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Mealies as a protein source
#636339
09/15/08 11:54 AM
09/15/08 11:54 AM
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Monster
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Monster
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I have heard many people on this board telling new glider owners that mealies are more of a treat than a food item because they are too fatty - I felt this should be addressed. Below, you will see nutrition facts on three typical protein sources offered to gliders: mealies, eggs, and boiled chicken breast. (Courtesy of Grubco & the USDA Nutrition Database) Eggs have a tiny bit less fat than mealies, but they also have considerably less protein than mealies offer. Chicken has more favorable percentages. I have issues with the chicken, or rather the misconceptions associated with feeding chicken - Not many gliders like the chicken, so they tend to leave it behind. Priscilla's diet actually calls for 20 mealies per glider every other day (rotating with the chicken & egg mixes), many people do not feed as many mealies because of this stereotype that they are bad for their gliders, if your glider is one of the many who will not eat chicken, then their base protein source is egg (and I've already discussed why eggs aren't as good a protein source as mealies). In addition to this information is the fact that gliders are insect eaters by nature (in combination with other items). I know that we cannot totally replicate a wild glider diet, however, I have always believed that the closer we get to it, the healthier our captive gliders will be. If your glider eats the chicken - Hooray! But if they don't, please don't discount mealies as they are a perfectly acceptable protein source. Egg:Fat 12% Protein 11% Boiled Chicken Breast:Fat 5.3% Protein 30% Mealies:Fat: 12.7% Protein: 20.3%
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Re: Mealies as a protein source
[Re: ]
#636342
09/15/08 11:57 AM
09/15/08 11:57 AM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,788 Cleveland, Ohio
sugarglidersuz
Glideritis Anonymous
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Glideritis Anonymous
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,788
Cleveland, Ohio
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Very interesting, Gina. Thanks for researching this
Suz Enyedy Carina & Coobah Allira & Gizmo Picasso, Trinity Joy & Luna DaisyMae; Darwin; Mareki; Mambo; Pika; Cricky; Reggie & Bobo, Pepe & Bittah Suz' Sugar Gliders
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Re: Mealies as a protein source
[Re: ]
#636391
09/15/08 01:20 PM
09/15/08 01:20 PM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,667 Long Island, NY
Gossamer
Glider Slave
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Glider Slave
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,667
Long Island, NY
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Great post. I was always amazed that some people don't feed insects at all when it is such a huge part of a wild sugar glider's diet.
Jeannine 3 Cats (Spike, Kismet, Honeycat) 1 understanding Husband 1 WFB Neutered Glider boy - Grissom! (oop 8/7/06) 1 BB Glider girl- Willows! (oop 1/7/07)
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Re: Mealies as a protein source
[Re: Gossamer]
#636456
09/15/08 02:43 PM
09/15/08 02:43 PM
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,830 USA
SugarBlossoms
Serious Glideritis
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Serious Glideritis
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USA
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Gina, thanks for posting that I am wondering about eggs and cholesterol. There are many gliders that are overweight and have heart failure. I was told to use the "natural" eggs that have 30% less cholesterol in them. Do we know if the mealies contain cholesterol or how much? I'll go look it up. Edited to say...I can't find anything about it online so far.
Last edited by SugarBlossoms; 09/15/08 02:50 PM.
Keeper of Handprints on my Heart, You left your Footprints on my soul. My precious loves that left to quickly, Peanut, Katie Isabella, Kiwi, Bonnie and Monroe.
Spread your wings and glide free of pain, Until the day I see you again.
God speed my precious angels. I love you. Mama.
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Re: Mealies as a protein source
[Re: SugarBlossoms]
#636459
09/15/08 02:51 PM
09/15/08 02:51 PM
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Monster
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Monster
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Hmm, never heard that about "natural" eggs, but regular eggs are 0.04% cholesterol - I don't know about cholesterol in mealies, that is one of the stats that Grubco didn't have (and they claim to be the only supplier to have done this testing).
If you find something, do post - I'm sure there are plenty of other interested parties...
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Re: Mealies as a protein source
[Re: ]
#636463
09/15/08 02:59 PM
09/15/08 02:59 PM
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,645 Ohio
Guerita135
Glider Addict
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Glider Addict
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Ohio
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Most gliders don't like chicken? MAybe you should tell that to all MY gliders cause when they get chicken they act like it's the last piece of food on the planet! Great post, btw, I'm glad to see that eggs and mealies are about the same cause when I'm out of HPW I usually skip it a day and give them eggs instead. I guess nex time I'll just load their plates with mealies since they don't all like eggs.
~Nicole~ Proudly enslaved by lots of silly suggies, 3 crazy kitties, a huffy hedgie, and a pretty puppy!
