How many servings of fish for children are ideal in a day?

Fish is a good source of high protein to encourage child development. However, parents should also be aware that some types of fish contain high levels of mercury which can endanger children's health. So, what is the limit for eating fish for children in one day? Are there certain types of fish that are safe to support child development? Relax, you can get all the answers through the following reviews.

Why do children have to eat fish?

Not a few parents wonder why children have to eat fish. In fact, almost all fish contain methylmercury which is poisonous and dangerous for children's health.

Eits, wait a minute. Children actually have to keep eating fish, you know. Fish is one of the healthiest types of food that has a myriad of health benefits for both children and adults.

There have been many studies that prove that fish contains two types of omega-3 fatty acids, namely DHA and EPA, which cannot be found in other foods. This type of fatty acid is needed by children to maintain heart health while increasing children's intelligence.

In addition, fish also contains low saturated fat but high in protein, vitamin D and vitamin B which are useful for maintaining the child's immune system during their growing period. So, you don't need to hesitate anymore to add fish for children to their diet.

How many servings of fish for children a day?

Quoted from Parents, the Food and Drug Administration in the United States (FDA) said that children are encouraged to eat fish 2 to 3 times each week. However, the portion is certainly less than the adult portion, which is only about a quarter of the adult portion.

Judging from the age, the following is a description of the portion of fish for children.

Ages 6 and under: 85 to 141 grams of fish per week.
Ages 6 to 8 years: 113 to 170 grams of fish per week.
Ages 9 and over: 227 to 340 grams of fish, per week, the same as the recommended serving of fish for adults.

Remember, this is the amount of fish your child should serve each week, not daily. So, you have to divide the number of servings of the fish into 2 or 3 meals so that the benefits are maximized and your little one doesn't get bored.

What types of fish are safe for consumption by children?

In fact, not all types of fish are safe for consumption by children. Several types of fish are known to contain methyl mercury and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), two types of toxic and dangerous chemicals. If it enters the body, these substances can damage the brain and nervous system of children.

So, don't just give fish to your children. Various types of fish for children that are safe for consumption include:

Salmon
Indigo
Tuna
Sardines
Catfish
Skipjack

You may often prefer canned tuna, which is more practical and easier to cook. But be careful, canned tuna is often high in mercury. Instead of choosing canned fish, you should choose fresh fish, as mentioned above, so that it is safer for the health of your children and your family.

In addition to choosing the type of fish for your child, how to cook fish can also affect whether or not the fish you serve to your family is healthy. Before starting to cook fish, it's best to remove the skin and fat on the fish to flush out the toxins trapped underneath.

To be healthier, cook fish by grilling or grilling to reduce the amount of fat. Avoid frying fish because it can increase calorie and fat intake which is not good for children's health.

If your little one still doesn't want to eat fish, there's no need to panic or pull the tendons first. Give portions of fish little by little on the child's diet and let your little one explore their appetite. You can also process it into various types of food, for example, making fish nuggets or fried fish to attract children's attention to eat fish.