These days, it’s pretty easy to know that your dog’s diet is one of the primary deciding factors and overall lifelong health. We recently had the opportunity to review all of Blue Buffalo’s recipe lines to see what they offer and what they’re all about.
We are very impressed with Blue Buffalo’s sterling reputation, constantly creating new recipe lines to cater to the up-and-coming changes in the dog food market.
For your convenience, we rounded up the best Blue Buffalo dog foods we could find so you can get a good look at what each one of them offers. Take a look at our reviews.
A Glance at Our Winners in 2024
Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall | Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula |
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Best Value | Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Beef Dinner |
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Premium Choice | Blue Buffalo Wilderness Salmon Recipe |
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Best for Puppies | Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy |
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Best for Weight Management | Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Healthy Weight |
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The 10 Best Blue Buffalo Dog Foods
1. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula – Best Overall
Main ingredients | Deboned lamb, fish meal, brown rice, oatmeal, barley, pea starch |
Protein content | 22.00% |
Fat content | 14.00% |
Calories | 381 per cup |
If you’re looking for a standard premium diet, making the best life for your dog—it’s Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula. This particular recipe is Blues normal everyday diet to keep adult dogs their healthiest.
It is not tailored to meet the needs of sensitive dogs with food intolerances but rather to support the lifestyle of your active lab. Like all Blues recipes, this kibble contains their signature life source bits which contain an abundance of antioxidants to keep their system functioning properly.
It also contains lamb as the very first ingredient, ensuring a full protein source. This recipe has 22% protein on the guaranteed analysis, which is average for most standard dog foods.
Overall, we recommend this Blue recipe because it meets the nutritional profiles for most dogs. Plus, it has a modest price tag and is readily available inventory in most stores.
- Protein-rich lamb is first ingredient
- Well-balanced for everyday nutrition
- LifeSource Bits
- Not as common as chicken & beef formulas
2. Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Beef Dinner Canned Dog Food – Best Value
Main ingredients | Beef, beef broth, beef liver, carrots, peas, sweet potatoes, brown rice, barley, oatmeal |
Protein content | 8.50% |
Fat content | 6.00% |
Calories | 398 per can |
If you’re looking for savings, consider Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Beef Dinner with Garden Vegetables & Sweet Potatoes Canned Dog Food. What we love about it is that you can get it in addition to your pet’s dry food to make your dollar really stretch.
If you use a combination of wet and dry ingredients, your dog has a higher flavor experience, different nutritional distribution, and a texture variety. However, this option might get more expensive if you use it as a standalone diet, especially for large breeds.
We think the ingredients are above standard, containing a fair amount of water content, organ matter, and antioxidant-packed fruits and veggies.
This recipe should appeal to even the pickiest canines. But keep in mind to brush, brush, brush, if this is going to serve as a standalone diet.
- Savory recipe
- Different textures
- Makes a great topper
- Can get expensive as a standalone diet
3. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Salmon Recipe – Premium Choice
Main ingredients | Deboned salmon, chicken meal, peas, pea protein, fish meal |
Protein content | 34.00% |
Fat content | 15.00% |
Calories | 415 per cup |
We have a Blue recipe here that’s a little pricier than some, but we think it’s well worth it. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Salmon contains a wonderfully nourishing protein source that gives your dog boundless energy and lean muscle tone.
This particular recipe contains a very high amount of protein, measuring 34% in the guaranteed analysis. The first several ingredients are deboned salmon and chicken meal, with a source of glucosamine and concentrated protein.
If you have an extremely active dog that loves to be on the go, the caloric intake in this particular recipe will replenish any calories last. It has an excellent carbohydrate source, depending on potatoes, peas, and other ingredients to act as grains.
This recipe is definitely more expensive than their standard lines. However, we think many dogs could benefit from this recipe’s nutritional perks.
