At the beginning of the complementary feeding the white fish is introduced and little by little more varieties can be introduced and in more quantity. But Many children do not like fish, so we leave some tricks for children to eat.
And it is that fish is an important food, basic in the diet for its contribution of omega-3 fatty acids, fat-soluble vitamins and proteins of high biological value. The Spanish Association of Pediatrics recommends the intake of white fish (for example, hake, sole ...) throughout the pediatric age, three to four times a week.
There is a diversity of opinions when establishing the minimum age to start with white fish, but we can say that in general it is at twelve months when it can be introduced into complementary feeding. Ask your pediatrician about it.
Just remember that there are certain species that are not recommended in childhood. The Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) recommends avoiding the consumption of certain bluefish (swordfish, shark, bluefin tuna and pike) in children under three years of age (and in pregnant or breastfeeding women).
But despite these restrictions, luckily we have a lot of variety of fish to continue benefiting from its flavors and nutritional properties. How to make children eat more fish?
Tricks for children to eat fish
For babies, all the flavors are new, but it is better to start with some soft ones, such as hake or whiting, to favor their acceptance.
When they grow up, it involves the child in the preparation of the dish. You can help batter it, put a little salt, spices or olive oil, participate in the preparation of a sauce….
also can get involved at the time of purchase: in the supermarket or fish shop, have the child choose the one he would like for lunch or dinner.
In the fish market we can also take the opportunity to approach the different species, tell them about them, those that have more thorns or less, those that come from other countries ... Finally, grow your curiosity about this food, and, by what not, also with information about its benefits for the organism.
Do not offer the main course fish, because the children may be satiated. Accompany it with vegetables in salad (rice, pasta), grilled or baked ... or in any case after a very light first course.
exist some canned fish that we can offer to children (but not as a rule), such as tuna, cod, anchovies or sardines (rich in calcium and omega three) ... The children usually like them and can even go for a snack.
Cook the fish differently, especially baked, grilled or steamed. Accompany it with sauces that are pleasing to the child (trying not to serve to "camouflage" the fish, just to season it).
The presentation is also important. Children often "eat by the eyes" (and I think everyone ...) so that we can make attractive and fun dishes.
Remember also that fish does not always have to be a piece or a loin. You can join some croquettes, empanadillas, salads, in the soup, in the paella ... Here we leave some fish to give you ideas: homemade fish delicacies, Christmas fish soup, lemon fish in papillote with zucchini, microwave hake ...
The attractive has to be combined with the safe, so we must be careful in offer them very clean fish, without bones. Because a scare can cause rejection of food, and we also talk about its safety, so you have to check the fish of young children.
If the child goes to the dining room, check the weekly menus and complete them at home with the necessary fish rations.
Finally, remember that we are the best example for our children, so we must add the fish to the family menu, of all members and not only of them. Also our attitude towards this food is important, for example, let's avoid "making disgust", if we do not like to clean the fish we choose to do so at the point of sale ...
In short, we are sure that it is not too late for the child to like this food. The sooner we start these tips for children to eat fish, it will be easier to incorporate it in the usual way to the menu.
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In Babies and more | Fish in infant feeding, Semigrase fish, Complementary feeding: fish
