WHY KOREAN SWEET POTATO IS THE PERFECT DOG TREAT
By Sandee Hong
Korean sweet potato is a nutritional powerhouse. It’s packed with antioxidants, heart-healthy minerals, and immune-boosting vitamins.
Not only that, these deliciously sweet root veggies are high in fiber and have only trace amounts of fat. But do these nutritional benefits translate for dogs? You bet! Here’s a look at what makes the Korean sweet potato one of the best vegetables to incorporate into your dog’s diet.
BRAIN AND IMMUNE SYSTEM BOOSTER
Korean sweet potatoes are a rich source of B vitamins, which are critical for proper brain and nervous system function. These include:
- Biotin
- Niacin
- Thiamine
- Pantothenic acid
- Riboflavin
- Folate
- Vitamin B6
RICH IN ANTIOXIDANTS
We all know antioxidants are good for us. But why? One reason is that antioxidants keep free radicals in check. Free radicals are molecules that can cause oxidation in your body. Too much oxidative stress can lead to a host of diseases and premature aging.
Korean sweet potatoes have potent antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals. These antioxidants include:
- Vitamin A (Beta-carotene)
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Polyphenols (the good stuff in red wine)
MINERALS FOR HEART HEALTH
Korean sweet potatoes also contain the following minerals that help regulate blood pressure and maintain strong, healthy heart function:
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Calcium
GREAT FOR WEIGHT LOSS AND DIABETICS
Despite their naturally rich, sweet flavor, Korean sweet potatoes are a low-glycemic carbohydrate, so they won’t send blood glucose levels skyrocketing. Low-glycemic carbs are slowly digested and absorbed by your body. These types of foods help with weight loss, managing diabetes, and lowering the risk of heart disease and other health problems.
OK, so this all sounds great, you might think. But now the question is, will my dog eat it?
A TASTE AND FLAVOR DOGS LOVE
We’ll bet your dog loves Korean sweet potato! What makes the Korean variety so appealing (to both dogs and us humans) is its deliciously sweet flavor and velvety texture.
Our original four-legged fanatic of Korean sweet potato was Lucy, a Maltese who lived to be 17 years old and was the fussiest eater you’d ever met. It was her all-time favorite snack and meal topper.
HOW TO SAFELY ADD KOREAN SWEET POTATO TO YOUR DOG’S DIET
As with any new food, you’ll want to slowly introduce Korean sweet potato to your dog’s diet. Since Korean sweet potatoes are high in fiber, they’re a great way to maintaining a digestive system in tip-top shape. In other words, they’ll help keep your pup regular! Making sure your dog gets the right amount of fiber also makes clean-up time easier and a little more pleasant.
If you want to feed your pup Korean sweet potato on its own, just be sure to cook it. Boiling, roasting, and microwaving all work. Start out with just a tablespoon at a time for big dogs and a teaspoon for small dogs. (And trust us, you’ll want to eat whatever’s leftover.)
A GOOD SOURCE OF FIBER FOR YOUR PUP
Gogoma is a fun, convenient way to treat your pets to all the nutritional benefits of Korean sweet potato without any added funny stuff. Our recipes are filled with healthy, flavorful whole-food ingredients. Never any preservatives, natural or artificial flavorings, corn, wheat or soy.
A Gogoma Fun Pack includes all four recipes at a discount, plus it ships free!
Treat your pup to Gogoma, and let us know what recipes they love most!
Note: Nutritional information compiled from research studies published in Preventive Nutrition and Food Science, Molecular Nutrition and Food Research, and Food & Nutrition Research.