Carbohydrates are added to foods as an energy source, they vary in both digestibility and their overall effects on the body. Dogs use carbohydrate sources for a quick source of energy but require both slow releasing, complex carbohydrates for sustained energy and to a lesser extent readily available smaller sugars.
Carbohydrates are added to foods as an energy source, they vary in both digestibility and their overall effects on the body. Cats find it hard to use carbohydrates unless they are heavily processed. Then can use carbohydrate sources for a quick source of energy but don’t rely on them. They can have both slow releasing, complex carbohydrates for sustained energy and to a lesser extent readily available smaller sugars.
Cereals encompass a large range of ingredients which can be very indigestible and can contain known allergens.
Sorghum, Wheat and Barley have been shown to cause allergic reactions and are poorly digested.
White Rice, Maize and Pumpkin are all good sources of carbohydrate with middle range glycaemic counts showing some slow release energy and some quick release energy. They are quite digestible.
Oats, Brown Rice, Yams, Lentils, Potatoes, Tapioca and Cassava can all be digested more efficiently and have good glycaemic index scores showing they contribute lots of slow release energy to the diet.
Sweet potato and Butternut Squash are both low on the glycaemic index showing great amounts of slow release energy which keeps energy levels constant and reduces the risk of diabetes. They are also both very digestible sources of carbohydrate.
Vegetables encompass a large range of ingredients which can often be added to foods for palatability or texture. For foods that contain only these sources in lieu of a specific carbohydrate ingredient, both their fibre content and carbohydrate content is analysed.
White Rice, Maize and Pumpkin are all good sources of carbohydrate with middle range glycaemic counts showing some slow release energy and some quick release energy. They are quite digestible.
Potato, Oats, Brown Rice, Yams and Lentils can all be digested more efficiently and have good glycaemic index scores showing they contribute lots of slow release energy to the diet.
Sweet potato and Butternut Squash are both low on the glycaemic index showing great amounts of slow release energy which keeps energy levels constant and reduces the risk of diabetes. They are also both very digestible sources of carbohydrate.