SUCCESS!
That’s a good boy!
Have you ever read a dog diet guide and thought, hey, that sounds like it could work for me? Okay, chances are you’re not going to supplement your meals with raw meat or straight fish oil. But when it comes to healthy eating, dogs and humans have a lot in common!
Eat whole foods
The first rule of healthy eating: eat real food. When it comes to dogs, that means minimally processed food with identifiable ingredients. Single-source proteins, fresh veggies, healthy carbs: sounds pretty good, right? Well, all that stuff is good for humans, too.
Obviously, you won’t be chowing down on your dog’s premiumgrain-free kibble. But you can follow their lead in eating real food that hasn’t been over-processed.
you can follow their lead in eating real food that hasn’t been over-processed.
Get plenty of protein
Dogs thrive on meat. In fact, they need it to survive. Humans don’t require animal flesh, but even if you’re vegetarian, you should fuel your body with healthy proteins.
Some healthy proteins you and your dog can share include lean cuts of beef, chicken, and turkey. And don’t forget sustainable fish to get your Omega-3s, f you don’t eat meat, just choose whole foods whenever possible. That includes eggs, quinoa, etc..
Choose good fats
Dogs with too much fat in their diet are at risk for pancreatitis, in addition to becoming overweight. That’s why it’s so important to watch their fat intake, especially as they age. But that doesn’t mean no fat. In fact, it’s is a necessary component of dog food.
A balanced dog diet should be comprised of about 10 to 15 percent fat. Fat provides energy, increases the absorption of certain vitamins, helps maintain healthy skin and coat, and makes food taste good.
Guess what? Fat does all the same stuff for you. For humans, it’s all about choosing the right fats. That means olive oil, coconut oil, nuts, and lean cuts of meat.
Limit salt
Sodium is a necessary mineral for humans and dogs, helping the body perform certain functions like regulate blood pressure, transmit nerve impulses, and maintain the acid/base balance in the body. However, too much sodium in the diet can cause dangerous imbalances.
For humans, cutting back on salt has been proven to lower blood pressure and reduces the chances of heart attack or stroke. So, be like your dog: stick to an appropriate amount of sodium..