Can Dogs Eat Breadfruit? 3 Disadvantages
We all know that breadfruit is supposed to be good for our health. So how did this bizarre looking plant get its name?
Can dogs eat breadfruit?” “Absolutely!” “In fact, many of us don’t even know that breadfruit is an edible fruit tree. We’ve been fooled by the sweet, pink exterior. It’s one of those fruits that looks so appetizing, but its taste turns sour after a few days.
That doesn’t stop people from buying breadfruit for their pets, or even their kids. Breadfruit is a favorite treat for dogs and cats, and they love to eat it with the pulp.
You’ve heard the phrase “dogs don’t eat dog food” right? And yet, most people know little or nothing about it—otherwise, I’d be a lot richer than I already am! But what really is dog food, and how does it differ from regular food? Let’s find out!
What Is Breadfruit
Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis), is a botanical fruit and a culinary vegetable. Maybe that’s why this delicious and versatile fruit is a staple ingredient in tropical cuisines throughout the world. Cooked breadfruit has a flavor that’s similar to, well, bread. Breadfruit is a more savory fruit that is starchy and potato-like with a flavor to match.
Breadfruit grows natively in tropical regions around the world, and is believed to be native to The Philippines and New Guinea. There are a variety of breadfruit species that grow in Pacific Island regions including Hawaii in the US, and Southeast Asia in Indonesia and Malaysia and the Philippines.
Breadfruit is also grown across South Asia in Sri Lanka, India and Seychelles, as well as the Caribbean and Latin America including Belize, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Barbados and Jamaica.
Breadfruit grows on lush trees (Artocarpus altilis) that can reach over 80 feet high that produce fruit year round. The tree has uses outside of the fruit it produces, and is prized for its latex and timber.
What Color Is Breadfruit
As breadfruits mature, the color of their peel changes. They begin as bright, verdant green fruits with a bumpy rind. A ripe breadfruit will mature into yellowish green color with a more relaxed, smooth peel. Inside, the flesh is white to pale yellow.
How To Tell If Breadfruit Is Ripe
Those who love breadfruit know that ripe breadfruit is best for flavor and texture. A ripe breadfruit will be somewhat smooth and yellowish in color, with a weighty feeling in your hand. Immature breadfruit skin is bright green with a firm, bumpy rind texture.
Are Breadfruit Seeds Edible
Yes, breadfruit’s small seeds are edible. There are many varieties of breadfruit and not all of them have seeds. When they do, breadfruits have dark, oval shaped seeds that are pointy at one end. The seeds are usually roasted and seasoned for peak tastiness.
What is the Nutrition of Breadfruit
A staple food in many cuisines, breadfruit is packed with nutritional benefits. It is high in fiber, protein, potassium and vitamins.
- Breadfruit Nutrition (100g)
- Calories: 103
- Protein: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugars: 11g
- Calcium: 17mg
- Magnesium: 25mg
- Phosphorus: 30mg
- Potassium: 490mg
- Sodium: 2mg
- Vitamin C: 29mg
Read more nutritional information about breadfruit from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
What Does Breadfruit Go In
With it’s potato-like flavor and texture, breadfruit goes into a vast array of dishes. Breadfruit is a staple ingredient in tropical cuisines throughout the world and is most commonly used in soups, curries, meat and seafood dishes, or served cold in salads and snacks.
Occasionally breadfruit is first cooked, then mixed with hearty liquids like milk, cream made from dairy, nuts or oats. From there, breadfruit can be enjoyed in soft drinks and cocktails.
Disadvantages of Breadfruit for Dogs
1. Can Lead to Poisoning in Dogs
The number one concern is going to be the dog’s overall health.
Even though breadfruit is jam-packed with good nutrients including potassium, magnesium, and thiamine, it is still not going to digest properly through a dog’s digestive system.
As a result, those nutrients hold no value and the dog will end up dealing with a long list of health-related concerns.
Mexican breadfruit is bad for dogs and is known for creating these symptoms upon consumption. It is essential to keep your dog away from breadfruit at all costs.
While a lot of research hasn’t been done into breadfruit, it is in the dog’s best interest to not give them breadfruit.
2. Difficult to Digest
Digestion is a concern.
Dogs cannot digest breadfruit as easily as other types of fruits.
Please note, a lot of research still has to be done on giving breadfruit to dogs including the variations that are out there across the planet.
However, Mexican breadfruit is bad for dogs and has been shown to lead to major health concerns.
It is smarter to ensure the dog doesn’t have to deal with these digestive issues.
Just keep the breadfruit away from your dog and it will be safe.
3. Unique for a Dog’s Diet
If you are asking “Can dogs eat breadfruit?” just look towards understanding what a dog should and shouldn’t eat.
Some fruits might seem like a good idea but they are not. This is one of those fruits.
However, you are going to have several options out there that are effective at keeping the dog healthy and full. Look towards including some of those foods if you are trying to mix things up a bit.
Breadfruit isn’t a common part of a dog’s diet.
This is why it is not going to be as evolved to eat that type of fruit. While it might digest a little bit, as soon as you add too much to their diet, it can lead to poisoning.
Ways to Eat Breadfruit
Breadfruit is most classically prepared by baking, boiling, steaming and frying. It has an inedible peel that’s sometimes kept intact while cooking. This is a versatile ingredient used in soups, curries, meat and seafood dishes, or served cold in salads and snacks.
Ways to Drink Breadfruit
One of the most popular ways to drink breadfruit is in breadfruit punch. Like other breadfruit beverages, the fruit is first cooked, then mixed with hearty liquids like milk, cream made from dairy, nuts or oats. From there, breadfruit can be enjoyed in soft drinks and cocktails.
How to Store Breadfruit
Fresh breadfruit can be stored in a cool, dry place for a short period of time, about two days.
To keep your breadfruit fresher for longer, store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to four or five days. Big breadfruit fans will sometimes submerge the whole fruits in water in the refrigerator for even longer shelf life.
Breadfruit freezes easily, but the texture of the fruit can change. Store breadfruit in the freezer for up to three months.
There are traditions, particularly throughout the Pacific, where preserving breadfruit through fermentation is very common.
Can Dogs Eat Breadfruits
Unfortunately, this is one fruit you probably shouldn’t share with your best tail-wagging buddy. Dogs should not eat breadfruit because it contains natural substances that can be very irritating to your pup’s digestive system. Your FruitStand fam encourages you to clear the safety of any new fruits or veggies with your veterinarian before offering them your pooch.
Conclusion
If you’ve got to ask, then the answer’s no. Breadfruit is a large, tough, fibrous fruit that grows in breadfruit trees. Although they do eat breadfruit (I’ve seen them), it’s not something that we feed them.
As a matter of fact, we wouldn’t feed breadfruit to our own dogs either, unless they were dying or sick, because of the toxins that can build up in the flesh. But, you can definitely get breadfruit off your dog’s menu without worry.
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