Sprouting broccoli seeds

Sprouting broccoli seeds

I promise you, if you give it a go, you’ll see that Sprouting is Worth It!

It really is the epitome of minimum effort, maximum return.

Broccoli sprouts

Broccoli sprouts are Brassica vegetables with anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties[1]. And they are as good for dogs as they are for humans: if you’re adding broccoli sprouts to your smoothie, just make an extra dollop for your dog! Try this blueberry and broccoli sprouts smoothie, for example.

Digestibility

Sprouting, or germination, is a very easy process that makes food more digestible. Soaking reduces the phytic acid that interferes with mineral absorption and is a barrier to enzyme activity. And germinating seeds contain many more bioactive phytochemicals than the adult plant (although some figures you’ll see online might – just possibly – be exaggerated!). Studies have even experimented with using broccoli sprout powder as an ingredient in spaghetti to increase the mineral and protein content.[2]

Method

So, here’s what to do to add this cheap and nourishing ingredient to your dog’s diet (and your own).

Put the desired amount of broccoli seeds in the jar. By preference, make sure that you buy organic seeds that are certified as tested. Because the seeds are so small, it’s easy to get carried away and be over-generous. So start off with two or three tablespoons for your first attempt; once you have an idea of how many sprouts this will produce, you’ll know how many you need in your next batch.

Screw the lid on firmly. Add water, rinse the seeds and drain. Refill, this time allowing the seeds to soak in the water for approximately 12 hours. This starts the sprouting process.

After the initial soaking period, drain the water, rinse the seeds and tilt the jar at an angle to drain excess water. This process should be repeated twice daily until the seeds have sprouted. Make sure that water is drained thoroughly each time and then position the jar at an angle.

If you notice something that looks a bit fuzzy or furry near the stem, don’t worry. It isn’t mould – these are just mini root hairs, they will disappear when the sprouts are rinsed! (Make sure when you rinse that you disturb the sprouts; this will discourage the furry growth.)

 

Ta-da!! The finished product.

 

References:

[1] Nieves Baenas, Isabel Gómez-Jodar, Diego A. Moreno, Cristina García-Viguera, Paula M. Periago, Broccoli and radish sprouts are safe and rich in bioactive phytochemicals, Postharvest Biology and Technology, Volume 127, 2017, Pages 60-67, ISSN 0925-5214, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2017.01.010.

[2] Jelena Bokić, Dubravka Škrobot, Jelena Tomić, Vanja Šeregelj, Ángel Abellán-Victorio, Diego A. Moreno, Nebojša Ilić, Broccoli sprouts as a novel food ingredient: Nutritional, functional and sensory aspects of sprouts enriched pasta, LWT, Volume 172, 2022, 114203, ISSN 0023-6438, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2022.114203.

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Important Considerations:

• Always consult your veterinarian before making any significant dietary changes, particularly where there are pre-existing health conditions or dietary restrictions.
• As some commercial foods contain broccoli as an ingredient, check the label to see whether it’s in your dog’s food before giving more. Excessive intake of any foods can have adverse effects.
• Ensure (where possible) that you use high-quality, organic products specifically formulated for pets (or better still, human grade ingredients) to avoid any potential adverse effects.
• Introduce new foods gradually to avoid adverse effects such as gastrointestinal upset or diarrhoea.
• I provide nutritional information purely as a helpful guide. Nutritional information on ingredients is obtained from the US Department of Agriculture’s FoodData Central site (https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/index.html) and any nutritional information provided in recipes is based on an online calculator: calories and other information will vary based on brands, ingredients and other factors.
• Check nutrient levels and recommendations for your dog’s weight, age and activity. For example this nutritional guideline produced by FEDIAF.