What is a good substitute for rice for dogs

How to Substitute Ingredients in Homemade Dog Food Recipes

Im often asked about my recipes and possible ingredient substitutions for these homemade dog food recipes.

Some dog owners want to cater meals based on their own individual dog allergy issues and food preferences for financial reasons or to use up ingredients that they already have at home.

That's doable, and I'll explain how.

Substituting Ingredients in Recipes

Whatever your reason for wanting to do dog food recipe ingredient substitutions, there are many ways you can do this.

Whether you'd like to use a different protein or carbohydrate source (especially fruits and vegetables), as long as the new ingredients are dog-friendly, they can probably be added or replaced with another ingredient.

What you must keep in mind is your dog's nutrition requirements.

Most commercial dog foods are already nutritionally balanced to provide the nourishment that the dog requires.

If you're making homemade dog food, especially steering away from the original recipe, creating complete and balanced meals becomes your responsibility.

One of the most well-known studies on homemade dog food recipes was performed by researchers at the University of California.

They analyzed more than 200 homemade dog food recipes from 34 different sources, including pet care books, veterinary textbooks, and internet websites.

The unsettling results of this study are that they found only nine recipes (out of 200) that would provide dogs with all the essential micro and macronutrients that meet the proposed requirements of AAFCO and NRC.

When you're making substitutions for homemade dog food recipes, it is crucial that you talk to your vet or a canine nutritionist to ensure that these substitutions you are making will provide the adequate nutrition that your dog needs.

An expert will be able to walk you through your dog's nutritional needs and guide you on how much protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and fats your dog's diet should include each day.

How to Substitute Ingredients in Homemade Dog Food Recipes

I cannot recommend the best ingredients to feed your dog, because I am not a canine nutritionist. I've expanded more on this topic in several of my other guides: this one and this one.

However, I can give you guidance on some of the healthiest dog-friendly ingredients that you may be able to use as substitutions for homemade dog food recipes.

1. Protein Sources

Dogs, like humans, cannot survive without a diet rich in healthy protein sources. It is a necessary source of dietary energy for dogs, and protein also aids in a healthy immune system among other things.

The best protein sources in homemade dog food meals are meat-based.

The most commonly recommended protein sources are beef, chicken, and turkey. However, some dogs have food allergies or sensitivities to these common protein sources, which is when you need to exchange these ingredients with something else.

Some meat source substitutions for dog food recipes you can make are:

• rabbit
• lamb
• venison
• bison
• goat

2. Carbohydrate Sources

Carbohydrates typically make up a large part of most commercial dog foods. While current evidence seems to show that carbs are not essential in a dog's diet, there's also no evidence that they're harmful.

This is important because carbohydrate-rich foods come with other benefits, such as vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

In the dog's small intestine, carbs are broken down into molecules of glucose.

Glucose is a common source of energy that can be used by most of the cells in the body.

It is needed by the nervous system and the brain, and glucose is also a source of quick energy. However, dogs can also easily use fats (and even prefer it) over carbs for energy sources.

Nevertheless, as long as including dog-friendly carbohydrates in dog food recipes isn't harmful to the dog, you can add many foods.

The most common carbohydrate sources usually come from the category of grains known as cereal grains. Carbohydrate sources that can be used as substitutions for homemade dog food recipes include:

• brown rice
• whole wheat
• oats
• barley
• corn
• white potato
• sweet potato

3. Fruits and Vegetables

While also providing carbohydrates, it's important to dedicate a separate section to fruits and vegetables.

As with humans, these foods supply the necessary vitamins and minerals that a dog needs. That being said, some fruits and vegetables are beneficial for the human diet but can be toxic to your canine companion.

When making substitutions for homemade dog food recipes, be sure to do your research to ensure that the fruits and veggies you're using are safe and healthy for the dog.

Some fruits and vegetables that are good to include in dog food recipes include:

• apples
• bell peppers
• bananas
• broccoli
• blueberries
• carrots
• cantaloupes
• green beans
• mangos
• peas
• zucchini

4. Fat Sources

Most of us think of added fat as a bad thing to add to recipes, but the truth is that your dog needs a certain amount of healthy fats in its diet. Most experts will recommend a diet with about 10-15% fat for the average dog.

If the fat level in your dog's food is too low, you may notice dry/itchy skin or a dull coat.

If your dog's diet is too high in fat content, then you will see him gaining unnecessary weight. The right amount of healthy fats will provide a concentrated form of energy that is twice as potent as carbohydrates.

