Back-to-school season is a great time to start new habits, like eating seafood twice a week! Fish and shellfish help kids grow by supplying nutrients such as vitamins B and D, choline and essential omega-3 fatty acids, which are all needed for strong bones, brain development, healthy immune systems and cardiovascular systems.
With a new routine in place, it can sometimes be hard for parents to keep up, but with fast-cooking seafood like thin fish fillets and shrimp, a healthy dinner can be ready in minutes.
Since some kids can be picky eaters, consider these tips from SNP Ambassador Joe Urban, director of food and nutrition services for Greenville County Schools:
- Start creating meals featuring seafood early in their lives, as children who are exposed to seafood at an early age may develop a fondness for the cuisine.
- Introduce them to mild varieties such as cod, pollock and haddock, then have them try other species as they become accustomed to the taste.
- Seafood can be substituted in nearly any dish that normally calls for chicken, beef, pork or other proteins. Serving seafood in familiar dishes like tacos, enchiladas, soups, salads, burgers and baked dishes can be a beneficial way for kids to eat more seafood.
- Canned seafoods like tuna and salmon make for quick, budget-friendly options when time is short, plus they can be mixed in with a variety of recipes.
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