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CARE GUIDE :: DIET - Nutrition Chart
Home > Care Guide > Diet > Vitamin/Mineral Chart
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How can I use the Guinea Lynx' chart on this page?

    This chart allows you to see how various fruits and vegs stack up nutritionally and how one food compares to others. Corn, for example, is nutritionally very poor and is not recommended for guinea pigs.

Should I feed all the foods on this chart?

    No. If you'd like some diet recommendations, look at the "Favorites" page instead.

Vitamins and Minerals at a Glance

    Sortable Chart (this page)
    Oxalic Acid Page
    Excel Calculator
    Link to Older Charts Pages WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

    All nutritional data is based on averages.
Where your food is grown, freshness, and variety all affect actual vitamin and mineral content. Unless you have tested the individual food itself, you will not know how much of any nutrient is actually present. So think of this data as "guidelines" rather than fixed food values.

    Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) begins to degrade as soon as the food is picked so the food in your home may have less ascorbic acid than listed.

FOOD COLOR CODES:
    Vegetables - light green
    Crucifers (brassicas) - paler green (can cause gas)
    Fruits - light orange
    Dry seeds & grains - white

GRAMS COLUMN: Because water content varies widely from one food to another, all foods are represented in 10 calorie amounts to make comparisons more accurate. For example, 91 gms of watercress, 43 grams of spinach, and 11 gms of banana each contain 10 calories.

VITAMIN & MINERAL COLOR CODES: More intense colors indicate a higher relative value. Less intense colors, a lower relative value. If the USDA does not have a value for a particular attribute it listed as UNKN.

Ca:P COLOR CODES:
    Midrange (Calcium to Phosophorus) represented by greens.
    High range by blues.
    Low range by yellows.

If javascript is enabled in your browser, you can sort the various columns in the table on this page to find foods high or low in particular vitamins or minerals. If not, see these sorted pages:
    Sugar at a Glance
    Calcium at a Glance
    Ca:P Ratios

HIGH SUGAR CONTENT contributes to obesity and can affect the bacterial balance of the digestive system. Sorting sugar high to low demonstrates the high sugar levels in most fruits. This is why we recommend using fruits more as treats and focusing on hay and grass and vegetables to provide the nutrition your pets need.
    Read more: Diet

CALCIUM is a nutrient vital to good health. Some guinea pigs that are prone to develop bladder stones may benefit from a diet that aims for an overall reduction of calcium.
    Read more: Stones

NOTES:
    All vegs and fruits raw except for raisins.
    CILANTRO = CORIANDER
    ROCKET = ARUGULA
    Find squashes like zucchini under "squash".

Phosphorus = Phos
Magnesium = Magn
Potassium = Pot

Remember: Don't feed anything you wouldn't eat yourself (i.e. no spoiled food) and rinse food thoroughly.

CLICK ON COLUMN HEADING TO SORT (javascript must be enabled) ------------------ Print Chart

