Below is a chart of foods that can be included in the diet you provide for your iguana. Many of these foods should only be fed on occasion and in moderation. Note that even foods labeled as staples should be rotated and used in different combinations. Make sure you refer to our Feeding Iguanas page for more details on feeding your iguana the proper foods. Included in this chart are photos for easy identification, various notes on how much you can feed, preparation advice, and a little bit of nutritional information. This list will occassionally be added to, and if you have any other foods that you would like us to list, please send us an email. For more detailed nutritional information on these and other foods, please refer to the web sites listed at the bottom of the page.
| STAPLE - These foods are good to feed an iguana on a regular basis, but don't forget to rotate them. OCCASIONAL - Best to feed these foods only on occasion. Overfeeding most of these foods can lead to serious health problems. Combined with a balanced mixture of staple foods on occasion (a few times a month) can provide an iguana the variety it needs. TREAT - These foods work good as a treat or snack. Some of these foods can be included as a regular part of the diet, but most are only occasional treats. TASTE OR COLOR ENHANCER - Occasionally added to a balanced mixture of foods to make the meal tastier and more interesting for the iguana. RARELY OR NEVER - Due to poor nutritional content, this food item is okay if offered only rarely, along with other, more nutritious greens and veggies. |
| Food | Photo* | Information Ca:P - Calcium:Phosphorus, Pro - Protein |
| Acorn squash |  | Good source of fiber. Rind should be discarded. Core and finely chop or shred. Ca:P 0.9:1 , Pro: 0.8%, Fat: 0.1%, Water: 88%, Fiber: 1.5% STAPLE VEGGIE |
| Alfalfa |  | STAPLE |
| Apples |  | Should be peeled, cored and finely chopped or shredded. Ca:P 0.6:1 , Pro: 0.15%, Fat: 0.3%, Water: 84.5%, Fiber: 1.9% OCCASIONAL |
| Asparagus |  | Very good source of protein. Should be finely chopped or shredded. Ca:P 0.38:1 , Pro: 2.3%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 92%, Fiber: 2.1% OCCASIONAL |
| Bananas |  | Only on occasion. Peels may also be fed, but only if they were organically grown. Ca:P 0.3:1 , Pro: 1%, Fat: 0.5%, Water: 75%, Fiber: 2.4% OCCASIONAL |
| Beets & beet greens |  | High in oxalates, so it should only be fed occasionally. Beets should be finely chopped. Greens are best when cut into larger pieces or strips. Stems should be finely chopped or discarded. Beets: Ca:P 0.4:1 , Pro: 1.6%, Fat: 0.17%, Water: 87%, Fiber: 2.8% Beet greens: Ca:P 3:1 , Pro: 1.8%, Fat: 0.06%, Water: 92%, Fiber: 3.7% OCCASIONAL |
| Bell peppers |  | Great for adding color and variety. This catagory includes red peppers, green peppers and other bell peppers. Should be cored and then finely chopped or shredded. (Nutritional information based on red peppers, but most other bell peppers are reasonably close to the same.) Ca:P 0.5:1 , Pro: 0.9%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 92%, Fiber: 2% GREAT TASTE/COLOR ENHANCER |
| Blackberries |  | Great for treats and regular part of fruit content. Ca:P 1.5:1, Pro: 0.7%, Fat: 0.4%, Water: 86%, Fiber: 5.3% OCCASIONAL |
