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What foods can my bearded dragon eat? Is lettuce, banana, or berries safe?
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Reptile | Bearded Dragon | Female | unspayed | 6 years and 3 months old
Can a beardie eat lettuce I have heard that it’s bad for them. Also, can she eat banana , strawberry’s, and raspberry? She likes those a lot.
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on November 27th, 2017
Spinach is also another food to avoid. While spinach is healthy, calcium binds easily to it which can make it hard for your bearded dragon to digest.
Do not feed your bearded dragons avocados. They are toxic, but their toxicity levels are unknown so it's best to avoid them.
Your Bearded Dragon's diet should replicate what she would eat in the wild. It should include insects, vegetables, fruit and greens.
Insects:
Crickets
Mealworms
Kingworms
Waxworms
Earthworms
Cockroaches
Locusts
Fruits:
Figs
Kiwi
Melon
Apples
Mango
Papaya
Dates
Peaches
Apricots
Plums
Strawberries
Vegetable list:
Broccoli
Ocra
Peas
Green beans
Butternut squash
Sweet potato
Bell pepper
Greens:
Kale
Collards
Parsley
Clover
Dandelion greens
Turnip greens
Mustard greens
Endive
Here are some items they can eat occasionally: sprouts, tomatoes, blueberries, pears, grated carrots, banana, grapes and cucumber.
You will need to prepare some of fruit and veggies by taking the peel off and/or cutting it down into bite-sized pieces.
This is a good article that has more information that may help you:
http://www.thebeardeddragon.org/bearded-dragon-nutrition-data.php#fruit
Hope this helps. Best wishes.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpfulRelated Answers from Veterinarians
Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Published on January 29th, 2018
Her diet is not nutritionally balanced. An adult beardie (12 months and older) should be eating mostly fresh greens and vegetables, about 75-80% of the diet with the remainder comprised of protein (crickets, dubia roaches, etc). For juveniles, the percentages are reversed. All food should be appropriately sized to make eating easier. The rule of thumb is to offer no greens or prey that is bigger than the space between the eyes. A multivitamin and a calcium supplement are also critical to good health.
A bearded dragon also need appropriate temperature and UVB lighting. There should be a cool side, warm side and a basking area. The UVB light should be unobstructed and no more than 14-16 inches from th3e surface of the tank. You can find specifics for diet and environment here:
http://www.anapsid.org/bearded.html
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=17+1796&aid=2730
The gagging may be diet related or not. The black beard is a sign of stress. These symptoms could be nutritional, environmental or medical in cause. Ideally, she should be examined by an experienced herp veterinarian.
For now, correct any environmental or nutritional parameters if necessary. Soak her in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 15-20 minutes daily. This will provide warmth and hydration. If there are constipation issues, a gentle abdominal massage (front to back) during the soak may stimulate defecation.
If the behavior persists or worsens, a physical exam with a vet would be strongly recommended. Submit a stool sample to diagnose intestinal parasites.1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Published on May 13th, 2018
A young bearded dragon, under 1 year old, should be fed daily. Fed a variety of appropriately sized prey including crickets, dubia roaches, mealworms and Phoenix worms. Gut load all prey for 24 hours prior to offering to maximize nutritional value. This can be done by feeding a high protein baby cereal or tropical fish flakes. Dust all prey with a multivitamin. Dust all prey, except phoenix worms, with a calcium supplement.
Feed as many as he will eat in 10-15 minutes.
Offer fresh greens and vegetables as well. Be sure they are diced small enough to eat easily.
You can review care information at the link below.
http://www.anapsid.org/bearded.html1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Published on June 3rd, 2017
Yes, these can be fed to a bearded dragon. All prey should be appropriately sized, no bigger than the space between your beardie's eyes. Prey should also be gut loaded for 24 hours prior to offering and dusted with a vitamin and mineral supplement. The frequency of dusting depends on age.
Some plant matter should also be offered. It should make up about 20% of the diet. Green beans, collard greens, escarole, squash, carrots, mustard greens, cantelope, raspberries and mango are just a few veggies and fruit that can be fed.1Pet Parents found this answer helpful