GUINEA LYNX' Sortable Veg & Fruit Chart
10 Calorie Quantities 		Grams Sugar gm Calcium mg Ca:P Phos mg Magn mg Pot mg Sodium mg Vit_A RAE Vit_C mg
ALFALFA SEEDS,SPROUTED 43 0.08 13.91 0.5:1 30.44 11.7 34.35 2.61 3.48 3.57
ANISE SEED 3 UNKN 19.17 1.5:1 13.06 5.1 42.76 0.48 0.48 0.62
APPLES,WITH SKIN 19 2 1.15 0.5:1 2.12 1 20.58 0.19 0.58 0.89
ARUGULA 40 0.82 64 3.1:1 20.8 18.8 147.6 10.8 47.6 6
ASPARAGUS 50 0.94 12 0.5:1 26 7 101 1 19 2.8
BANANAS 11 1.37 0.56 0.2:1 2.47 3 40.23 0.11 0.34 0.98
BASIL,FRESH 43 0.13 76.96 3.2:1 24.35 27.8 128.26 1.74 114.78 7.83
BEANS,FAVA,IN POD 11 UNKN 4.21 0.3:1 14.66 3.8 37.73 2.84 1.93 0.42
BEANS,SNAP,GREEN 32 1.05 11.94 1.0:1 12.26 8.1 68.07 1.94 11.29 3.94
BEET GREENS 45 0.23 53.18 2.9:1 18.64 31.8 346.36 102.73 143.64 13.64
BEETS 23 1.57 3.72 0.4:1 9.3 5.4 75.58 18.14 0.47 1.14
BLACKBERRIES 23 1.14 6.74 1.3:1 5.12 4.7 37.67 0.23 2.56 4.88
BLUEBERRIES 18 1.75 1.05 0.5:1 2.11 1.1 13.51 0.18 0.53 1.7
BROCCOLI 29 0.5 13.82 0.7:1 19.41 6.2 92.94 9.71 9.12 26.24
BROCCOLI RAAB 45 0.17 49.09 1.5:1 33.18 10 89.09 15 59.55 9.18
BRUSSELS SPROUTS 23 0.51 9.77 0.6:1 16.05 5.4 90.47 5.81 8.84 19.77
BUTTERBUR,(FUKI) 71 UNKN 73.57 8.6:1 8.57 10 467.86 5 2.14 22.5
CABBAGE 40 1.28 16 1.5:1 10.4 4.8 68 7.2 2 14.64
CABBAGE,CHINESE (PAK-CHOI) 77 0.91 80.77 2.8:1 28.46 14.6 193.85 50 171.54 34.62
CABBAGE,CHINESE (PE-TSAI) 63 0.88 48.13 2.7:1 18.13 8.1 148.75 5.63 10 16.88
CABBAGE,RED 32 1.24 14.52 1.5:1 9.68 5.2 78.39 8.71 18.07 18.39
CABBAGE,SAVOY 37 0.84 12.96 0.8:1 15.56 10.4 85.19 10.37 18.52 11.48
CARROTS 24 1.16 8.05 0.9:1 8.54 2.9 78.05 16.83 203.66 1.44
CARROTS,BABY 29 1.36 9.14 1.1:1 8 2.9 67.71 22.29 197.14 0.74
CAULIFLOWER 40 0.76 8.8 0.5:1 17.6 6 119.6 12 UNKN 19.28
CELERY 63 1.14 25 1.7:1 15 6.9 162.5 50 13.75 1.94
CEREALS RTE,WHEAT GERM,TSTD,PLN 3 0.2 1.18 0.0:1 30 8.4 24.79 0.11 0.13 0.16
CHARD,SWISS 53 0.58 26.84 1.1:1 24.21 42.6 199.47 112.11 161.05 15.79
CHERRIES,SOUR,RED 20 1.7 3.2 1.1:1 3 1.8 34.6 0.6 12.8 2
CHERRIES,SWEET 16 2.04 2.06 0.6:1 3.33 1.8 35.24 UNKN 0.48 1.11
COLLARDS 33 0.15 48.33 14.5:1 3.33 3 56.33 6.67 111 11.77
CORIANDER (CILANTRO) LEAVES 43 0.38 29.13 1.4:1 20.87 11.3 226.52 20 146.52 11.74
CORN,SWT,YEL 12 0.73 0.23 0.0:1 10.35 4.3 31.4 1.74 1.05 0.79
CRANBERRIES 22 0.88 1.74 0.6:1 2.83 1.3 18.48 0.44 0.65 2.89
CRESS,GARDEN 31 1.38 25.31 1.1:1 23.75 11.9 189.38 4.38 108.13 21.56
CUCUMBER,WITH PEEL 67 1.11 10.67 0.7:1 16 8.7 98 1.33 3.33 1.87
DANDELION GREENS 22 0.16 41.56 2.8:1 14.67 8 88.22 16.89 112.89 7.78
DILL WEED,FRSH 23 UNKN 48.37 3.2:1 15.35 12.8 171.63 14.19 89.77 19.77
ENDIVE 59 0.15 30.59 1.9:1 16.47 8.8 184.71 12.94 63.53 3.82
GRAPES,RED OR GRN (EURO TYPE,SUCH AS THOMPSON SEEDLESS) 14 2.24 1.45 0.5:1 2.9 1 27.68 0.29 0.44 1.57
KALE 20 UNKN 27 2.4:1 11.2 6.8 89.4 8.6 153.8 24
KIWIFRUIT,GRN 16 1.47 5.57 1.0:1 5.57 2.8 51.15 0.49 0.66 15.2
KOHLRABI 37 0.96 8.89 0.5:1 17.04 7 129.63 7.41 0.74 22.96
LAMBSQUARTERS 23 UNKN 71.86 4.3:1 16.74 7.9 105.12 10 134.88 18.61
LENTILS,SPROUTED 9 UNKN 2.36 0.1:1 16.32 3.5 30.38 1.04 0.19 1.56
LETTUCE,BUTTERHEAD (INCL BOSTON&BIBB TYPES) 77 0.72 26.92 1.1:1 25.39 10 183.08 3.85 127.69 2.85
LETTUCE,COS OR ROMAINE 59 0.7 19.41 1.1:1 17.65 8.2 145.29 4.71 256.47 14.12
LETTUCE,GRN LEAF 67 0.52 24 1.2:1 19.33 8.7 129.33 18.67 246.67 12
LETTUCE,ICEBERG (INCL CRISPHEAD TYPES) 71 1.41 12.86 0.9:1 14.29 5 100.71 7.14 17.86 2
LETTUCE,RED LEAF 63 0.3 20.63 1.2:1 17.5 7.5 116.88 15.63 234.38 2.31
MANGOS 15 2.28 1.54 0.9:1 1.69 1.4 24 0.31 5.85 4.26
MELONS,CANTALOUPE 29 2.31 2.65 0.6:1 4.41 3.5 78.53 4.71 49.71 10.79
MELONS,CASABA 36 2.03 3.93 2.2:1 1.79 3.9 65 3.21 UNKN 7.79
MELONS,HONEYDEW 28 2.26 1.67 0.5:1 3.06 2.8 63.33 5 0.83 5