- Excellent protein content
- Perfect for high-energy dogs
- Suitable for gluten-sensitive pups
- Not every dog benefits from grain-free diets
4. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy – Best for Puppies
Main ingredients | Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, oatmeal, barley |
Protein content | 27.00% |
Fat content | 16.00% |
Calories | 400 per cup |
If you have a growing dog, Blue has tons of options, including size-specific formulas. However, this recipe is meant for all growing pups across the board—we think the Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy value from Chewy is fabulous.
This package deal contains DHA for brain and cognitive development, which is beyond essential for growing pups. Also, the kibble pieces are perfectly sized for your little one’s mouth—no matter the breed size.
Since this pack contains both dry kibble and wet canned food, you can add them together for a delightfully savory, crunchy combo, providing nutrient benefits like LifeSource Bits and added hydration to the diet.
Both of these recipes contain chicken as the first ingredient. In addition, plenty of fantastic ingredients give your pup the best start in life. We think this double duo will help your little one’s appetite, nourishment, and nutrient absorption without worrying about dental issues. What’s not to love?
- Wet/Dry combo
- Excellent content for growing pups
- Perfectly sized kibble pieces
- Pricey upfront
5. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe – Best for Weight Management
Main ingredients | Deboned beef, beef meal, peas, pea protein, tapioca starch |
Protein content | 30.00% |
Fat content | 10.00% |
Calories | 355 |
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Healthy Weight is an ideal formula if you have a dog that needs to watch its weight but also requires high protein. You can count your dog’s calories while pumping them full of real deboned beef.
This recipe is crafted to promote lean muscle mass and healthy bodily structure, containing important nutrients like L-carnitine and LifeSource bits. They aim to create joint support without the added caloric content.
This recipe contains real deboned beef as the first ingredient, which is a healthy, typically high-fat red meat—without the extra fat! In one serving, the guaranteed analysis reads 30.0% protein, which is much higher than most standard diets.
If you want to keep calories moderate without scrimping on protein, this is the best choice we could think of. Of course, it’s a specialized diet and not meant for healthy, active adults.
- Helps control extra pounds
- Supports joints
- Low calorie, high protein
- Not necessary for adults of healthy weight
6. Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Senior
Main ingredients | Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, carrots, peas, brown rice |
Protein content | 7.50% |
Fat content | 4.50% |
Calories | 396 per cup |
We absolutely love the Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe for seniors—and so did our old guys. This recipe is a wet food addition to Blue’s lineup, introducing a savory chicken dinner with real chicken and chicken broth as the first in gradient.
For added joint and muscle support, it also contains organs like chicken liver, nourishing an aging pooch. With added glucosamine and chondroitin, this can keep your buddy mobile and active.
No wheat here! It contains garden veggies like carrots and peas for eye health and ideal carb source. Plus, instead of using potentially irritating ingredients, it contains brown rice—a highly digestible grain.
This recipe is the best for seniors because it is so easy to chew. So, if you have a dog with dental issues or tooth sensitivities, this canned food can help your dog eat comfortably.
- Easily digestible grains and veggies
- Easy to chew
- Ideal for mobility support
- For seniors only
- It might contribute to tooth plaque
7. Blue Basics Skin & Stomach Care Grain-free
Main ingredients | Deboned salmon, peas, potatoes, pea starch, salmon meal |
Protein content | 20.00% |
Fat content | 12.00% |
Calories | 349 per cup |
If your dog is a little sensitive, don’t worry—there is Blue Basic Skin and Stomach Care. This grain-free option soothes finicky bellies to create suitable digestion and reduce upset.
This recipe starts off with deboned salmon as the number one ingredient to ensure a solid protein source. Salmon is rich in omega-fatty acids that help the skin and coat shine while reducing hot spots, skin irritation, and hair loss related to food allergies.
The formula contains pea fiber and pumpkin to replace a grain-based carbohydrate source. Pumpkin is ultra-digestible and not irritating like wheat, soy, corn, and other harsh grains.
If your dog has any dairy or egg sensitivities, this recipe avoids using those ingredients too. Instead, you have an immune support blend of nutrients that creates a wonderful recipe with Blue’s classic LifeSource Bits—a burst of antioxidants.
