Dried cranberries

[nelloyello11]

What are everyone's thoughts on offering dried cranberries? I know some people give dried fruit, but I have never tried it. I buy them ALL the time for myself, so they are always in the house. It appears that all brands of dried cranberries have (added) sugar, probably because cranberries alone are kind of bitter/sour.
I know sugar isn't a recommended addition to their diet, but once in a while, as a treat maybe?
What do you all think?

[cindy]

Cranberries are loaded with lots of good vitamins, but bear in mind dried fruit in general is higher in sugar concentrations due to being dried. Cranraisins have added sugar.

I am concerned about the added sugar and giving it to often can create issues....to much sugar can cause yeast.

this is in regards to parrots but the message is the same

http://ezinearticles.com/?Parrot-Food-- ... &id=734044

http://www.avianweb.com/candida.html

the other option is to look for dried sugar free cranberries and not the human food called Cranraisin

[nelloyello11]

but bear in mind dried fruit in general is higher in sugar concentrations due to being dried.

This had also crossed my mind.

I actually don't buy the Craisins brand; I usually opt for an off-brand or the bulk ones at the grocery store. But every single brand I find has sugar added
Maybe I should try to find some marketed for diabetics....

Thanks for the articles. I will check them out!

[RigorMortisKitten]

Personally, i wouldn't give the birds any dried fruits because of the high sugar content I've seen fresh cranberries in the stores though (i live in sweden) and i would prefer to give the birds the fresh ones! My birds seem to be afraid of fresh berries though maybe the colour is scary

[monotwine]

Yummy cranberries, my favourites. My birds could not wrestle some from me!

Lol seriously though, I'm sure there are probably safer alternatives with the same or similar nutrition. Ultimately we need to ask if the birds would get this from a natural diet. What do they need apposed to what we would want to give them.

[DanteD716]

I think fresh fruit are better then dried, but dried can still be good for them except for the sugar.