The senior meal of chicken, pearled barley, and zucchini is a balanced dish designed for senior dogs that need to maintain lean body mass without exceeding calorie intake. Barley is an ancient cereal that is highly digestible, rich in soluble fibers that help maintain intestinal regularity, which is often compromised in senior dogs.
Ingredients
- 180 g of skinless chicken breast
- 100 g of pearled barley
- 200 g of zucchini
- 80 g of carrots
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of extra virgin olive oil
- 1 bunch of fresh parsley
Method
- Rinse the pearled barley and cook it in plenty of unsalted water for 35 minutes, until it is soft. Drain it.
- Boil the chicken breast in unsalted water for 12 minutes, then shred it finely.
- Wash the zucchini and carrots, cut everything into very small cubes, and steam for 8 minutes.
- In a bowl, combine the barley, chicken, and vegetables.
- Add the EVO oil and chopped parsley, mix, and let it cool slightly before serving.
Notes
For senior dogs, it’s important to maintain a good protein intake to counteract sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss). Chicken is a highly digestible lean protein. Zucchini is low in calories and high in water, perfect for not weighing down the diet. Pearled barley is a great alternative to rice, to be alternated to vary nutritional intake.
Storage
In the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. It can be frozen in portions for up to 2 months.