| Bok choy |  | Also known as or equivalent to Chinese cabbage, bok choi, pak choi, and various other names. High in goitrogens. Cut green portion into large pieces or strips. White portion may be discarded or finely chopped. Ca:P 2.8:1, Pro: 1.5%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 95%, Fiber: 1% OCCASIONAL |
| Broccoli |  | High in oxalates and goitrogens and should only be fed on occasion. Cut into very small pieces or shred. Leaves can also be offered. Ca:P 0.7:1 , Pro: 3%, Fat: 0.4%, Water: 91%, Fiber: 3% OCCASIONAL |
| Brussels Sprouts |  | High in goitrogens and should only be fed on occasion. Should be finely chopped or shredded. Ca:P 0.6:1 , Pro: 3.3%, Fat: 0.3%, Water: 86%, Fiber: 3.8% OCCASIONAL |
| Butternut squash |  | Very good staple vegetable and excellent source of fiber. Should be peeled, cored and finely chopped or shredded. Ca:P 0.6:1, Pro: 1.2%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 94% STAPLE VEGGIE |
| Cabbage |  | High in goitrogens and should only be fed on occasion. Finely chop or shred. Ca:P 2:1 , Pro: 1.5%, Fat: 0.27%, Water: 92%, Fiber: 2.3% OCCASIONAL |
| Cactus leaves (prickly pear) |  | High in calcium. Should be finely chopped or shredded. Ca:P 2.32:1, Pro: 0.8%, Fat: 0.5% STAPLE FRUIT |
| Cantelope |  | Should be cored, rinds discarded and finely chopped. Great source of additional water content. Ca:P 0.7:1, Pro: 0.9%, Fat: 0.3%, Water: 90%, Fiber: 0.8% OCCASIONAL |
| Carrots |  | Should be peeled and finely shredded. (Carrot tops can be high in oxalates and should only be fed on occasion.) Ca:P 0.6:1, Pro: 1%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 88%, Fiber: 3% OCCASIONAL |
| Cauliflower |  | High in goitrogens and should only be fed occasionally. Should be finely chopped and shredded. Ca:P 1:2, Pro: 2%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 92%, Fiber: 2.5% OCCASIONAL |
| Celery |  | Should be very finely chopped or shredded. Ca:P 1.6:1 , Pro: 0.75%, Fat: 0.14%, Water: 95%, Fiber: 1.7% OCCASIONAL |
| Chicory greens (Escarole) |  | Excellent choice for greens and high in calcium. Best when cut into larger pieces or strips. Finely chop, shred, or discard stems. Store cut, dried pieces in plastic storage bag with other greens wrapped in paper towels. Squeeze air out of bag. Ca:P 1:0.9, Pro: 1.7%, Fat: 0.3%, Water: 92%, Fiber: 4% STAPLE GREEN (WHEN MIXED WITH OTHER GREENS) |
| Collard greens |  | Excellent choice for greens. High in calcium and somewhat high in goitrogrens. Best when cut into larger pieces or strips. Finely chop, shred, or discard stems. Store cut, dried pieces in plastic storage bag with other greens wrapped in paper towels. Squeeze air out of bag. Ca:P 14.5:1 , Pro: 2.5%, Fat: 0.4%, Water: 91%, Fiber: 3.6% STAPLE GREEN |
| Coriander (cilantro) |  | Good choice for an occasional green. High in oxalates. Finely chop. Ca:P 1.4:1 , Pro: 2.1%, Fat: 0.5%, Water: 92%, Fiber: 2.8% OCCASIONAL |
| Corn |  | Extremely low in calcium and high in phosphorus. Use sparingly and only if overall diet is loaded with calcium. Best if finely chopped. Ca:P 0.03:1 , Pro: 9.4%, Fat: 4.7%, Water: 10.4% RARELY OR NEVER |
| Cucumber |  | Lacks in nutrition, but okay on occasion for additional water and flavor. Ca:P 0.7:1 , Pro: 0.7%, Fat: 0.18%, Water: 96%, Fiber: 0.8% OCCASIONAL |
| Dahlia |  | Both flowers and leaves are okay to feed. Use caution and do not use plants that may have been treated with any pesticides or other chemicals. GREAT TREAT |
