Raw beet okay?

I began months ago by steaming his beet, then realized that microwaving one (cut into chunks) in a shallow bowl of water cooked them pretty good. Plus faster and easier.

I just gave him raw for the first time, to see. He’s not going after it immediately like he does the cooked, but I fed him his morning fresh bowl very late today and I don’t think he’s hungry. We’ll see soon.

Is this okay for him?

Also, the individual posting this has the honor of receiving the lowest Chemistry grade for the 1974 graduating class of South Shore High School, Brooklyn. A 40. (I gave up after the 3rd day. I couldn’t even balance H2O.)

This low grade is an honor that I’ve cherished through the ensuing decades, but I seem to recall that when heated, some compounds either decrease or increase sugar content, like the reason cooked corn is sweeter. So could raw beet be lower in sugar than cooked?

People do it all of the time w/ birds. I would avoid feeding straight beet-juice, as it can have some strange impacts on people--- but as long as you scrub them really well (due to the dirt etc on the outside and then cook or feed the inside raw, I wouldn't worry too much.
I WOULD peel off the outer portion.

Can't help you with chemistry-- hated it....HATED it..more of a biology gal myself...I think I actually preferred freaking physics to chemistry and I HATED physics too! lol

Every once in a while I like to post this link for an inexpensive microwave steamer. Usually steams in under a couple of minutes. When I bought this in 2016 it was $5.95 but the price has more than doubled to $13 and change. Still a great little steamer.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IC3YH10/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

As long as you peel outside and wash it, feeding raw beetroot is fine (at least for budgies).

bill_e said:

Every once in a while I like to post this link for an inexpensive microwave steamer. Usually steams in under a couple of minutes. When I bought this in 2016 it was $5.95 but the price has more than doubled to $13 and change. Still a great little steamer.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IC3YH10/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Click to expand...

I do like steamers, but I prefer the stainless , in-pot variety, as plastic leaches into the air and cooking water sometimes.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url...ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCLi3g7SYkeoCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

noodles123 said:

bill_e said:

Every once in a while I like to post this link for an inexpensive microwave steamer. Usually steams in under a couple of minutes. When I bought this in 2016 it was $5.95 but the price has more than doubled to $13 and change. Still a great little steamer.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IC3YH10/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Click to expand...

I do like steamers, but I prefer the stainless , in-pot variety, as plastic leaches into the air and cooking water sometimes.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url...ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCLi3g7SYkeoCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

Click to expand...

It’s more a matter of time. The microwave is so much faster.

Pianotes said:

As long as you peel outside and wash it, feeding raw beetroot is fine (at least for budgies).

Click to expand...

Do you use the stems at all? I never did.

But they LOOK delicious.

Beet greens are edible for people and birds, but they may need to be cooked for parrots.... (not sure). They can definitely be cooked and eaten.
This site stipulates "cooked" when referring to the beet greens...DK how legit it is, but it was one of the first hits on Google- https://www.omlet.co.uk/guide/parrots/parrot_food/fruit_and_veg
Honestly, they wilt and start to go bad pretty fast in the fridge, so even if the actual leaves aren't toxic when raw (which is unknown) I would worry about the mud and bacterial potential---which is why I would cook the greens...that's just me maybe.

You could blanch them for the bird (I think???) I guess it depends on whether they actually NEED to be cooked, but I imagine blanching would kill some bacteria etc...

For yourself, eat raw with oil, some form of acid, salt, garlic, pepper etc...or saute with olive oil, salt, acid (like lemon juice) garlic (fresh), black pepper, pepper flakes etc---NO GARLIC OR SALT FOR BIRD...obviously...or lemon juice, honestly-- IF they can eat them raw (which I am not sure), they are bitter.

noodles123 said:

Beet greens are edible. Not sure about the raw ones for birds though--probably, but uncertain. They can definitely be cooked and eaten.

Click to expand...

So the red stems too?

Things are so much easier when you have kids. Or is it?

We just feed the kids jars of Gerbers, but that CAN’T be better than the way most of us are feeding our birds.

Ira7 said:

noodles123 said:

Beet greens are edible. Not sure about the raw ones for birds though--probably, but uncertain. They can definitely be cooked and eaten.

Click to expand...

So the red stems too?

Click to expand...

