written by Kerie Campbell 2005

If you’ve decided to get rid of commercial diet completely, and go natural, here is a list of the recommended human-grade beginner foods. These are the highest in nutrition and will make a good base for adding fresh fruit, vegetables and meat too.

Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (olive oil will do in a pinch) for cooking eggs, etc.
Hemp seed meal (very high in HUFAs, and extremely nutritious)
Spirulina (if you can get only one algae product, this alone can just about
replace commercial diet)
Rooibos (high in many nutrients, and vitamin C)
Dandelion leaf and root
Flax seed or seed meal
Red raspberry leaf

Add a couple of the following dried flowers or flower products:

rose hips and petals
chamomile
clover
calendula
jasmine
hibiscus

Add some dried fruit (unsweetened and free of sulfur dioxide or other additives):

pineapple
coconut
raisins
persimmon

If there is still room for more purchases, here is the list I recommend you choose from:
amaranth or quinoa
almonds or walnuts
raw pumpkin or sunflower seed
blue corn meal
kelp powder
wheat germ
chlorella or blue-green algae

The more variety you can provide your crabs, the better they will eat. This list represents the most nutritious foods on the main Epicurean Hermit food list. They will have the highest impact when mixed and offered with fresh foods, and will provide an excellent base for creating homemade crab food.

We highly recommend keeping worm castings and greensand on hand and in your tank daily. Both are highly nutritious and are loved by hermit crabs.

Dirty Dozen Food List

What is it?

amaranth

flaxseedmeal

quinoa

rooibus

shelled hempseed