We give this Blue recipe a big thumbs up. However, the protein is incredibly low—coming in at 20% on the guaranteed analysis. If you need a burst of protein added, you might consider a supplement or even a wet or fresh food topper to it.
- Specially designed for sensitive dogs
- Uses salmon for skin and coat
- No dairy, eggs, common proteins, or grains
- Low protein levels
8. Blue Buffalo True Solutions Small & Mighty – Best for Small Dogs
Main ingredients | Deboned chicken, chicken meal, barley, oatmeal, brown rice, salmon meal, chicken fat |
Protein content | 28.00% |
Fat content | 16.00% |
Calories | 395 per cup |
If you have a small breed, you might love Blue Buffalo True Solutions Small & Mighty. It is specifically designed to serve the dietary needs of small to toy breeds—using Classic LifeSource Bits and TruMune for healthy immune system function.
This particular recipe has more protein than its average recipe lines. This helps little dogs maintain muscle mass to keep them fit and act a comfortable weight.
This recipe contains lots of wonderful nutrients to keep your little guy or gal doing their best. It contains prebiotics, L carnitine, and glucosamine. This helps protect their sensitive joints and create a healthy body structure and immune system.
When it comes to hitting target health, we’d say this is right on the money for smaller canine companions.
- Offers TruMune immune support
- Builds muscle mass
- Suitable calories, fat, and protein content
- For small breeds only
9. Blue Buffalo True Solutions Livin’ Large – Best for Large Dogs
Main ingredients | Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, oatmeal, barley, dried plain beet pulp |
Protein content | 24.00% |
Fat content | 14.00% |
Calories | 362 per cup |
Blue Buffalo True Solutions Livin’ Large is specifically formulated to meet the dietary requirements of large breeds. Because larger breeds tend to grow rapidly and require lots of joint support and muscle maintenance, this recipe does the job.
It caters to all aspects of big dog health and will meet the dietary requirements of most healthy adults. This recipe is completely balanced, including L carnitine, EPA, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
These ingredients support muscles, tendons, joints, and organs. It has a ton of vitamins and minerals with Blues signature life source bits and TruMune.
This recipe best suits larger breeds with low to moderate activity levels. It doesn’t contain a suitable number of calories or protein percentages for very active breeds.
- Supports joints
- Has TruMune for immune support
- For modest activity levels
- Not best for high-energy large breeds
10. Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet – Best Veterinary Diet
Main ingredients | Deboned alligator, peas, pea starch, alligator meal, pea protein, tapioca starch, potato starch |
Protein content | 22.00% |
Fat content | 14.00% |
Calories | 372 per cup |
Blue Buffalo has some excellent specialized prescription diets available for different sensitivities. Since proteins are one of the most common allergies in pets, we enjoyed Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet Novel Protein.
With novel protein diets, manufacturers use a singular protein source that has not yet been introduced to the dog’s diet. Alligator is a very uncommon protein source to see in any sort of commercial dog food, which means it’s less likely to trigger negative reactions.
This recipe contains alligator as the only protein source, making up 22% of the recipe. This is moderately low for most premium dog food, so if your dog needs an extra kick of protein, you will have to supplement.
Otherwise, this recipe contains a favorable amount of fat and fiber to help your dog’s system run smoothly. It has a moderate calorie base that fits the needs of most healthy adults.
- Terrific for allergies
- Single protein source
- Possibly need to supplement protein
- Prescription diet only
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Blue Buffalo Dog Food
What Is Blue Buffalo?
Blue Buffalo is a company that spawned from a place of passion. Owners of Blue Buffalo created the company because their family pet Blue—an Airedale Terrier—encountered health issues that require dietary changes.
Inspired to create healthier dog food, owners scrambled to give dogs healthier options to avoid these issues in the future.