So, what types of fats and oils are best for dogs to include in recipes? Try some of these:

• flaxseed oil
• canola oil
• fish oils
• poultry fat
• sunflower oil
• corn oil
• coconut oil
• soybean oil

Remember, when you're making your own ingredient changes in homemade dog food recipes, it is crucial that you talk to a veterinarian or a canine nutritionist.

Every ingredient offers different nutritional benefits, and you need to make sure that the recipe you're providing is complete and balanced for your dog's nutritional needs.

Your dog's unique nutritional needs are based on the dog's age, weight, activity level, breed, health condition, and other variables.

It's important to discuss these needs with an expert that will be able to walk you through them and guide you on how much protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and fats your dog's diet should include each day.

READ NEXT: 13 Balanced Homemade Dog Food Recipes

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11 Healthy Alternatives to Rice

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Rice is a staple in many peoples diets. Its filling, inexpensive, and a great mild-tasting addition to flavorful dishes.

However, rice white rice in particular may not be appropriate for everyones dietary needs. For instance, people who are trying to eat fewer carbs or calories may want a lighter alternative like riced cauliflower.

In addition, swapping out rice for alternative healthy choices, such as other whole grains, can add variety to your diet.

Here are 11 healthy alternatives to rice.

While it assumes a grain-like taste and texture after cooking, quinoa is a seed. This popular rice substitute is gluten-free and much higher in protein than rice.

In fact, a 1/2-cup (92-gram) serving of cooked quinoa provides 4 grams of protein double the amount found in the same serving of white rice (1, 2).

Quinoa is a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids that your body needs. This makes it a great protein source for vegetarians (3).

Its also a good source of the vital minerals magnesium and copper, which play important roles in energy metabolism and bone health (4).

To cook it, combine one part dried quinoa with two parts water and bring it to a boil. Cover and reduce the heat, allowing it to simmer until all the water is absorbed. Remove the cooked quinoa from the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes, then fluff it with a fork.

If youre gluten-sensitive, only purchase quinoa that is certified gluten-free due to the risk of cross-contamination.

Riced cauliflower is an excellent low-carb and low-calorie alternative to rice. It has a mild flavor, as well as a texture and appearance similar to that of cooked rice, with only a fraction of the calories and carbs.

This makes it a popular rice alternative for people on low-carb diets like keto.

A 1/2-cup (57-gram) serving of riced cauliflower has only 13 calories, compared with 100 calories for the same serving of white rice (2, 5).

To make riced cauliflower, chop a head of cauliflower into several pieces and grate them using a box grater, or finely chop them using a food processor. The riced cauliflower can be cooked over medium heat with a small amount of oil until tender and slightly browned.

You can also purchase premade riced cauliflower in the freezer section of most grocery stores.

Like riced cauliflower, riced broccoli is a smart rice alternative for people on low-carb or low-calorie diets.

Its similar in nutrient content to riced cauliflower, with 1/2 cup (57 grams) packing about 15 calories and 2 grams of fiber (6).

Riced broccoli is also an excellent source of vitamin C, with 1/2 cup (57 grams) providing over 25% of your Daily Value (DV). Vitamin C acts as a powerful antioxidant that can help prevent cellular damage and boost immune health (6, 7).

Like riced cauliflower, riced broccoli can be prepared by grating broccoli with a box grater or chopping it in a food processor, then cooking it over medium heat with a bit of oil. Some grocery stores also sell riced broccoli in the freezer section.

Shirataki rice is another popular rice alternative for low-carb and low-calorie dieters.

Its made from konjac root, which is native to Asia and rich in a unique fiber called glucomannan.

According to the product packaging, a 3-ounce (85-gram) serving of shirataki rice does not contain any calories (8).

However, when a food provides fewer than 5 calories per serving, the manufacturer can legally state that it has zero calories, which explains why a 3-ounce (85-gram) serving of shirataki rice appears to be calorie-free (9).

Glucomannan, the primary fiber in konjac root, is being studied for many potential health benefits, including its ability to form a protective barrier along the lining of your intestines (10).

Still, you would need to eat a large amount of shirataki rice to consume a significant amount of glucomannan.

To prepare shirataki rice, rinse it well in water, boil it for 1 minute, and then heat the rice in a pan over medium heat until dry. Rinsing shirataki rice before cooking helps reduce its unique odor.

If you cant find shirataki rice locally, shop for it online.

Barley is a grain thats closely related to wheat and rye. It looks similar to oats and has a chewy texture and earthy taste.

With about 100 calories, a 1/2-cup (81-gram) serving of cooked barley provides about the same number of calories as an equal serving of white rice. Yet, it contains a bit more protein and fiber (2, 11).

