Vegetables

Alfalfa Sprouts

Tiny, silvery shoots of germinating alfalfa seeds. Mild in taste and crunchy.
Pick small, tender, yet crisp sprouts with buds attached. Avoid any that smell musty or have dark slime.
Store in the original ventilated plastic box or in plastic bag to be kept in fridge up to 2 days.
Chop off any roots on the sprouts. The seed end do not need to be removed. Rinse well in water and feed 3-4 strands to each hamster.
Contains calories, protein, carbohydrate, total fat and fiber.

Asparagus

Classified under the lily family.
Pick bright green firm spears with closed, compact tips. Fat and skinny spears are equally tender.
Store unwashed in plastic bag to be kept in fridge up to 4 days.
Rinse in water then cut or snap off paler colored tough ends. No need to peel. Cut a spear into 2-4 and feed to the hamsters accordingly.
Contains calories, protein, carbohydrate and fiber. Excellent source of Folate and Potassium. Good source of Vitamin A and C.

Bean Sprouts

Sprouts of germinating green mung beans.
Pick those that are not wilted, too moist or slimy
Store unwashed in plastic bag to be kept in fridge up to 2 days.
Soak in water for few minutes, drain water and feed 3-4 strands to each hamster.
Contains calories, protein, carbohydrate, total fat and fiber.

Bok Choy

An asian member, classified under the cabbage family that has a mild flavor. Consists of long, thick, white stalks topped by intensely blue-green leaves. Also known as pak choi, pak choy, bok choi, spoon cabbage, taisai, celery mustard and chinese mustard. Baby bok choy is smaller and more tender than mature bok choy. Shanghai pak choi is similar to bok choy except it has pale green stalks with leaves that are just slightly darker than the stalk.
Pick firm stalks and leaves that are not yellowing/wilting.
Store in unsealed plastic bag to be kept in fridge. Best to consume in 3-4 days.
Chop off enough of the base before washing. Stalks has to be cleaned individually. Soak stalks and leaves in water for 10 minutes and squeeze in lime juice to rid off the pesticides. Using a vegetable brush if they are especially dirty at the base of the stalk. Break one leave into 2-3 pieces and feed to the hamsters accordingly.
Contains calories, protein, carbohydrate, total fat and fiber.

Broccoli

Classified under the cabbage family. Has top crowns of tender, edible, green flower buds.
Pick bright green, firm, tender stalks and have a fresh smell. Avoid yellowing leaves/flower buds, limp stalks, wilting heads, has pungent odor or stalks that are thick and woody.
Store unwashed in plastic bag to be kept in fridge. Best to consume in 3-4 days after purchase.
Soak in water for 10 minutes and squeeze in lime juice to rid off the pesticides. Cut the head into florets and feed to the hamsters in moderate amounts.
Contains calories, protein, carbohydrate, total fat, fiber, calcium and iron. Excellent source of Vitamin A and Vitamin C. Good source of Folate.

Cabbage

Classified under the cabbage family.
Pick firm, heavy head with fresh looking, unblemished leaves.
Store tightly wrapped in plastic bag to be kept in fridge, up to 1 week.
Pluck out each leave, soak in water for 10 minutes and squeeze in lime juice to rid off the pesticides. Drain and break into 4-6 small pieces and feed to the hamsters in moderate amounts as excess of it can cause them problems.
Contains calories, protein, carbohydrate, total fat and fiber. Excellent source of Vitamin C.

Capsicum (Sweet Peppers)

Classified under the capsicum family. Range in color from green to yellow, orange, red, purple, and black.
Pick firm, heavy ones with deeply colored and shiny skin that are not shriveled, soft, or limp.
Store in plastic bag to be kept in fridge. Best to consume in 4-5 days.
Rinse in water. Cut into half; remove the stem, seeds, interior membranes and feed to hamsters in moderate amounts.
Contains calories, protein, carbohydrate, total fat and fiber. Excellent source of Vitamin A and Vitamin C.

Carrot

Classified under the root family.
Pick firm and bright ones without cracks on the sides or sprouts where the green tops have been removed.
Store in plastic bag to be kept in fridge up to 1 week.
Lightly scrub the skin in running water and slice into circles, halve it and feed to the hamsters accordingly.
Contains calories, protein, carbohydrate, total fat, fiber, calcium, iron and phosphorus. Excellent source of Vitamin A. Good source of Vitamin C.

Cauliflower

Classified under the cabbage family.
Pick firm, heavy head with compact cream colored florets and no brown specks on it
Store unwashed in plastic bag with holes poked to be kept in fridge. Best to consume in 2 days.
Soak in water for 10 minutes and squeeze in lime juice to rid off the pesticides. Wash well, pull away the green leaves and cut the head into florets and feed to the hamsters in moderate amounts. The green leaves at the base are edible but have a stronger flavor than the florets.
Contains calories, protein, carbohydrate, total fat and fiber. Excellent source of Vitamin C. Good source of Folate.

Celery

Pick firm, tightly formed bunches with crisp, green leaves.
Store in plastic bag to be kept in fridge up to 1 week.
Soak stalks and leaves in water for 10 minutes and squeeze in lime juice to rid off the pesticides. Trim the leaves and the base and feed to the hamsters in moderate amounts.
Contains calories, protein, carbohydrate, total fat and fiber.