MUSTARD GREENS 38 0.62 39.62 2.4:1 16.54 12.3 136.15 9.62 201.92 26.92
MUSTARD SPINACH,(TENDERGREEN) 45 UNKN 95.46 7.5:1 12.73 5 204.09 9.55 225 59.09
NECTARINES 23 1.79 1.36 0.2:1 5.91 2.1 45.68 UNKN 3.86 1.23
NEW ZEALAND SPINACH 71 UNKN 41.43 2.1:1 20 27.9 92.86 92.86 157.14 21.43
OATS 3 UNKN 1.39 0.1:1 13.45 4.6 11.03 0.05 UNKN UNKN
ORANGES,ALL COMM VAR 21 1.99 8.51 2.9:1 2.98 2.1 38.51 UNKN 2.34 11.32
PAPAYAS 26 1.51 6.15 4.8:1 1.28 2.6 65.9 0.77 14.1 15.85
PARSLEY 28 0.24 38.33 2.4:1 16.11 13.9 153.89 15.56 116.94 36.94
PARSNIPS 13 0.64 4.8 0.5:1 9.47 3.9 50 1.33 UNKN 2.27
PEACHES 26 2.15 1.54 0.3:1 5.13 2.3 48.72 UNKN 4.1 1.69
PEARS 17 1.69 1.55 0.8:1 1.9 1.2 20.52 0.17 0.17 0.72
PEARS,ASIAN 24 1.68 0.95 0.4:1 2.62 1.9 28.81 UNKN UNKN 0.91
PEAS,EDIBLE-PODDED 24 0.95 10.24 0.8:1 12.62 5.7 47.62 0.95 12.86 14.29
PEAS,GREEN 12 0.7 3.09 0.2:1 13.33 4.1 30.12 0.62 4.69 4.94
PEAS,MATURE SEEDS,SPROUTED 8 UNKN 2.9 0.2:1 13.31 4.5 30.73 1.61 UNKN 0.84
PEPPERS,SWEET,YELLOW 37 UNKN 4.07 0.5:1 8.89 4.4 78.52 0.74 3.7 67.96
PEPPERS,SWT,GRN 50 1.2 5 0.5:1 10 5 87.5 1.5 9 40.2
PEPPERS,SWT,RED 32 1.36 2.26 0.3:1 8.39 3.9 68.07 1.29 50.65 41.19
PINEAPPLE,ALL VAR 20 1.97 2.6 1.6:1 1.6 2.4 21.8 0.2 0.6 9.56
PLUMS 22 2.16 1.3 0.4:1 3.48 1.5 34.13 UNKN 3.7 2.07
PUMPKIN 38 0.52 8.08 0.5:1 16.92 4.6 130.77 0.39 141.92 3.46
PURSLANE 63 UNKN 40.63 1.5:1 27.5 42.5 308.75 28.13 41.25 13.13
RADICCHIO 43 0.26 8.26 0.5:1 17.39 5.7 131.3 9.57 0.44 3.48
RADISH SEEDS,SPROUTED 23 UNKN 11.86 0.5:1 26.28 10.2 20 1.4 4.65 6.72
RADISHES 63 1.16 15.63 1.3:1 12.5 6.3 145.63 24.38 UNKN 9.25
RAISINS,GOLDEN SEEDLESS 3 1.96 1.76 0.5:1 3.81 1.2 24.7 0.4 UNKN 0.11
RAISINS,SEEDLESS 3 1.98 1.67 0.5:1 3.38 1.1 25.05 0.37 UNKN 0.08
RASPBERRIES 19 0.85 4.81 0.9:1 5.58 4.2 29.04 0.19 0.39 5.04
RUTABAGAS 28 1.56 13.06 0.8:1 16.11 6.4 93.61 5.56 UNKN 6.94
SALSIFY,(VEG OYSTER) 12 UNKN 7.32 0.8:1 9.15 2.8 46.34 2.44 UNKN 0.98
SPINACH 43 0.18 43.04 2.0:1 21.3 34.4 242.61 34.35 203.91 12.22
SQUASH,SMMR,ALL VAR 63 1.38 9.38 0.4:1 23.75 10.6 163.75 1.25 6.25 10.63
SQUASH,SMMR,CROOKNECK&STRAIGHTNECK 53 1.86 11.05 0.7:1 16.84 10.5 116.84 1.05 4.21 10.16
SQUASH,SMMR,ZUCCHINI,INCL SKN 59 1.47 9.41 0.4:1 22.35 10.6 153.53 4.71 5.88 10.53
SQUASH,SUMMER,SCALLOP 56 UNKN 10.56 0.5:1 20 12.8 101.11 0.56 3.33 10
SQUASH,WINTER,ACORN 25 UNKN 8.25 0.9:1 9 8 86.75 0.75 4.5 2.75
SQUASH,WINTER,HUBBARD 25 UNKN 3.5 0.7:1 5.25 4.8 80 1.75 17 2.75
SQUASH,WNTR,ALL VAR 29 0.65 8.24 1.2:1 6.77 4.1 102.94 1.18 20 3.62
SQUASH,WNTR,BUTTERNUT 22 0.49 10.67 1.5:1 7.33 7.6 78.22 0.89 118.22 4.67
SQUASH,WNTR,SPAGHETTI 32 UNKN 7.42 1.9:1 3.87 3.9 34.84 5.48 0.97 0.68
SQUASH,ZUCCHINI,BABY 48 UNKN 10 0.2:1 44.29 15.7 218.57 1.43 11.91 16.24
STRAWBERRIES 31 1.53 5 0.7:1 7.5 4.1 47.81 0.31 0.31 18.38
SWEET POTATO LEAVES 29 UNKN 10.57 0.4:1 26.86 17.4 148 2.57 14.57 3.14
SWEET POTATO,UNPREP 12 0.49 3.49 0.6:1 5.47 2.9 39.19 6.4 82.44 0.28
TANGERINES,(MANDARIN ORANGES) 19 1.76 6.98 1.8:1 3.77 2.3 31.32 0.38 6.42 5.04
TOMATOES,RED,RIPE,YEAR RND AVERAGE 56 1.46 5.56 0.4:1 13.33 6.1 131.67 2.78 23.33 7.06
TURNIP GREENS 31 0.25 59.38 4.5:1 13.13 9.7 92.5 12.5 180.94 18.75
TURNIPS 36 1.36 10.71 1.1:1 9.64 3.9 68.21 23.93 UNKN 7.5
WATERCRESS 91 0.18 109.09 2.0:1 54.55 19.1 300 37.27 145.46 39.09
WATERMELON 33 2.07 2.33 0.6:1 3.67 3.3 37.33 0.33 9.33 2.7
WHEAT GERM,CRUDE 3 UNKN 1.08 0.0:1 23.39 6.6 24.78 0.33 UNKN UNKN
YAM 8 0.04 1.44 0.3:1 4.66 1.8 69.15 0.76 0.59 1.45
10_Calorie_Quantities_of_Vegs_&_Fruit Grams Sugar gm Calcium mg Ca:P_ Phos mg Magn mg Pot__ mg Sodium mg Vit_A RAE Vit_C mg
50 gm Pelleted Feed per NAS*
(calorie content UNKNOWN) 		50 NA 400 2.0:1 200 50 250 25 330 10