In addition, barley packs a variety of nutrients. A 1/2 cup (81 grams) provides over 10% of the DV for niacin, zinc, and selenium (11).

To cook barley, bring one part hulled barley and four parts water to a boil, then reduce it to medium heat and cook it until the barley is soft, or about 2530 minutes. Drain the excess water prior to serving.

Couscous is a type of pasta thats widely used in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. Its made of very small pearls of flour.

Whole-wheat couscous is a healthier option than regular varieties, as its richer in fiber and protein.

Couscous pearls are much smaller than grains of rice, so they add a unique texture to the foods theyre served with.

To make couscous, combine one part couscous and one part water, and bring the mixture to a boil. Remove it from heat and allow the couscous to sit covered for 5 minutes. Fluff it with a fork before serving.

If your local supermarket doesnt offer whole-wheat varieties, you can find one online.

Chopped cabbage is another excellent alternative to rice. Cabbage is low in calories and carbs with a mild flavor that compliments many styles of cuisine.

Its an excellent source of vitamins C and K, with a 1/2-cup (75-gram) serving providing 31% and 68% of the DV, respectively (12).

Vitamin K helps regulate blood clotting and circulation. It also plays an important role in bone health (13).

To cook chopped cabbage, finely chop a cabbage by hand or using a food processor. Then cook it with a small amount of oil over medium heat until its tender.

Orzo is a type of pasta thats similar to rice in shape, size, and texture.

Whole-wheat orzo packs more fiber and protein than regular orzo, which makes it the healthier choice.

Still, its fairly high in calories, providing about 50% more calories than an equal serving of white rice. Therefore, be sure to choose a portion size that is appropriate for your health goals (2, 14).

Whole-wheat orzo is a great source of fiber, which can help improve digestion by bulking up and softening your stool, as well as serving as a food source for your healthy gut bacteria (15, 16).

To prepare orzo, boil the pasta in water over medium heat until it reaches the tenderness you desire and drain it before serving.

You can shop for whole-wheat orzo locally, though it may be easier to find online.

Farro is a whole-grain wheat product that can be used similarly to rice, though its much nuttier in flavor and has a chewy texture. Its similar to barley but has larger grains.

Farro contains a hefty dose of protein and like quinoa is another excellent plant-based source of this important nutrient (17).

To ensure youre getting all nine essential amino acids, pair farro with legumes, such as chickpeas or black beans.

To prepare it, bring one part dried farro and three parts water to a low boil and cook it until the farro is tender.

If your supermarket doesnt have farro in stock, try shopping for it online.

Freekeh like barley and farro is a whole grain. It comes from wheat grains that are harvested while theyre still green.

Its rich in protein and fiber, with a 1/4-cup (40-gram) dried serving providing 8 and 4 grams of these important nutrients, respectively.

Whats more, the same serving packs 8% of the DV for iron, which is needed to create healthy red blood cells (18, 19).

Freekeh is cooked by bringing it to a boil with two parts water, then reducing the heat to medium and allowing the grain to simmer until its tender.

You can shop for freekeh locally or online.

Bulgur wheat is another whole-wheat substitute for rice.

Its similar in size and appearance to couscous, but whereas couscous is pasta made from wheat flour, bulgur wheat is small, cracked pieces of whole-wheat grains.

Its commonly used in tabbouleh, a Mediterranean salad dish that also features tomatoes, cucumbers, and fresh herbs.

With the exception of the vegetable-based alternatives on this list, bulgur wheat is the lowest in calories. It contains 76 calories in 1/2 cup (91 grams), about 25% fewer calories than an equal serving of white rice (2, 20).

Its a great rice alternative for those who are trying to cut calories but still want the familiar texture and flavor of a grain.

Bulgur wheat is cooked by boiling one part bulgur wheat and two parts water, then reducing the heat to medium and allowing the bulgur to cook until tender. Before serving, drain the excess water and fluff the cooked bulgur with a fork.

If you cant find bulgur wheat at your local supermarket, shopping online may be a convenient option.

There are many alternatives to rice that can help you meet your personal health goals or simply add variety to your diet.

Quinoa is a great gluten-free, high-protein option.

Vegetables, such as riced cauliflower, riced broccoli, and chopped cabbage, are low-calorie and low-carb alternatives packed with nutrients.

Plus, many whole-grain options, including bulgur, freekeh, and barley, can add a nutty, earthy taste and chewy texture to your dishes.

Next time you want to put rice aside and swap in something different, try one of the nutritious and diverse alternatives above.