| Dandelion greens |  | Excellent choice for greens and high in calcium. Best when cut into larger pieces or strips. Finely chop, shred, or discard stems. Store cut, dried pieces in plastic storage bag with other greens wrapped in paper towels. Squeeze air out of bag. Use caution when using wild dandelion greens by making sure no pesticides or other chemicals have been used. Both the flowers and leaves are okay to feed. Ca:P 2.8:1, Pro: 2.7%, Fat: 0.7%, Water: 86%, Fiber: 3.5% STAPLE GREEN |
| Endive |  | Excellent choice for greens and high in calcium. Best when cut into larger pieces or strips. Finely chop, shred, or discard stems. Store cut, dried pieces in plastic storage bag with other greens wrapped in paper towels. Squeeze air out of bag. Ca:P 1.86:1, Pro: 1.2%, Fat: 0.4% STAPLE GREEN (WHEN MIXED WITH OTHER GREENS) |
| Grapes |  | High in oxalates. Should be crushed or chopped. Adult iguanas can eat whole grapes. Good source for additional water content. Ca:P 0.8:1, Pro: 0.7%, Fat: 0.6%, Water: 81%, Fiber: 1% OCCASIONAL AND/OR TREAT |
| Green beans |  | Also known as snap beans. Good choice for staple vegetable. Should be finely chopped or shredded. Ca:P 1:1 , Pro: 1.8%, Fat: 0.1%, Water: 90%, Fiber: 3.4% STAPLE VEGGIE |
| Hibiscus |  | Both flowers and leaves are okay to feed. Use caution and do not use plants that may have been treated with any pesticides or other chemicals. GREAT TREAT |
| Honeydew melon |  | Should be cored, rinds discarded and finely chopped. Ca:P 0.6:1 , Pro: 0.5%, Fat: 0.1%, Water: 90%, Fiber: 0.6% OCCASIONAL |
| Kabocha squash |  | Should be peeled, cored and finely chopped or shredded. Ca:P 0.6:1 , Pro: 1.2%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 94%, Fiber: 1.9% STAPLE VEGGIE |
| Kale |  | High in oxalates and goitrogens, so it should only be fed on occassion. Best when cut into larger pieces or strips. Finely chop, shred, or discard stems. Store cut, dried pieces in plastic storage bag with other greens wrapped in paper towels. Squeeze air out of bag. Ca:P 2.4:1, Pro: 3.3%, Fat: 0.7%, Water: 84%, Fiber: 2% OCCASIONAL |
| Kiwi fruit |  | Should be peeled, seeds removed, and finely chopped or crushed. Ca:P 0.7:1, Pro: 1%, Fat: 0.4% OCCASIONAL |
| Lentils |  | Best if cooked and finely chopped. Ca:P 0.14:1 , Pro: 9%, Fat: 0.5%, Water: 67%, Fiber: 22% OCCASIONAL |
| Lettuces |  | Lettuces are very poor in overall nutritional value. Romaine - Ca:P 0.8:1 , Pro: 1.6%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 95%, Fiber: 1.7% Iceberg - Ca:P 1:1 , Pro: 1%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 96%, Fiber: 1.4% Loose leaf - Ca:P 0.4:1 , Pro: 1.3%, Fat: 0.3%, Water: 94%, Fiber: 1.9% RARELY OR NEVER |
| Mango |  | Should be peeled, pitted, and finely chopped or crushed. Ca:P 0.9:1, Pro: 0.5%, Fat: 0.3%, Water: 82%, Fiber: 1.8% STAPLE FRUIT |
| Mushrooms |  | Very high in phosphorus and should only be fed on occasion. Should be finely chopped. Ca:P 0.05:1 , Pro: 2.9%, Fat: 0.3%, Water: 92%, Fiber: 1.2% OCCASIONAL |
| Mustard greens |  | Excellent choice for greens. High in calcium, but somewhat high in goitrogens. Best when cut into larger pieces or strips. Finely chop or discard stems. Store cut, dried pieces in plastic storage bag with other greens wrapped in paper towels. Squeeze air out of bag. Ca:P 2.4:1, Pro: 2.7%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 91%, Fiber: 3.3% STAPLE GREEN |