Primary Source: USDA Nutrient Database The chart above uses the SR22 dataset. As of this date, an SR23 dataset has been released so some data may have changed. Keep in mind USDA values are averages and will only provide a general idea of the nutrient content of an individual food.

NOTES:
* Baby carrots are miniature carrots. Not large carrots, trimmed.
* 50 gm of feed (pelleted or in other form), nutrients specified by The National Academy of Sciences in Nutrient Requirements of Laboratory Animals, Fourth Revised Edition, 1995 - the Nutrient Requirements of the Guinea Pig. Calorie content is unknown. Values provided as a possible minimum daily vitamin/mineral guideline. I believe a couple tablespoons of pellets weigh about 20 gm.

These vegs have been removed because they are similar or identical in nutrition to companion items (plain green beans, broccoli, corn and cabbage) or because many of the values were missing (tomatoes):
    BEANS,SNAP,YELLOW
    BROCCOLI,FLOWER CLUSTERS
    BROCCOLI,LEAVES
    BROCCOLI,STALKS
    CABBAGE,COMMON (DANISH,DOMESTIC,&POINTED TYPES),STORED
    CABBAGE,COMMON,FRESHLY HARVEST
    CORN,SWEET,WHITE
    YARDLONG BEAN
    ORANGE, YELLOW, AND GREEN TOMATOES

NOTE: Oxalic acid generally increases as food matures, producing increasingly bitter vegetables. Young, fresh vegetables are more likely to have less oxalic acid.
Find oxalic acid values on this page: Oxalic Acid Chart

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