Blue Buffalo Recipe Lines
Blue Buffalo has several dietary options for both dogs and cats. All dry kibble contains Blue’s signature LifeSource Bits for antioxidant support, which is one of its major selling points. There are seven recipe lines total, ensuring you get the best fit for your pooch.
BLUE Life Protection Formula
Blue’s Life Protection Formula is their main dietary line that is meant for everyday nutrition. Each recipe is crafted with a different protein source but generally has the same aim for nutrients which is geared towards adult dogs.
These formulas consist of different protein sources to cater to dogs with different sensitivities, but they are all grain inclusive, so they are not for every canine.
- Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice
- Puppy Lamb & Oatmeal
- Small Breed Puppy Chicken & Oatmeal
- Puppy Large Breed Chicken & Brown Rice
- Adult Beef & Brown Rice
- Adult Chicken & Brown Rice
- Adult Fish & Brown Rice
- Adult Lamb & Brown Rice
- Adult Healthy Weight Chicken & Brown Rice
- Adult Small Bite Chicken & Brown Rice
- Adult Small Breed & Brown Rice
- Toy Breed Adult Chicken & Brown Rice
- Adult Small Breed Lamb & Brown Rice
- Small Breed Adult Healthy Weight Chicken & Brown Rice
- Adult Large Breed Chicken & Brown Rice
- Large Breed Adult Fish & Oatmeal
- Large Breed Adult Lamb & Brown Rice
- Large Breed Adult Healthy Weight Chicken & Brown Rice
- Senior Chicken & Brown Rice
- Small Breed Senior Chicken & Brown Rice
- Large Breed Senior Chicken & Brown Rice
- Puppy Chicken Dinner with Garden Vegetables
- Hearty Beef Stew
- Country Chicken Stew
- Hunter’s Stew
- Irish Lamb Stew
- Tasty Turkey Stew
- Backyard BBQ
- Shepherd’s Pie
- Mom’s Chicken Pie
- Sunday Chicken Dinner
- Turkey Day Feast
- Turducken
- Beef Dinner with Garden Vegetables
- Chicken Dinner with Garden Vegetables
- Fish & Sweet Potato Dinner with Garden Vegetables
- Lamb Dinner with Garden Vegetables
- Turkey meatloaf Dinner with Garden Vegetables
- Healthy Weight Chicken Dinner with Garden Vegetables
- Small Breed Chicken Dinner with Garden Vegetables
- Toy Breed Chicken Dinner with Garden Vegetables
- Small Breed Lamb Dinner with Garden Vegetables
- Large Breed Chicken Dinner with Garden Vegetables
- Top Sirloin Flavor in Savory Juices
- Rotisserie Chicken in Hearty Gravy
- Angus Beef Flavor in Savory Juices
- Filet Mignon Flavor in Hearty Gravy
- New York Strip Flavor in Hearty Gravy
- Prime Rib Flavor in Hearty Gravy
- Filet Mignon Flavor in Savory Juices
- Porterhouse Flavor in Savory Juices
- Bacon, Egg, & Cheese-Flavor Breakfast Bites
- Grilled Chicken Flavor in Savory Juices
- Roasted Turkey Flavor in Savory Juices
BLUE Wilderness
BLUE Wilderness is a high-calorie, protein-dense recipe line that caters to your dog’s natural instincts. These recipes are more geared towards what canines would eat in the wild. So, they have many sources of protein, including beneficial organs. You have to be careful with lower-energy dogs, as the higher calorie count might cause weight gain and lead to obesity.
Instead of giving your dog this recipe line, you might want to look at the life protection formula instead if you have a normal to low activity level.
