TikTok’s Jim Bros Eat Dog Food, Experts Say It May Be Harmful

Clarissy promised her viewers that if her video got 15,000 likes, she would try dog ​​food. After posting, his video got him 2.5 million likes.

“The dog food was very dry. I needed a lot of water after eating it,” Clarisie told BuzzFeed News in an email. It’s high in protein, but I eat steak and protein powder.”

of this video, he adds, “It’s for profit,” while eating Kibbles ‘n Bits. He chews the product, grimacing and gagging, before telling his followers, “I promise, it’s not worth it.”

So before you head over to your local PetSmart and even consider trying this approach for yourself, check out what dog food you eat, how much protein there really is per serving, how likely it is to cause food poisoning, and whether it’s actually labeled “for humans.” Here’s what you need to know about average. An expert told BuzzFeed News that just because your pet eats it doesn’t mean you should.

What’s in your dog food?

FDA will Pet food must be safe for animals to eatDog food that is produced under hygienic conditions and free of harmful substances does not fall under the same rules and regulations as human food, Melissa Majumdar, a spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, told BuzzFeed News. As a result, dog food products typically contain: Label for intended use.

Pet food includes not only animal by-products found in human food, such as bone meal and organs, but also breast and lungaccording to the Association of American Feed Control Officials, an organization that defines ingredients and sets labeling standards for feed regulators, it is not. , is not human.

“Most ingredients in dog food are similar to human food, but are intended to meet the needs of dogs rather than humans, who have different nutritional priorities,” Majumdar said. contains foods that we do not want to include in our diets. If you read the dog food ingredients, you will find chicken by-product meal and animal fat.

According to Tracy Navarra, veterinarian at Peachtree Hills Animal Hospital, the term “human grade” is sometimes used on dog food labels, but it doesn’t make much sense. “There is a misunderstanding about what ‘human grade’ means,” Navarre told BuzzFeed News. “Human edible food is vastly different and regulated by the FDA. Human grade means nothing.”

According to AAFCO, pet foods labeled as “human grade” not considered edible by humansIn most cases, that means it contains certain ingredients and is produced in a facility licensed to handle human food, but is not intended for human consumption.

That said, in an email to BuzzFeed News, Pedigree said: The manufacturing processes and research used in our products are comparable to, and in some cases better than, human food manufacturers. ”

However, like human food, pet food can be contaminated with bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli.

The CDC has labeled kibble, canned, and raw pet food safe, but it poses a risk of illness, especially if humans eat it. Product subject to recallListeria monocytogenes Included in recalled pet productscan cause mild to severe health problemsfrom abdominal pain to blood and nervous system infections.

Nutritional risks probably outweigh benefits

Dog food does not meet the nutritional requirements of human food, just as human food does not meet the nutritional requirements of dog food.

“The dog’s gut is endowed with the ability to deal with pathogens, bacteria, dirt, viruses, debris, parasites, etc. that the human gut is unaccustomed to,” Navarre said. “We are not the same and should not eat the same thing. Although the nutritional needs of proteins, carbohydrates and fats may not vary much between humans and dogs, it is a free choice to eat dog food.” It should not be the deciding factor when

A dog’s digestive system can break down protein faster and more efficiently than a human. produce more stomach acid Dogs are easier to digest bones and other ingredients in pet food than humans.

in general, Recommended Dietary Allowance for Protein A healthy adult has 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, so a person weighing 120 pounds needs 44 grams and a person weighing 150 pounds needs 55 grams of protein per day.

Protein is an important part of our diet, growth, and development, but eating too much adversely affect the bodycan cause bone, kidney, and liver problems, and can increase the risk of cancer and coronary artery disease.

So how much protein is actually in dog food?

Dog food Nutrition Facts labels are listed as dry matter or DM percentages. Dog food protein typically ranges from 8% to 18% DM depending on the age of the animal in question, Majumdar said. This means that one cup contains about 8-18 grams of protein, according to Majumdar. For reference, a small dog he consumes 1 cup a day, a medium dog about 2 cups, 3 cups large dog.

Clarisey got the information from MyFitnessPal. 200 grams of Pedigree dog food, or about 1 cuphad 666 grams of protein.

However, Pedigree told BuzzFeed News that the highest percentage of protein in any dog ​​food product is 28.7%, and dry dog ​​food may contain about 60 grams of protein instead of 666 grams. .

A MyFitnessPal spokesperson has refused to help us understand why our math doesn’t seem to be math, but that TikTokers seem to be making questionable, informed life decisions. has been confirmed.

“At MyFitnessPal, we saw an increase in people logging dog food due to a TikTok trend, driven by men aged 18 to 24 who want to gain or maintain weight. occurred primarily between February 20-24,” said Jen Whitman, spokesperson for MyFitnessPal.

Either way, consuming more than 600 grams of protein is not healthy. It’s about two to three times the daily amount considered safe even for bodybuilders.

“Excessive amounts of protein put a strain on the kidneys, liver, and bones,” Majumdar said. “People who eat too much protein can develop kidney stones, constipation, and weight gain.” , you may miss out on essential nutrients and fiber found in other food groups.

According to UK Pet Food, pet food may contain sodium levels. not a cause for concern In animals, it can cause hypertension in humans. Pets can eat dry or wet foods that contain sodium without the increased thirst and water consumption that humans do.

“The dry dog ​​food featured in some TikTok videos can also be difficult to chew and digest,” says Majumdar. is dependent on food, so eating mostly dry food can affect hydration.”

Luckily, there are other options available that don’t require you to head down the pet food aisle.

Alternative to protein intake

We Get It: Protein and Other Nutrient-Fueled Training May Help Builds Muscle Mass and Strength for Athletic PerformanceHowever, carbohydrates are important for athletic performance and endurance and can provide energy to support physical activity.

In fact, you may need more carbs than protein. 45% to 65% of calories from carbohydratesThis equates to approximately 225 to 235 grams per day on a 2,000 calorie diet. “They fuel fitness sessions and provide the energy to build muscle,” Majumdar said. You may not have ingested it.”

However, if you’re keen on getting protein, there are cheap and safe ways to get enough protein in your diet. meat, fish, low-fat dairy, eggs, beans, tofu, edamame, or lean protein such as whey or soy protein powders are all good ways to get more protein, he said. .

“If you’re looking for a low-cost option, beans, both canned and dried, and canned meats like chicken and tuna will save you money. Eggs are usually less expensive than meat,” Majumdar says. says. “Plant-based proteins such as beans and lentils help you save money and are nutritious and rich in fiber, protein and B vitamins. It’s about 48 cents per serving.Get educated and save fat and cents on beans.”