By steve
Today we move to the letter “j” in our ingredient A to Z series and are featuring jicama as our ingredient of the day.
What is jicama?
According to Wikipedia, jicama, which is scientifically known as Pachyrhizus erosus, is the name of a native Mexican vine, although the name most commonly refers to the plant’s edible tuberous root. Jicama is part of the bean family.
Common names for jicama
The most common name variations for jicama are Mexican yam, Mexican potato, or Mexican turnip.
Why is jicama included in dog food?
Jicama is added to dog food for two key reasons: 1) it is a good source of dietary fiber and 2) it is a source of inulin which can be used as a prebiotic to aid digestion.
Is jicama a commonly used ingredient in dog food?
Jicama is not a common dog food ingredient and found in only a handful of dog foods.
Common benefits or risks of jicama
There are many benefits of jicama. Jicama is high in dietary fiber. It is somewhat sweet, which makes me wonder why more food companies don’t use it as a sweetener instead of sugars.
Jicama is a source of inulin which is a prebiotic to aid digestion.
Jicama is also high in vitamins C and A, and is a source of calcium and phosphorus.
While the jicama bulb, which is what is sold in stores, is safe for dogs to eat, the leafs and seeds are not.
Miscellaneous facts about jicama
Jicama is low in calories and high in fiber. A 4 ounce serving has 43 kcals, 6 grams of fiber, and almost 1 gram of protein.
The jicama vine can reach a height of 13–16 feet and its root can grow up to 6.5 feet long and weigh up to 45 lbs.
Sources and further reading
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jicama
http://www.fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition/generic/jicama-raw?portionid=183727&portionamount=4.000
We’re joining the Tasty Tuesday Blog Hop sponsored by Sugar, the Golden Retriever and Kolchak from Kol’s Notes:
From: Dog Food Ingredients A to Z: Jicama