- Puppy Chicken with Grains
- Puppy Chicken
- Large Breed Puppy Chicken
- Puppy Red Meat
- Chicken with Grains
- Salmon with Grains
- Adult Chicken
- Adult Duck
- Adult Red Meat
- Adult Salmon
- Adult Healthy Weight
- Adult Small Bite
- Small Breed Adult Chicken with Grains
- Smalls Breed Adult Chicken
- Toy Breed Adult Chicken
- Large Breed Adult Chicken with Grains
- Large Breed Adult Chicken
- Large Breed Adult Salmon
- Adult Large Breed Healthy Weight Chicken
- Adult Bison
- Adult Red Meat
- Adult Healthy Weight Red Meat
- Large Breed Adult Bison
- Large Breed Adult Red Meat
- Adult Wild Salmon, Venison, ad Halibut
- Adult Turkey, Quail, & Duck
- Senior Chicken
- Senior Red Meat Dinner
- Puppy Turkey & Chicken Grill
- Puppy Red Meat
- Beef & Chicken with Grains
- Turkey & Chicken with Grains
- Salmon & Chicken with Grains
- Beef & Chicken Grill
- Duck & Chicken Grill
- Salmon & Chicken Grill
- Trout & Chicken Grill
- Adult Healthy Weight Turkey & Chicken Grill
- Small Breed Adult Turkey & Chicken Grill
- Turkey & Chicken Grill
- Beef Grill
- Chicken Grill
- Turkey Grill
- Duck Grill
- Beef Stew
- Chicken Stew
- Adult Red Meat Dinner
- Wild Salmon, Venison, & Halibut
- Trout, Venison, & Rabbit
- Turkey, Quail, & Duck
- Hearty Beef Stew
- Chunky Chicken Stew
- Hearty Duck Stew
- Savory Salmon Stew
- Chunky Beef
- Chunky Chicken
- Chunky Duck
- Chunky Salmon
- Senior Turkey & Chicken Grill
- Senior Red Meat
BLUE Basics
BLUE Basics contains a series of limited ingredient diets, best suited for sensitive dogs with digestion problems or certain ingredients. These recipes aim to provide a whole protein source without irritating ingredients like wheat, corn, soy, dairy, egg, and other common proteins.
These recipes work best for sensitive dogs. So if you have a healthy adult, you might want to look at other recipe lines.
- Puppy Turkey & Potato
- Adult Turkey & Potato
- Adult Salmon & Potato
- Adult Healthy Weight Turkey & Potato
- Adult Grain-Free Duck & Potato
- Adult Grain-Free Lamb & Potato
- Adult Grain-Free Turkey & Potato
- Adult Grain-Free Salmon & Potato
- Small Breed Adult Turkey & Potato
- Small Breed Grain-Free Adult Lamb & Potato
- Large Breed Adult Turkey & Potato
- Large Breed Adult Grain-Free Lamb & Potato
- Senior Turkey & Potato
- Grain-Free Adult Duck & Potato
- Grain-Free Whitefish & Potato
- Grain-Free Adult Lamb & Potato
- Grain-Free Turkey & Potato
- Grain-Free Large Breed Turkey & Potato
- Grain-Free Adult Dog Small breed Lamb & Potato
- Grain-Free Small Dog Turkey & Potato
- Grain-Free Senior Turkey & Potato
BLUE Freedom
BLUE Freedom is Blue’s line of grain-free options. Blue wilderness is freedom as a standard average diet, without potentially irritating grains. Rather than using common grains, these gluten-free recipes give you healthy, easily digestible carbohydrates instead.
Before you select this dietary option for your dog, it’s always best to check with your veterinarian to ensure that your dog has a grain allergy. Most healthy adults do fine with grain-inclusive formulas.
- Grain-Free Puppy Chicken
- Grain-Free Adult Beef
- Grain-Free Adult Chicken
- Grain-Free Adult Lamb
- Grain-Free Adult Healthy Weight Chicken
- Grain-Free Small Breed Adult Chicken
- Grain-Free Large Breed Adult Beef
- Grain-Free Large Breed Adult Chicken
- Grain-Free Senior Chicken
- Grain-Free Puppy Chicken
- Grain-Free Adult Beef
- Grain-Free Chicken
- Grain-Free Lamb
- Grain-Free Small breed Chicken
- Grain-Free Grillers Beef
- Grain-Free Grillers Chicken
- Grain-Free Grillers Turkey
- Grain-Free Senior Chicken
BLUE True Solutions
BLUE True Solutions support specific health issues like skin problems, joint support, digestive issues, healthy weight, and other targeted areas of health. They also have a recipe specifically for large breeds to support bones and joints properly.