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Re: Mealies as a protein source
[Re: Guerita135]
#636465
09/15/08 03:03 PM
09/15/08 03:03 PM
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,830 USA
SugarBlossoms
Serious Glideritis
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Serious Glideritis
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,830
USA
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Gina, the eggs I use are called Eggland's Best.
I still can't find anything else on mealies. lol
Keeper of Handprints on my Heart, You left your Footprints on my soul. My precious loves that left to quickly, Peanut, Katie Isabella, Kiwi, Bonnie and Monroe.
Spread your wings and glide free of pain, Until the day I see you again.
God speed my precious angels. I love you. Mama.
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Re: Mealies as a protein source
[Re: Guerita135]
#636482
09/15/08 03:27 PM
09/15/08 03:27 PM
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Monster
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Monster
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Most gliders don't like chicken? MAybe you should tell that to all MY gliders cause when they get chicken they act like it's the last piece of food on the planet! LOL - everyone has their favorites, I'm lucky to get them to even take a bite of it. And when I used to make all three mixes, they barely ate on chicken night - they would just pick out the veggies... Glad to hear you have "health concious" gliders
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Re: Mealies as a protein source
[Re: Janie]
#636566
09/15/08 05:30 PM
09/15/08 05:30 PM
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,742 in my happy place
sugarlope
Glideritis Anonymous
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Glideritis Anonymous
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,742
in my happy place
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My concern with going solely with mealies for a protein source in Priscilla's diet is primarily the fat content to be honest. But I also think that a variety of proteins is good for them, so introducing adult insects and alternate sources of insect protein would be helpful in evening out the single protein source. Silkworms have a really good protein/fat ratio. Feeder roaches are also incredibly clean and very healthy.
~Gretchen
If we never loved, then maybe we would never feel pain. Love anyway. It's worth it.
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Re: Mealies as a protein source
[Re: ]
#636569
09/15/08 05:37 PM
09/15/08 05:37 PM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,015 MA
pappy1264
Glideritis Anonymous
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Glideritis Anonymous
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Posts: 11,015
MA
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My gliders do eat the chicken (thankfully) but will not touch egg, so I don't use that. I also felt this way about mealies. Thank you for posting that, Gina!
Timmy, Gidget(RIP), Bandit, Petey(RIP), Phoebe, Jake (RIP) Piper(RIP), Pru(RIP), Paige, Cole, Molly(RIP), Oliver, Wyatt, Roo(RIP), Romeo, Pennie, Mandy(RIP), Madison, Garth, Kikipoo, Stasia, Bella, Petunia(RIP), Helen, Sydney, Kizzy and Sweet Pea's mom, Mary
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Re: Mealies as a protein source
[Re: pappy1264]
#636573
09/15/08 05:52 PM
09/15/08 05:52 PM
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Nihm
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Nihm
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Hooray! I must say I am RE-impressed with Glider Central every day, after taking such a long break from the forum and then returning 2 years later, I am very happy to see such awesome info being shared!
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Re: Mealies as a protein source
[Re: ]
#636594
09/15/08 06:28 PM
09/15/08 06:28 PM
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JanMichelle
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JanMichelle
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>>My concern with going solely with mealies for a protein source in Priscilla's diet is primarily the fat content to be honest. But I also think that a variety of proteins is good for them<< I feed my gliders Pricilla's diet. If I am understanding your post correctly, you are stating that her diet uses mealies only for the protein source. If that is what you meant, it is INCORRECT. Eggs or chicken mixes are served each day (alternating the egg batch and the chicken batch). Every other day, mealies are added in addition to the mix, not in place of it.
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Re: Mealies as a protein source
[Re: ]
#636608
09/15/08 06:46 PM
09/15/08 06:46 PM
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lindayaks
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lindayaks
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Feeder roaches are also incredibly clean and very healthy. My gliders loooooove roaches. Unfortunately they're not the healthy kind, and I've baited them. Where do you get the feeder roaches?
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Re: Mealies as a protein source
[Re: BeckiT]
#636624
09/15/08 07:11 PM
09/15/08 07:11 PM
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7glider7
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7glider7
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Does anyone have the protein ratio on roaches or crickets? My vet said they were higher in protein than mealies were...I didn't actually know that eggs were about as fatty as mealies though! This is really educational!