| Nasturtiums |  | Both flowers and leaves are okay to feed. Use caution and do not use plants that may have been treated with any pesticides or other chemicals. GREAT TREAT |
| Okra |  | Should be finely chopped or shredded. Ca:P 1.3:1, Pro: 2%, Fat: 0.1%, Water: 90%, Fiber: 3.2% STAPLE VEGGIE |
| Papaya |  | Good source of fiber. Should be peeled, seeds removed and finely chopped or shredded. Ca:P 4.8:1, Pro: 0.6%, Fat: 0.1%, Water: 89%, Fiber: 1.8% STAPLE FRUIT |
| Parsley |  | Good source of calcium. Finely chop. Ca:P 2.4:1 , Pro: 3%, Fat: 0.8%, Water: 88%, Fiber: 3.3% OCCASIONAL |
| Parsnip |  | Should be peeled and shredded. Very good source of fiber and carbohydrates. Ca:P 1:2, Pro: 1.2%, Fat: 0.3%, Water: 80%, Fiber: 4.9% STAPLE VEGGIE |
| Pasta (cooked) |  | Should be cooked, cooled and chopped. Use pasta made without egg. Ca:P 0.1:1 , Pro: 5.2%, Fat: 1%, Water: 69% OCCASIONAL |
| Peaches |  | High goitrogens. Should be peeled, pits removed and finely chopped. Ca:P 0.4:1, Pro: 0.7%, Fat: 0.09%, Water: 88%, Fiber: 2% OCCASIONAL |
| Pears |  | High in oxalates. Should be peeled, cored and finely chopped. Ca:P 1:1, Pro: 0.4%, Fat: 0.4%, Water: 84%, Fiber: 2.4% OCCASIONAL |
| Pumpkin |  | Rind should be discarded. Core and finely chop or shred. Ca:P 0.5:1 , Pro: 1%, Fat: 0.1%, Water: 92%, Fiber: 0.5% OCCASIONAL |
| Raspberries |  | Excellent source of extra fiber content. Should be crushed for smaller iguanas. Larger iguanas can be fed whole rasberries. Ca:P 1.8:1, Pro: 0.9%, Fat: 0.6%, Water: 87%, Fiber: 6.8% OCCASIONAL AND/OR TREAT |
| Rice (cooked) |  | Should be cooked, drained, and cooled. Ca:P 0.08:1 , Pro: 2.4%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 68% OCCASIONAL |
| Rutabaga |  | Should be peeled and finely chopped or shredded. Ca:P 0.8:1 , Pro: 1.2%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 90%, Fiber: 2.5% OCCASIONAL |
| Snap peas |  | Should be finely chopped. Ca:P 0.1:1, Pro: 0.8%, Fat: 0.04% STAPLE VEGGIE |
| Spaghetti squash |  | Should be peeled, cored and finely chopped or shredded. Ca:P 0.6:1 , Pro: 1.2%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 94%, Fiber: 1.9% OCCASIONAL |
| Spinach |  | High in calcium, but very high in oxalates and goitrogens, so it should only be fed occasionally. Should be finely chopped. Ca:P 2:1, Pro: 2.9%, Fat: 0.4%, Water: 92%, Fiber: 2.7% OCCASIONAL |
| Strawberries |  | High in oxalates and goitrogens. Remove stems and caps and finely chop. Ca:P 0.7:1, Pro: 0.6%, Fat: 0.4%, Water: 92%, Fiber: 2.3% OCCASIONAL AND/OR TREAT |
| Sweet potato |  | Should be peeled and very finely shredded. Fairly high in phosphorus, so best used as a substitute for other orange veggies occasionally. Ca:P 0.8:1, Pro: 1.7%, Fat: 0.3%, Water: 73%, Fiber: 3% OCCASIONAL |
| Swiss chard |  | Very high in oxalates and should only be fed occasionally. Should be finely chopped. Ca:P 1.8:1, Pro: 0.2%, Fat: 0.1% OCCASIONAL |
| Tomatoes |  | High in oxalates. Should be finely chopped. Great for adding color to a mixture of food. Can be acidic and some iguanas may not like the taste. Ca:P 0.2:1, Pro: 0.9%, Fat: 0.3%, Water: 94%, Fiber: 1.1% COLOR/TASTE ENHANCER |
