I'm almost ashamed to admit it - I, too, don't know enough about it.....
I wonder if any of you know if "White Nose Syndrom" (the disease bats have been heavily afflicted with, and so many were wiped out by it) could have anything to do with GMOs, especially because bats' primary diet is bugs...
I have considered that myself Wendy. There are gmo foods that are designed so that when the bug eats the plant their stomach's explode! I wouldn't be surprised if this is effecting bats and other bug eating creatures. I know I raise an eyebrow when I hear of all the stomach and bowel related issues more and more human's and pets are experiencing. How can they not think about what that same thing does to our intestines?
Now, I'm not a "prepper" type or anything like that, more someone who feels if the information is out there on certain subjects, I should go ahead and inform myself. I have a pretty good BS filter though (aliens run the government? I think NOT). My family refers to me as a "tree hugger", "earth muffin", "bark licker" and I'm sure call me a conspiracy nut behind my back
Back to the topic of GMO's for parrots though
Now, I'm not a "prepper" type or anything like that, more someone who feels if the information is out there on certain subjects, I should go ahead and inform myself. I have a pretty good BS filter though (aliens run the government? I think NOT). My family refers to me as a "tree hugger", "earth muffin", "bark licker" and I'm sure call me a conspiracy nut behind my back
Back to the topic of GMO's for parrots though
While this research and list would be great in theory I think it would be difficult to get companies to tell you if they use gmo or not. Aside from listing what pellets are organic and which are not I don't know how much further this could go. They don't have to say for human consumption so I highly doubt they would volunteer that information as it applies to our parrots.
I have bought all that I know of that are organic pellets to sample and try and I can tell you my least favorite is TOPS it smells and looks like rabbit food and the beaks unanimously went in the air when I offered that stinky stuff!
The scary part is, there is no way for a consumer to make an informed decision. There is no labeling on GMO foods, but there is organic (which is not GMO) and many brands now label their products as non-GMO because they are proud of that fact (look for this label on packaged foods that contain soy, wheat and corn):
This may also help (list of GMO products to avoid):
Top 10 Worst GMO Foods for Your GMO Foods List | Natural Society
The best course of action I have found with this type of health issue is to do an elimination diet. Take out the most common offenders such as dairy, gluten, soy, wheat and corn including high fructose corn syrup.
On this you are going to be eating lots of fresh fruits and veggies (meats if you eat them though I would stay with chicken or fish). Really look at any processed or prepared foods because there are a zillion different names for corn, soy and wheat. If you get anything like that go for ones that clearly say no gluten to be safe.
There are some fairly decent breads made with spelt and quinoa is a great choice for warm, fill you up food plus you can add things to it to make it savory or sweet. I recently found pasta made out of quinoa and it is really wonderful! Eat some raw unsalted almonds or nuts just not peanuts for another fill you up snack. Stay with the clean diet for at least 4 to 6 weeks then start slowly one item at a time adding back the ones you have eliminated and watch how your body responds.
to stay away from processed foods (sickening how EVERYTHING has sugar added even if not HFCS), I would eat 'just enough' carbs (whole grain) but not overboard as is very easy to do, lots of veggies... . I need to find a whole foods market somewhere again. Since we moved (only 30 miles away), there are none of that type of store in this particular area I was so shocked to find out .
The best course of action I have found with this type of health issue is to do an elimination diet. Take out the most common offenders such as dairy, gluten, soy, wheat and corn including high fructose corn syrup.
On this you are going to be eating lots of fresh fruits and veggies (meats if you eat them though I would stay with chicken or fish). Really look at any processed or prepared foods because there are a zillion different names for corn, soy and wheat. If you get anything like that go for ones that clearly say no gluten to be safe.
There are some fairly decent breads made with spelt and quinoa is a great choice for warm, fill you up food plus you can add things to it to make it savory or sweet. I recently found pasta made out of quinoa and it is really wonderful! Eat some raw unsalted almonds or nuts just not peanuts for another fill you up snack. Stay with the clean diet for at least 4 to 6 weeks then start slowly one item at a time adding back the ones you have eliminated and watch how your body responds.
Having been into the fitness lifestyle since I was a teen, as I got older, I had learned the importance of a "good" diet as well. In more recent years, I had bouts of trying (a lot of the time :54
BUT I was finding that my digestive system is extremely intolerant to many vegetables (only maybe in the past 4-5 years), so have to only eat the ones that agree with me now. Even many grain products will give me digestive distress! What the heck?! It is so hard for me to eat anything anymore without taking a ton of enzyme pills, etc.
Interesting thing is that, like I say, I have not always had these problems... I really should see a GI specialist. I HAVE done elimination of foods to see what the worst culprits were, and sadly that leaves my choices more narrow than I'd like nowdays. So NOW... I am wondering if I am just getting to much GMO or chemicals that are now affecting me... Perhaps?
Ps.. I know this thread is about the birds
