Photo Credit: Bumble Bee Foods
I’m always a bit baffled when parents asks me how I successfully manage to get my children to eat seafood. I’m not talking about fish sticks…my children eat salmon, halibut, and a variety of other types of seafood. Seafood offers numerous health benefits. Specifically, fish provides a great source of omega-3’s, including DHA ,which is crucial for developing brains.
My number one tip for raising seafood-ies (hehe) is to start early. Taste buds begin developing in utero and are shaped at a very early age. I pureed cooked Wild Alaskan Salmon for both of my children around their first birthdays and to this day, they continue to enjoy it. While you should always follow the advice of your Pediatrician, children as young as 6 months old can consume some types of cooked seafood.
Start with the basics. Seafood, in general, has a very distinct odor and flavor. Strive to offer a milder fish.
Mix it in. Seafood, when mixed in with other foods, is often more palatable. Chef Scott Leibfried recommends incorporating fish into foods your child already enjoys, such as spaghetti or macaroni and cheese.
Get them involved. Earlier this week, my son and I attended an art/cooking class for children. I was certain that he wouldn’t eat one of the dishes we prepared, as it was filled with veggies he isn’t fond of. Much to my surprise, he ate two servings of the dish. I’m convinced this was because he had helped prepare the dish.
Offer choices. Even if your child has never eaten a certain dish, offering a choice may encourage him/her to at least try the food in question. Offering choices recognizes a child’s unique preferences and shows him/her that their opinions matter.
Opt for sustainable. With all of the concerns surrounding mercury, utilize the Seafood Watch Guide to guide your decisions on consuming sustainable seafood.
Persist. It can take repeated exposure for a child to begin enjoying seafood. Try serving the same seafood in different ways if your child continues to object.
This year, I’m working with Bumble Bee Foods once again! The company recently launched it’s first kid-friendly webisode. I’m excited about the new kid-targeted recipes they’re planning to release.
How do you get your children to eat seafood?
No compensation was received for this post. As part of the Bee Squad, I periodically receive samples and information.
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