As kids, most of us were taught to always eat our vegetables. Or, that meat and potatoes are so hearty they give you what your body needs to grow. Maybe your parents made you drink milk so you had strong bones. Whatever the old adage, or rule in your house, they all point back to one common theme. Good ingredients, means good nutrients.
Fast forward to 2023 and that same concept has been trending for a few years now. It's even been labeled by some as cooking/baking with "Functional Ingredients." The phrase "functional ingredient" means to be mindful of what you use in recipes. You use them to maximize a certain nutritional outcome.
At RDT, we're ALL ABOUT functional ingredients! Our Pumpkin Molasses treats contain (you guessed it) pumpkin, an amazing digestive regulator. They also have (yup) molasses, which has as much calcium in 1 tbsp as a full cup of milk. You probably don't want to hear us blab about the health benefits of these two ingredients for dogs and humans. But believe us, there are quite a few. The benefits are very real when you use pure, simple, functional ingredients.
Now, this thought-process is trending. We want to share some of our favorite "Functional Ingredients" for the WHOLE family. This includes pets.
Enjoy and COMMENT BELOW with YOUR FAVORITE functional ingredients!
Eggs - Great source of high-quality protein. Also contains Vitamins B2, B6, B12, D, and more.
Molasses – Rich in Iron, Calcium, Magnesium, Vitamin B6, and Selenium.
Apple – VERY rich in antioxidants as well as phytonutrients such as Beta Carotene.
Kale – High in fiber. Loaded with nutrients such as Vitamins B1, B2, B6, E, Calcium, Iron, and many more.
Peanut Butter (natural, no salt/sugar) – Vitamin E, Magnesium, Protein, Potassium, and more.
Hemp Hearts - High in Protein, Omega 3, Omega 6
Pumpkin – High in Fiber, also rich in Vitamin A, and Beta Carotene. Great digestive regulator.
Honey – Rich in Antioxidants as well as anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.
Banana – Rich in Vitamins B6, C, Biotin, Copper, Manganese, and Potassium.
Oats – Rich in Beta-Glucan, which helps lower bad cholesterol.
Cherries – Rich in Antioxidants as well as various joint and muscle support properties.