Corn

Classified under the grass family.
Pick fresh green, tightly fitting husks with golden brown silk and tip ends that are free from rot and decay. Ears should be evenly overed with plump, consistently sized kernels. Avoid those with husks pulled back, discolored and dry-looking husks, stem ends and kernels.
Refrigerate the entire pack immediately after purchase. Best to consume in 3-4 days.
Remove leaves and silk, soak in water for 10 minutes and squeeze in lime juice to rid off the pesticides. Chop into circles, halve/quarter it and feed to the hamsters accordingly.
Contains calories, protein, carbohydrate, total fat and fiber.

Cucumber

Classified under the gourd family.
Pick the local and not japanese ones which are supposed to be drier and sweeter which most hamsters do not fancy. Look out for firm ones with smooth, bright skins and no signs of shriveling/soft spots.
Refrigerate in plastic bag with holes poked, up to 5 days.
Soak in water for 10 minutes and squeeze in lime juice to rid off the pesticides. Lightly scrub the skin and slice into circles, halve/quarter it and feed to the hamsters accordingly.
Contains calories, protein, carbohydrate, total fat and fiber.

French Beans

Classified under the bean family.
Pick slender, crisp, brightly colored and blemish-free pods.
Stored unwashed in plastic bag to be kept in fridge. Best to consume in 3-4 days.
Soak in water for 10 minutes and squeeze in lime juice to rid off the pesticides. Drain, trim the tips and cut into 2-3 small pieces and feed to the hamsters accordingly.
Contains calories, protein, carbohydrate, total fat and fiber.

Long Beans

Classified under the bean family.
Pick slender, crisp, brightly colored and blemish-free pods.
Stored unwashed in plastic bag to be kept in fridge. Best to consume in 3-4 days.
Soak in water for 10 minutes and squeeze in lime juice to rid off the pesticides. Drain, trim the tips and cut into small pieces and feed to the hamsters in moderate amounts.
Contains calories, protein, carbohydrate, total fat and fiber.

Romaine Lettuce

Classified under leaf lettuce. Has an elongated head, green outer leaves and a fresh, slightly bitter center.
Pick tightly packed heads with fresh green leaves that is not wilting and has no blemishes.
Wrap in paper towels and store in plastic bag to be kept in fridge up to 5 days.
Remove all the leaves, soak in water for 10 minutes and squeeze in lime juice to rid off the pesticides and wash off the soil/dirt. Break one leave into 2-3 small pieces and feed to the hamsters in moderate amounts as excess of it can cause them liver problems.
Contains calories, protein, carbohydrate, total fat and fiber. Good sources of Vitamin A and Vitamin C.

Snow Peas

Classified under the legume family.
Pick brightly colored, crisp pods that have fresh-looking leaflets and small seeds.
Store in plastic bag to be kept in fridge up to 3 days.
Pinch off the ends and soak in water for 10 minutes and squeeze in lime juice to rid off the pesticides. Cut one into half and feed to the hamsters accordingly.
Contains calories, protein, carbohydrate, total fat and fiber. Excellent source of Vitamin A and Vitamin C.

Spinach

A mild-flavored vegetable with succulent leaves that are deep green, slightly wrinkled or flat.
Pick slightly crisp and bright green ones. Avoid yellowing, wet and rotting leaves.
Wrap unwashed spinach in a paper towel and store in a plastic bag to be kept in fridge. Best to consume in 2-3 days.
As spinach is usually very sandy, thorough washing is required. Chop off the roots, remove the leaves and soak in water for 10 minutes and squeeze in lime juice to rid off the pesticides. Change water when necessary and repeat until water is clear. Break one stalk into 2-3 small pieces and feed to the hamsters accordingly.
Contains calories, protein, carbohydrate, total fat, fiber, calcium, iron and Vitamin K. Excellent source of Vitamin A. Good sources of Vitamin C and Folate.

Sweet Potato

Classified under root family. Range in color from orange to white, yellow and purple.
Pick the smooth skins and have no bruises or growing buds.
Store unwashed in cool areas within a week. As cold can damage them, should not be kept in fridge. Best to consume in 4-5 days.
Soak in water and scrub well with a vegetable brush. Peel skin and cut in thin slices. Soak the slices in water for 5 minutes and feed 2-4 thin slices to the hamsters accordingly.
Contains calories, protein, carbohydrate, total fat and fiber. Excellent source of Vitamin A and Vitamin C.

Watercress

Classified under the mustard family.
Pick bright green ones and avoid yellowing, wet and rotting leaves.
Wrap unwashed and store in a plastic bag to be kept in fridge. Best to consume in 2-3 days.
Soak in water for 10 minutes and squeeze in lime juice to rid off the pesticides. Drain and feed 2-3 small strands with leaves to each hamster.
Contains thiamin, riboflavin, nicotinic acid, iron, calcium, Vitamin A and Vitamin E. Excellent source of Vitamin C. Known to have medicinal value in treating stomachaches, rheumatism, throat inflammation and as a blood purifying agent.

Wheatgrass

Classified under the grass family. Cream of the crop, baby wheat.
Pick bright green and avoid yellowing ones.
Keep the original pack unwashed in the fridge. Best to consume in 2 days.
Rinse in water, drain and feed 1-2 strands to each hamster.
Contains anti-aging properties which include Vitamin A, Vitamin B complex, Vitamin C and Vitamin E. High in chlorophyll, enzymes, protein and has no starch. Can be chewed for a fast and highly effective way of eliminating internal waste from the body and therefore allow proper absorption of nutritious foods.

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Updated on 24th Feb 2008

Disclaimer: Above is a recommended intake guide fed to our hamsters. Chipmon Hamstery will not be responsible for any consequences.