The latter is almost certainly a healthier way of living, but might require some adjustment of the tastebuds of the average person. For instance, turnip greens, tasty tidbits favored by most, leave the keeper with an overwhelming amount of turnips. Spinach, mustard greens, collards, or kale often seldom included on the menu in the average household. To provide such items, the hobbyist might plant a small vegetable garden, or possibly buy such vegetables when in season.
Most domestic foods have considerably lower protein and calcium values compared to roughage.
Lettuce, the tortoises' favorite food, has very little nutritional value and should be fed only as an appetizer. Although food values can readily be obtained from standard references, it is difficult to apply these values to tortoise consumption because food items are measured in different units. This is an attempt to compile a chart of the food value of the more common vegetables. Serving Suggestions Grated stems of broccoli and cauliflower, mixed with your choice of roughage, usually appeals even to the most spoiled tortoise. To this mixture chopped leaves of less palatable vegetables may be added and served on crisp turnip greens or juicy lettuce.