The Fruit 'n' Yogurt Diet

[Ryan]

Fruit and Yogurt Mix
1 large can (approx. 800 g./28 oz.) of unsweetened mango pulp. If unavailable, canned peaches (in juice or light syrup) will do.
1 small to medium very ripe banana
1 or 2 soft pears
3-4 figs
One or two other fruits. They love peach, mango, pear, banana, dates, figs, grapes and all manner of berries - especially strawberries. Just about any fruit will do, but try not to use citrus fruit.

All the fruit is blended until smooth and then poured into a mixing bowl.

Stir in 100 grams (one individual serving size container) of low fat yogurt, plain or any non-citrus fruit flavour. Any brand will do, but the 'live' bacterial culture provides extra benefits so it's the preferred kind.

Stir until well mixed and pour into ice cube trays. Cover the trays or put them into freezer bags to prevent freezer burn. Thaw and serve at room temperature.
Supplements can be added at serving time if needed.

Original Post

Enjoy!

[Chaotic]

I was told that reptiles cant digest dairy. I use AcidophiLiz+ and it even says on there that dairy is bad for them. Just wondering, and hoping some one can clear this up.

[Gecko Brothel]

It is my understanding that the cresties have no problem digesting the lactose since the bacteria in the yogurt culture converts it to a safe form. Hilde I am sure can give you a much better/detailed explanation. Once a week I give my breeding fat tail breeders a bit of this mixture and they love it. Hilde has fed her cresties with this regiment at least 8 years substituting with variety and has never had a problem. The key is to make sure you supplement correctly.

[Hilde]

Yogurt is a cultured milk product wherein Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria have been added to the milk in order to aid in the digestion of lactose (milk sugar). Lactose intolerant people and most animals do have problems with milk and milk products, but the majority of them can safely consume yogurt made using live bacteria cultures.

There's a lot of info on the usefulness of yogurt at

Live, Active and Probiotic: The Yogurt Culture

By Pat Kendall, Ph.D., R.D. Food Science and Human Nutrition Specialist Colorado State University Cooperative Extension

"The claim most substantiated is yogurt's beneficial effect on digestion in some individuals. People who are lactose intolerant have a hard time digesting milk products because they lack the enzyme that breaks down the main carbohydrate in milk. Yogurt is a unique dairy food because the starter cultures actually produce that enzyme during fermentation. Thus, the milk sugar in yogurt is more easily digested, even for lactose-intolerant individuals. Many people who commonly experience gas, bloating or discomfort from dairy foods can digest yogurt more easily, thanks to the starter cultures. This is especially true if the yogurt contains live cultures. Claims regarding the usefulness of probiotics in reducing the risk of intestinal infections also seem to have some merit. Studies have shown, for example, that children suffering from chronic diarrhea recover faster when fed yogurt with probiotic cultures. Adults suffering from traveler's diarrhea also seem to benefit. Scientists attribute this to probiotics' apparent ability to create an acidic environment that inhibits harmful bacteria."


Granted, it is geared towards human consumers, but the basics of digestion are the same in reptiles. The Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria convert the lactose to a more digestible form for reptiles as well as us. I've used it for treats, tonics after medication, as a supplement for recovering reptiles and the base for bug slurry for sick reptiles who aren't eating on their own (never used on a snake, so I have no clue how/if it works with them). If I'd noticed any problems digesting the yogurt or slurry, I would have stopped using it years ago. There's never been any sign of discomfort, diarrhea or other negative signs or symptoms. If anything, I can credit the yogurt for saving at least a dozen gecko and cham lives in either my collection or rescues I took in.

I've fed it to sickly weak and thin leopard geckos, some of whom had lost weight to almost nothing before the (former) owners smartened up and got them treated for intestinal parasites. It's also great for sick leos (and other geckos) who can't or won't hunt bugs. I've noticed a definite weight gain in most leos within a week, at most a couple of weeks. Of course, like anything else, some geckos just don't improve, so don't think I'm passing this off as a cure-all, but it sure does work wonders in most sick geckos, and the nutrition it supplies is fantastic. Part of the charm of the yogurt is the live bacterial culture. The Lactobacillus acidophilus is one of the bacteria naturally occuring in the gut. If you check the ingredients on some tonics like Probiotics, you'll see it listed there. Basically, the live culture yogurt helps replenish some of the natural bacterial fauna that might be lost or insufficient in sick animals due to any number of things including side effects of medication.


If you check the ingredients in Acidophiliz+ you'll see the same Lactobacillus Acidophilus listed as in live culture yogurt.
Pet Authority Acidophiliz+

Product Ingredients

Triple Filtered Spring Water
Lactobacillus Acidophilus Cultures
Yucca Shidigera
Papaya Puree
Calcium
Vitamin A
Vitamin B1
Vitamin B2
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B12
Vitamin C
Vitamin D3
Vitamin E

Factor in that yogurt also has other nutrients such as protein, I'd say that yogurt is much better in the long run.

[JayHay]

Excellent explaination Hilde - thanks for taking the time to write that up as it was very interesting.

[Gecko Brothel]

Wow, now I understand why I couldn't remember all that! Thanks again Hilde!

[Hilde]

I couldn't remember all that either, I kind of cheat sometimes. This is one of the posts I wrote up years ago, saved as a template and then just adjust as needed. It's mostly copy/paste, not much memory needed.

[Chaotic]

WOW! Thx for the reply, that is very good to know. I wasnt doubting you or anything, I just wanted to make sure. Thx again!

[Hilde]

WOW! Thx for the reply, that is very good to know. I wasnt doubting you or anything, I just wanted to make sure. Thx again!

A doubting Thomas eventually gets the right info, so that's okay in my books. I always check 'the facts' myself, no matter what the source, that's why I included links to my references and my own experience.

[Aspire5020]

Now this is just a naive comment, so please excuse me but... I just want to make sure I care for the gecko that I soon will have the best I can


Im just curious though, with regards to supplementation. I can definetly see how they could stay healthy upon all that there, except Im concerned about one thing. With this, would there be need of supplementation and if so, how much?

[Ciliatus]

Wow, sounds good Hilde, Im gonna whip up a batch soon. It sounds like the Cresties really love it, and maybe I can eat it, lol (just kiddin')

[Gecko Brothel]

Wow, sounds good Hilde, Im gonna whip up a batch soon. It sounds like the Cresties really love it, and maybe I can eat it, lol (just kiddin')

The reason I don't add supplements to this diet before freezing is that I can snitch the odd ice cube smoothie if I want It makes for a nice healthy cool treat! Just don't think of it as gecko food lol

[Ciliatus]

Wow, sounds good Hilde, Im gonna whip up a batch soon. It sounds like the Cresties really love it, and maybe I can eat it, lol (just kiddin')

The reason I don't add supplements to this diet before freezing is that I can snitch the odd ice cube smoothie if I want It makes for a nice healthy cool treat! Just don't think of it as gecko food lol

LoL

[Hilde]

In any given year, I make about 10 gallons of the mix.... and beleive me, I don't have THAT many Rhacs to feed it to
Try mixing in an equal amount of softened ice cream for a really good milkshake. Or if you're old enough, a bit of rum or wine to help you sleep on these hot muggy summer nights.

[Gecko Brothel]

In any given year, I make about 10 gallons of the mix.... and beleive me, I don't have THAT many Rhacs to feed it to
Try mixing in an equal amount of softened ice cream for a really good milkshake. Or if you're old enough, a bit of rum or wine to help you sleep on these hot muggy summer nights.

I have actually tried it with some vodka and lets put it this way "nothing better than a vodka smoothie" on a hot summer day and knowing that it is all good and healthy for us!