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Re: Mealies as a protein source
[Re: ]
#636630
09/15/08 07:18 PM
09/15/08 07:18 PM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,071 home
ORsuggiemomma
Glider Slave
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Glider Slave
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Posts: 2,071
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GREAT Post! I am glad this has been brought up, because I have been seeing A TON of conflicting "facts" about Mealies also!
and none of my gliders seem to care much for chicken either...they love eggs tho:)
Wifey to Frankstone Mother to~ Nathan(5) and Drea(3) and slave to 4 perfect sugar gliders:glider: Lightning Mater Trinity Eilonwy
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Re: Mealies as a protein source
[Re: ]
#636649
09/15/08 07:59 PM
09/15/08 07:59 PM
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 21,060 Kansas
LSardou
Glideritis Anonymous
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Glideritis Anonymous
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 21,060
Kansas
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Does anyone have the protein ratio on roaches or crickets? My vet said they were higher in protein than mealies were...I didn't actually know that eggs were about as fatty as mealies though! This is really educational! Grubco's Nutritional Chart
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Re: Mealies as a protein source
[Re: MatchMakerMagic]
#636654
09/15/08 08:05 PM
09/15/08 08:05 PM
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7glider7
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7glider7
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Huh, so I guess crickets are similar in protein but lower in fat that mealies...that IS what my vet told me...looks like roaches are much more "nutritious" in terms of being high in protein and low in fat. Maybe I haven't seen the conflicting posts...I have posted in the past that mealworms tend to be more fatty than crickets since they are larval insects and you may want to limit them if you want your glider to lose weight...and mealworms ARE for fatty in comparison to crickets and roaches...but I definitely feel like if people are getting misinformation and eliminating mealies entirely or thinking they are "totally bad," that wouldn't be good at all Plus, there are a lot "worse" things than mealworms out there in terms of fat content....waxworms, for example.
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Re: Mealies as a protein source
[Re: sugarlope]
#636663
09/15/08 08:15 PM
09/15/08 08:15 PM
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Monster
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Monster
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Yes, any adult insect will have a lower fat content than larval stage bugs. I have been looking into lobster roaches - http://www.nyworms.com/roaches.htm - they have some good info on different types, but the lobsters seemed like the best fit for me & my gang. I just hope they eat them once I get them here, Lord knows I don't want pet roaches! My concern with going solely with mealies for a protein source in Priscilla's diet is primarily the fat content to be honest. I brought this up with my vet - she thinks the opposite, she feels that Pricilla's diet is too low in fat. She also asked that I switch to low or full fat plain yogurt instead of the nonfat that the diet calls for. The part of Priscilla's diet that may make your glider a bit pudgy is the carbs. Both Priscilla & my vet said that if weight was an issue, cut some of the oatmeal - not the worms. I do agree that adult insects are better if your gliders will eat them. My point in this post was to let people know that mealies are not a bad thing
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Re: Mealies as a protein source
[Re: ]
#636724
09/15/08 09:52 PM
09/15/08 09:52 PM
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,742 in my happy place
sugarlope
Glideritis Anonymous
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Glideritis Anonymous
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,742
in my happy place
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I brought this up with my vet - she thinks the opposite, she feels that Pricilla's diet is too low in fat. She also asked that I switch to low or full fat plain yogurt instead of the nonfat that the diet calls for. That makes sense to me as well, I use full fat yogurt with my gliders (after discussing it with my vet as well) just because of my concerns with Asperatame in non-fat yogurt. I do agree that adult insects are better if your gliders will eat them. My point in this post was to let people know that mealies are not a bad thing I completely agree, I don't think mealies are bad at all. In the other thread, my main concern was that people not just cut out all other protein without thinking everything through (such as other insect sources) which I did not make clear.
Last edited by sugarlope; 09/15/08 09:53 PM.
~Gretchen
If we never loved, then maybe we would never feel pain. Love anyway. It's worth it.
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Re: Mealies as a protein source
[Re: SugarBlossoms]
#636738
09/15/08 10:17 PM
09/15/08 10:17 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,983 Denton, TX
ValkyrieMome
Glideritis Anonymous
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Glideritis Anonymous
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Posts: 10,983
Denton, TX
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Gina, thanks for posting that I am wondering about eggs and cholesterol. There are many gliders that are overweight and have heart failure. I was told to use the "natural" eggs that have 30% less cholesterol in them. Do we know if the mealies contain cholesterol or how much? I'll go look it up. Edited to say...I can't find anything about it online so far. Four-legged animals do not have problems with cholesterol. Apparently, if we walked on 4 legs still, we wouldn't either. At least, that's what my vet tells me! Silk worms are a much higher source of protein, I believe. Have to look into it some more. But, thanks, Gina - I was one of the misinformed.
Alden "Animals can communicate quite well. And they do. And generally speaking, they are ignored." Alice Walker
Mom to Valhalla; 6 cats; 1 macaw; 2 hedgehogs; and very many great gliders!
(plus the 2 skin kids) valkyriegliders.com
Kyrie, nothing will ever fill the hole you left in my heart.
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