February is National Canned Food Month, a great opportunity to update your ‘cantry’ with some seafood staples. Did you know that cans are one of the easiest and most affordable ways to get seafood in your kids’ lunch boxes and on the dinner table?
Seafood Smarts
A Dive into Benefits for Kids
The benefits of seafood for kids are big! Fish and shellfish supply the nutrients, vitamins and omega-3s essential for strong bones, brain development, and healthy heart and immune system.
Protein, vitamins B-6, B-12 and D, and omega-3 fatty acids (especially DHA and EPA) are key nutrients found in seafood that promote healthy growth and development throughout childhood, and can help minimize chronic disease risk later in life.
Despite everything we know about the importance of seafood for growing minds, overall, kids are only getting about 40% of the omega-3s EPA+DHA recommended by the National Academy of Medicine.
Scientific Paper Shows Seafood Consumption Critical for Brain Development
SCIENTIFIC REVIEW SHOWS CHILDREN CAN GAIN AN AVERAGE OF 7.7 FULL IQ POINTS >>> New research published by 13 leading dietary fats scientists highlights the tremendous health benefits from consuming seafood for infant and adolescent brain development.
Citations
1 Nettleton J, Salem Jr. N. International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids 2018 Symposium: Arachidonic and Docosahexaenoic Acids in Infant Development. Ann Nutr Metab 2019;74:83-91.
2 Thompson M, et al. Omega-3 Fatty Acid Intake by Age, Gender, and Pregnancy Status in the United States: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2014. Nutrients. 2019;11(1):177.
3 Raji CA, et al. Regular fish consumption and age-related brain gray matter loss. Am J Prev Med. 2014;47(4):444–451.
4 Chang CY, Ke DS, Chen JY. Essential fatty acids and human brain. Acta Neurol Taiwan. 2009 Dec;18(4):231-41.
5 Kim J, et al. Fish consumption and school grades in Swedish adolescents: a study of the large general population. Acta Pædiatrica. 2010;99: 72-77.
6 Kuratko CN, et al. The relationship of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) with learning and behavior in healthy children: a review. Nutrients. 2013;5(7):2777–2810.
7 Liu J, et al. The mediating role of sleep in the fish consumption – cognitive functioning relationship: a cohort study. Scientific Reports. 2017;7(17961).
8 Innis S. Perinatal biochemistry and physiology of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. J Peds. 2003;143(4):1–8.
9 FDA and EPA. Advice about Eating Fish. https://www.fda.gov/food/consumers/advice-about-eating-fish. Current as of: 07/02/2019.
10 Raine A, et al. Reduction in behavior problems with omega-3 supplementation in children aged 8–16 years: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, stratified, parallel-group trial. J Child Psychology & Psychiatry. 2015;56(5):509-520.
11 Papamichael M, et al. Efficacy of a Mediterranean diet supplemented with fatty fish in ameliorating inflammation in paediatric asthma: a randomised controlled trial. J Human Nutr & Dietetics. 2019;32(2):185-197.