The Secrets of Getting Your Kids to Eat Fish
Have you ever thought of abusing your child? If you think you don’t, then, it is high time you do, especially if not feeding your children with fish will most likely resemble to child abuse.
The fact that you don’t like fish is not an excuse. You are old enough to know that if you don’t eat fish now, sooner or later you will experience problems related to not eating fish, such as arthritis. But your child is different from you. He/she does not have the capacity to choose and to know what is good for him/her. And because you as parent know the possible consequences of not letting your child eat fish, it is so uncaring to deprive them of such right.
Put an end to such drama. Let’s just pretend that you want to change everything and that you want to introduce fish to your child’s diet. The question is on how you will work on it.
Based from experience, I can say that the only way to have your kids do what you say is to act it up on your own. That is, teach by example. Children tend to imitate what their parents do and this is manifested until they are in their teenage years.
And so, just as what the experts keep on saying, teach them by example and while they are still young. The message is clear - to teach your children to eat fish, you must first start eating fish. Of course, it’s not easy to get used to the taste or maybe because you have not just bought a fresh one. But it should not be a problem. You can always fix them. Here’s how:
People who don’t like fish used to complain about its fishy taste. Of course, fish will never taste like chicken but that doesn’t mean it has to be fishy. If it does, it means it is not fresh. So always go for the freshest fish there is in the market.
Find the right recipe. If you go for fried foods, have your fish fried. If you like the soups, then make a fish soup. It’s just a matter of knowing what you want and using fish as your main ingredient. In this way, you and your family will get to like the taste of fish because you have prepared them the way you have always wanted your food to be.
People who were able to develop a liking for fish say that it’s best to start with mild tasting fishes first. You can start with the grouper or sea bass and work your way to strong tasting fishes like salmon that has higher content of omega 3 fatty acids. Things will be easier if done this way.
Start it early. Start it right. You can start introducing fish to your children as young as 6 months old by giving them fish oil. You will soon be surprised that they are craving for more. And by the time that they get to eat out with you, they will order fish more.
And even if your kids are old enough to know what they like and to stick with what they have been used to, such as pot pies, pizzas, and TV dinners, you can still do something about it. Just follow the instructions I have given earlier and combine them with love. Keep in mind that you are doing this because you love them. And by the time that there are no other foods on the table but fish, they will soon give in.
To lengthen you children’s lives and to put them in the pink of health, try these ideas. Studies show that aside from the many benefits that fish can give, it can also improve your child’s mood and behavior. This is advantageous on your part too. Just be happy you have chosen to teach your kids to eat fish. Sooner or later, they will also appreciate what you have done.
December 31 2008 | Health | No Comments »
