FRUIT & VEGETABLE NUTRIENT COMBINATIONS CALCULATOR
FEEDING YOUR SUGAR GLIDER
One of the biggest concerns for Glider Parents is choosing a diet. There are a number of recognized diet plans for gliders. Many happy, healthy gliders have been raised on each of these diets but none of them have been proven scientifically to be the perfect diet for all gliders. There currently are no standard nutrient guidelines for glider dietary needs. Gliders like people have likes and dislikes and may refuse a diet even after enjoying it for a long time. For details on the recognized diet plans including ingredients, how to prepare and what additional foods are required by each diet please check each original web site from the LINKS page.
Another concern is providing a diet that meets the glider's need for calcium and contains a calcium to phosphorus ratio between 1.5:1 and 2:1. Simply put, this means the amount (in mg) of calcium is between 1.5 mg and 2 mg for each 1 mg phosphorus. Click here to learn how to calculate ratios for a combination of foods.
The ratio for the TOTAL DIET needs to be between 1.5:1 and 2:1, not just the ratio of the fruits and vegetables offered. The Nutrient Calculator will allow you to determine the amounts of nutrients in 1 glider serving for combinations fruits and vegetables and other foods and juices often included in these combinations.
If you wish to calculate the combined ratio of your chosen diet with the fruits and vegetables you are serving, contact the developer of the diet for the amount of calcium and phosphorus contained in a serving of the diet you are using. You will need the amount of calcium and phosphorus in mg, not just the ratio, to do the calculation.
When entering amounts in the Nutrient Calculator, use TBS Amounts as follows:
1 cup = 16 TBS, 1/4 cup = 4 TBS, 1/2 cup = 8 TBS
1 oz liquid = 2 TBS, 4 oz liquid = 8 TBS
Enter the serving amount in TBS or fraction of a TBS:
1 tsp= 0.33 TBS, 1 1/2 tsp = 0.5 TBS,
2 tsp= 0.67 TBS, 3 tsp = 1 TBS
UPDATED 8/21/2011
an Excel Spread Sheet that "does the math" to calculate nutrients in a glider size portion of combinations of fruits and vegetables and other foods
updated 8/21/2011
a printable PDF file for reference showing nutrients in 1 TBS portions of many fruits, vegetables and juices
updated 8/21/2011