- Best Life Formula
- Blissful Belly Digestive Care
- Perfect Coat & Skin Coat Care
- Jolly Joint Mobility Support
- Fit & Healthy Weight Control
- Small & Mighty Small-Breed
- Livin’ Large-Breed Formula
- Best Life
- Blissful Belly
- Perfect Skin & Coat
- Jolly Joints
- Fit & Healthy Weight
- Small & Mighty
- Top Form Active
BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet
BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet recipe lines are for prescription diets only. These recipes target essential areas of health for certain dietary needs. They are very specialized and should only be fed to your dog if your vet specifically recommends it. In fact, you cannot buy a veterinary diet without a prescription from your veterinarian.
- W+M Weight Management + Mobility
- KS Kidney Support
- NP Novel Protein
- HF Hydrolyzed for Food Intolerance
- GI Gastrointestinal Support Low Fat
- GI Gastrointestinal Support
- W+U Weight Management & Urinary Care
- W+M Weight Management + Mobility Support
- NP Novel Protein
- KS Kidney Support
- HP Hydrolyzed Protein for Food Intolerance
- GI Gastrointestinal Support Low Fat
- W+U Weight Management & Urinary Care
- GI Gastrointestinal Support
Baby BLUE
Baby BLUE is a recipe line specifically for puppies. These recipes nourish your growing dog by providing optimal support. So, if you want to give your dog the best start in life, these recipes are definitely comprehensive and premium.
- Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice
- Puppy High-Protein Grain-Free Chicken & Pea
- Small Breed Puppy Chicken & Oatmeal
- Large Breed Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice
- Puppy Chicken & Vegetable
- Puppy Turkey & Potato
- Tasty Chicken & Veggie
- Tasty Lamb & Veggie
Final Thoughts
Blue has a ton of other top-notch recipes that didn’t make our top ten—but don’t think that it matters. There are tons to choose from, and each one is crafted with similar quality ingredients that cater to many dietary needs.
We totally recommend Blue Buffalo, but the Life Protection Formula is our favorite. It is well-balanced, quality food that nourishes the system and complements your dog’s natural dietary needs. We think it meets the broadest spectrum of needs for most dogs.
However, suppose you want to save money. In that case, you could possibly buy Blue as a topper instead—like Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Beef Dinner with Garden Vegetables & Sweet Potatoes Canned Dog Food. It will tantalize their taste buds and spruce up boring kibble in no time.
Blue Wilderness is a more expensive Blue line, but it is chock full of protein, easily digestible carbohydrates, and solid, balanced ingredients. Remember, ask your vet before offering grain-free unless you plan to supplement with a grain-inclusive wet food.
Which Blue recipe is your dog’s favorite?
See Also:
Featured Image Credit: Ayla Verschueren, Unsplash
Contents
- A Glance at Our Winners in 2024
- The 10 Best Blue Buffalo Dog Foods
- 1. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula – Best Overall
- 2. Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Beef Dinner Canned Dog Food – Best Value
- 3. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Salmon Recipe – Premium Choice
- 4. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy – Best for Puppies
- 5. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe – Best for Weight Management
- 6. Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Senior
- 7. Blue Basics Skin & Stomach Care Grain-free
- 8. Blue Buffalo True Solutions Small & Mighty – Best for Small Dogs
- 9. Blue Buffalo True Solutions Livin’ Large – Best for Large Dogs
- 10. Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet – Best Veterinary Diet
- Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Blue Buffalo Dog Food
- Blue Buffalo Recipe Lines
- BLUE Life Protection Formula
- BLUE Wilderness
- BLUE Basics
- BLUE Freedom
- BLUE True Solutions
- BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet
- Baby BLUE
- Final Thoughts