According to Clinical Nutritionist Phyllis Balch, in her book “Prescription for Nutritional Healing”, sprouts (not soaked seed, but sprouts) are the most abundant source of enzymes available.  Although all raw foods contain enzymes, the amounts present in sprouts can be 10 to 100 times greater than the amounts that are present in raw fresh fruits and vegetables.

The enzymes present in sprouts also enable more efficient digestion. The starch in a sprout’s cell wall is easily converted into simple sugars, because amylase, the enzyme that breaks down starch, was formed during the sprouting process.  Protein digestion is enhanced by the creation of protease, and the lipase produced transforms fats into water soluble fatty acid components.

Like enzymes, proteins are also essential to life. Proteins form the structural basis of chromosomes. Each DNA strand contains the genetic code that is the formula for making that cell’s unique protein chain.  Proteins are the primary building blocks that make up every cell in the body. Proteins build healthy muscles, blood, skin, feathers, nails and vital internal organs. Proteins are essential for proper growth, development and a well functioning immune system. Every biochemical process in the body depends on adequate levels of complete protein being consumed in the diet.  Because the sprouting process converts complex protein chains into their basic amino acids, feeding a sprouting blend that contains all the essential amino acids provides an easily digested source of complete protein.

Protein chains are composed of amino acids. Amino acids are grouped into two classes – essential and nonessential ones. Nonessential amino acids can be synthesized by the body if all the needed nutrients are available, while essential amino acids must be consumed in the diet.

Foods that contain proteins are either complete or incomplete protein sources. Complete protein foods contain all the essential amino acids. Meat, fish, poultry and eggs are complete protein foods. Milk and cheese also contain complete proteins – however, parrots should never be fed dairy products.  Birds lack the digestive enzyme lactase that is required to digest the protein lactose in these foods. Feeding a parrot a food they cannot digest is an invitation to digestive difficulties and other potential health problems.

When listing incomplete protein foods, these include all the plant-based foods that parrots typically eat.  Seeds, nuts, grains, cereals, beans, legumes, vegetables and fruit all contain incomplete proteins.  Parrots require ten essential amino acids in their daily diet. Six of these essential amino acids are available in a wide variety of foods. However, four of them – isoleucine, lysine, tryptophan, and methionine – are only present in sufficient quantities in certain foods.

So how can you ensure that your bird is receiving a balance of essential amino acids from plant-based foods?  The key to providing sprouts that contain all of the essential amino acids is to use a blend that has been specially formulated to provide complete protein.  The Best Bird Food Ever! Original Sprouting Blend is a100% organic mixture that has been specially formulated to     provide a balanced ratio of all the essential amino acids.

With the concepts of proper food combining fresh in your mind, now you can understand why birds who are fed an abundance of dry seeds are eating a diet that is protein deficient.  Ensuring that your birds receive a proper balance of all the essential amino acids – the building blocks of protein – is vital to their health and well being.

There are several reason that seeds, nuts, grains or legumes will not sprout.  Poor quality and the age of the food you are trying to sprout are both factors. If a seed, nut, grain or legume is no longer viable and cannot germinate – it is dead.  Sproutable foods from organic sources are fresh and will readily grow for you.  The Best Bird Food Ever! sprouting blend is a proprietary blend of 100% organic human-grade quality ingredients with compatible germination rates.  This means that the ingredients in our sprouting blends grow at a rate congruent with the other ingredients in the blend.

Why is it that – when discussing sprouting for birds – the next area of concern is bacteria? Sprouts are a living food. They are the only food that is alive right up until the moment they are eaten.  Depending upon the climate where you live, learning to grow your sprouts using GSE (Grapefruit Seed extract) can make all the difference regarding your success or failure.  GSE is an all natural antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic.  Using GSE when you sprout for your birds will help eliminate the bacteria problem, and alleviate your concerns.

Experience has shown that 70 to 90 percent of the birds introduced to sprouts enthusiastically eat them the first time.  Parrots have an instinctive ability for selecting and eating foods that have medicinal properties, or are rich in nutrients that their bodies need.

So where can you find a fresh supply of sprouts that provides a balance of all the essential amino acids?  The best source of fresh sprouts for your birds is to grow them yourself.   And the most comprehensive book available on this topic is “The Complete Guide to Successful Sprouting for Parrots”. This detailed guide reinforces their healthful benefits and superior nutritional qualities, while simplifying the process of growing, caring for, and feeding sprouts to your birds. Learn how to use GSE when sprouting.  Discover how to tailor your sprouting process to suit the climate of the area you live in.

An entire chapter is dedicated to the topic of helping your birds learn to enjoy  – and look forward to receiving – their dish of tasty, nutritious sprouts.  When sprouts are fed as the foundation food, along with a wide selection of organic fresh fruits, vegetables and species specific nuts, you are providing the highest quality nutrition possible.

Avian veterinarians around the world agree that malnutrition is the leading cause of illness, disease and premature death in captive parrots. This statistic tragic – especially since malnutrition can easily be prevented.  Begin using the same criteria that experienced breeders and parrot rescue groups use when scrutinizing which foods to feed their parrots.  They must see specific results – improved health, increased longevity, better temperament and behavior, and beautiful plumage.

Sprouts – containing a balance of essential amino acids providing  complete protein – supply a wealth of nutrients that are easily assimilated and utilized by the body.  Introduce your flock to the superior nutrition of sprouts and watch your birds transform before your eyes as they receive the benefits only this outstanding super food can provide.

As you do this you’ll be joining with thousands of parrot lovers around the globe in preventing avian malnutrition – and its destructive impact – one parrot at a time.  Learn how easy it is to begin feeding sprouts today.

Leslie Moráan and friends © Leslie Morán

Leslie Morán has been a professional in the area of natural animal health care for nearly 30 years. She owns and operates Critter Connection (www.MoransCritterConnection.com). By providing diet, nutrition, health and behavior consultations to companion animals, she helps her clients achieve the results they desire. She is well published, with articles appearing in several US and international avian publications. Her regular monthly column, “The Holistic Parrot”, appears in “Parrots” magazine. Morán is passionate about raising awareness of avian nutritional needs. The goal of her book, Sprouting Kits and the 100% Organic Sprouting Blends (www.BestBirdFoodEver.com), is to eliminate malnutrition – and its destructive impact – one parrot at a time.