| Turnip greens |  | Decent choice for greens. Very high in calcium, although somewhat high in goitrogens. Best when cut into larger pieces or strips. Finely chop, shred, or discard stems. Store cut, dried pieces in plastic storage bag with other greens wrapped in paper towels. Squeeze air out of bag. Ca:P 4.5:1, Pro: 1.5%, Fat: 0.3%, Water: 91%, Fiber: 3.2% STAPLE GREEN (WHEN MIXED WITH OTHER GREENS) |
| Watercress |  | Excellent choice for greens and very high in calcium. Best when cut into larger pieces or strips. Finely chop or discard stems. Store cut, dried pieces in plastic storage bag with other greens wrapped in paper towels. Squeeze air out of bag. Ca:P 2:1, Pro: 2%, Fat: 0% STAPLE GREEN |
| Watermelon |  | Very little nutrition, but an excellent source for additional water content. Remove rinds and cut or crush into small pieces. Ca:P 0.9:1, Pro: 0.6%, Fat: 0.4%, Water: 92%, Fiber: 0.5% OCCASIONAL |
| Whole wheat bread |  | Very high in phosphorus, but makes for a great treat. A great food to hide and feed liquid medications. Ca:P 0.3:1 , Pro: 9.7%, Fat: 4.2%, Water: 38%, Fiber: 6.9% GREAT TREAT |
| Yellow squash |  | Should be very finely chopped or shredded. Ca:P 0.57:1, Pro: 1.2%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 94%, Fiber: 1.9% OCCASIONAL |
| Yucca root (Cassava) |  | Very tough. Should be peeled, washed, boiled and mashed. Raw yucca may contain chemicals that cause digestive upset. Ca:P 1:1.7, Pro: 1.36%, Fat: 0.28%, Water: 59.7%, Fiber: 1.8% STAPLE VEGGIE |
| Zucchini |  | Should be very finely chopped or shredded. Ca:P 0.47:1, Pro: 1.1%, Fat: 0.1%, Water: 95%, Fiber: 1.2% OCCASIONAL |
| * Photos have been used and modified with permission from ZoeAnn Holmes (Oregon State University's Food Resource site), Deena Spielman, Derek Baze and Jamie Wang ©2000-2002. All rights reserved. Nutritional information obtained from: USDA Nutrient Database and Jen Swofford's Iguana Pages. |
Food Chart Last Updated 8/2/09
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| USDA Nutrient Database for Standard Reference is an excellent source for nutritional information on most foods that would be available for your iguana's diet. As well as searching for specific foods, you can also download all or part of their database for use on your computer. Please note that many of the vegetables listed are not suitable for iguanas. | ||
| The Iguana Pages by Jen Swofford contains her Complete Guide to Keeping Giant Green Iguanas in Captivity. This incredible guide contains a great deal of excellent information on nutrition, including diet recommendations, several charts, and just about all you need to know to properly feed an iguana. She also has in-depth charts on the nutritional content of most commonly fed foods. | ||
| Oregon State University's Food Resource - This very educational web site has a wealth of information on many types of foods. Food descriptions, photos, and hundreds of links to other sites for more information on specific foods makes this site a fantastic place to learn and continue learning more about all types of food for not only your iguana, but for you as well. Some of the photos on this page have been used and modifed with permission from the Food Resource page. | ||
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Food Information Chart
LINK:
http://www.greenigsociety.org/foodchart.htm
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