I mean, the red stems can be eaten by people-- I am not sure if the raw ones are safe for birds. If they are cooked, I believe they are...but don't quote me.
I, PERSONALLY grew up eating them (stems and leaves).
I can say with certainty that cooked or raw beets are okay for parrots..
Not certain about the RAW greens/stems...some sites imply that they need to be cooked ---in my mind, "greens" include the stem...but again- I haven't tested this on Noodles lol..sooo. When it comes to the leaves, I would steam or blanch for the bird (until you know for sure--but if you blanch, research to make sure you do it long enough, as that may not be long enough if they are poisonous raw) but Google around and maybe see what others say.

EDIT: At least 1 site says raw beet greens can be toxic to dogs, so delve in further before feeding them (you will need to know what temperature to cook them at etc).

noodles123 said:

Ira7 said:

noodles123 said:

Beet greens are edible. Not sure about the raw ones for birds though--probably, but uncertain. They can definitely be cooked and eaten.

Click to expand...

So the red stems too?

Click to expand...

I mean, the red stems can be eaten by people-- I am not sure if the raw ones are safe for birds. If they are cooked, I believe they are...but don't quote me.
I, PERSONALLY grew up eating them (stems and leaves).
I can say with certainty that cooked or raw beets are okay for parrots..
Not certain about the RAW greens...some sites imply that they need to be cooked ---but in my mind, "greens" include the stem...but again- I haven't tested this on Noodles lol.

Click to expand...

That was my main question. Forget about raw.

Since beets are such a big part of his diet...I’ve only given him the actual beet...

I’ve been throwing out the greens, and didn’t know if the greens included those stems/stalks.

I’m going to the supermarket now to do a major Archie shopping, and he needs beets. So maybe tonight, I’ll just give him the cooked greens.

Ira7 said:

noodles123 said:

Ira7 said:

So the red stems too?

Click to expand...

I mean, the red stems can be eaten by people-- I am not sure if the raw ones are safe for birds. If they are cooked, I believe they are...but don't quote me.
I, PERSONALLY grew up eating them (stems and leaves).
I can say with certainty that cooked or raw beets are okay for parrots..
Not certain about the RAW greens...some sites imply that they need to be cooked ---but in my mind, "greens" include the stem...but again- I haven't tested this on Noodles lol.

Click to expand...

That was my main question. Forget about raw.

Since beets are such a big part of his diet...I’ve only given him the actual beet...

I’ve been throwing out the greens, and didn’t know if the greens included those stems/stalks.

I’m going to the supermarket now to do a major Archie shopping, and he needs beets. So maybe tonight, I’ll just give him the cooked greens.

Click to expand...

Trust, but verify-I could be wrong. When I talk about greens, I mean both, but not sure about the parrot community.

noodles123 said:

Ira7 said:

noodles123 said:

I mean, the red stems can be eaten by people-- I am not sure if the raw ones are safe for birds. If they are cooked, I believe they are...but don't quote me.
I, PERSONALLY grew up eating them (stems and leaves).
I can say with certainty that cooked or raw beets are okay for parrots..
Not certain about the RAW greens...some sites imply that they need to be cooked ---but in my mind, "greens" include the stem...but again- I haven't tested this on Noodles lol.

Click to expand...

That was my main question. Forget about raw.

Since beets are such a big part of his diet...I’ve only given him the actual beet...

I’ve been throwing out the greens, and didn’t know if the greens included those stems/stalks.

I’m going to the supermarket now to do a major Archie shopping, and he needs beets. So maybe tonight, I’ll just give him the cooked greens.

Click to expand...

Trust, but verify-I could be wrong. When I talk about greens, I mean both, but not sure about the parrot community.

Click to expand...

I saw this post when you first posted it, but it took me 2 weeks to properly reply:

I never thought I would see a Ronald Reagan quote on parrotforums.com.

I thought he raised bunny rabbits.

Ira7 said:

noodles123 said:

Ira7 said:

That was my main question. Forget about raw.

Since beets are such a big part of his diet...I’ve only given him the actual beet...

I’ve been throwing out the greens, and didn’t know if the greens included those stems/stalks.

I’m going to the supermarket now to do a major Archie shopping, and he needs beets. So maybe tonight, I’ll just give him the cooked greens.

Click to expand...

Trust, but verify-I could be wrong. When I talk about greens, I mean both, but not sure about the parrot community.

Click to expand...

I saw this post when you first posted it, but it took me 2 weeks to properly reply:

I never thought I would see a Ronald Reagan quote on parrotforums.com.

I thought he raised bunny rabbits.

Click to expand...

LOL---It's originally a Russian proverb: Doveryáy, no proveryáy (technically)
Pronunciation sort of sounds like: " die-veer-ee-eye no pry-vear ee-eye"
He just made it more popular in the US ha