We last covered which meat and poultry are safe for your toddlers to consume and which should be avoided. Now, we’ll be exploring seafoods!
Seafood is rich in protein and omega-3 fats. It also contains vitamins, iodine, and calcium, which are essential for your toddler’s development. However, certain seafood is not good for your toddler’s health. So, which ones are toddler-friendly and which aren’t?
Let’s discover them together, shall we?
Safe Seafood for Your Toddlers
Salmon
Mummies can include salmon in their toddler’s diet. This fish has a high level of Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) which can help to develop your toddler’s brain. Salmon may also promote your toddler’s heart and eye health. Plus, salmon is also great to prevent your toddlers from eczema and asthma. And salmon is also low in mercury, which is great for your toddlers!
Codfish
Codfish is safe for your toddler to eat. It is rich in protein, calcium, and DHA. Codfish can help to improve your toddler’s nervous system, vision, and brain development. It is low in mercury which is safe for your toddlers.
Sardine
Mums can feed their children with some sardines! Sardine is rich in essential fatty acids and calcium, which can help to promote your toddler’s brain development. It is also great for your toddler’s health. Just be careful with its tiny bones as it might pose a choking hazard for your toddler.
Shrimp
Your children can have some shrimps too. Shrimp has DHA which helps to promote your toddler’s vision and cognitive development. Additionally, shrimp can also promote your toddler’s bone development. Just be careful if your toddler has any allergic reactions as shrimp is a common allergen.
Snapper
It is fine to feed your kids with snapper. This fish has omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, minerals, and vitamins, which can help to improve your toddler’s bone and brain development. It may also help to boost your toddler’s immunity and heart health. It is great for his skin!
Squid
Squid is great for your toddlers! It is rich in vitamin B2, selenium, and cholesterol, which helps to improve your toddler’s growth and immunity. Squid also has omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for your kids’ brain development and eye health. Just remember to watch out for any allergies.
Tilapia
Your little ones can have some tilapia too. This fish has many essential nutrients like minerals and vitamins. It is also low in mercury which are great for your toddler’s nervous system development and bone growth.
Perch
Perch is safe to eat! This fish contains protein, amino acids, and calcium which can help to promote your toddler’s brain development and body growth. The collagen in this fish is great for your toddler’s hair and skin.
Flatfish
Mummies can feed their toddlers with flatfish. This fish has DHA which can help to promote your toddler’s visual, nerve and brain development. It is also a great source of protein, which can help to improve your toddler’s growth. Additionally, it contains low mercury and fat levels.
Anchovy
Anchovy is also great for your toddlers. It is rich in calcium which is great for your toddler’s bone development. Anchovy is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids which can help to improve his heart health and brain development. It is also good for his eye health!
Eat in Moderation
Catfish
Your kids can consume catfish in moderation too! This fish is rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. It is low in calories too, which is great for your toddler’s overall health. It can help to boost your toddler’s brain development and physical strength. Additionally, it is also great for your toddler’s digestive health and skin health. Plus, catfish are also great for bone and teeth development. But, you need to control your toddler’s intake of catfish as it is high in cholesterol.
Fish roe
You can give a moderate amount of fish roe to your little ones too! Fish roe is rich in protein and healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids, which helps boost your toddler’s immunity and heart health. It also helps to reduce inflammation. However, fish roe contains a lot of sodium and cholesterol. So, you need to be careful with it and watch out for your toddler’s consumption.
Crab
Mamas should feed their children with crabs in moderate amounts. Crab has omega-3 fatty acids which helps to improve heart health and brain development. Your toddler should eat crab with caution as it is high in toxins and might trigger allergies.
Octopus
Your toddler can have some octopus in moderation. Octopus is rich in protein, omega-3 acids, vitamins, calcium, and iron, which are great for your toddler’s heart health. However, it might trigger allergies and mercury poisoning which might be bad for your little one’s health.
Lobster
You may feed your toddlers with lobsters in moderate quantities. Lobster has omega-3 fatty acids which helps to boost your heart health. The protein in it can promote a healthy digestive system and body growth. Just be careful with your kid’s intake as it contains high cholesterol levels.
Oyster
Your toddlers may have some oyster in moderation. Oysters are high in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, which are great for your toddler’s brain function and body growth. It also prevents heart disease. However, it might contain bacteria and other contaminants, So, remember to cook it thoroughly before serving it to your kids.
Minimise Your Toddler’s Intake
Dried oyster meat
Limit your toddler’s consumption of dried oyster meat as it has a high levels of salt.
Tuna
Your toddler needs to avoid eating tuna. It might have protein, omega3 fatty acids, and vitamins. But, it contains high levels of mercury which is not good for your toddler’s health.
Shark
Your toddlers cannot consume sharks. Sharks have a lot of mercury which might be bad for your toddler’s nervous system and brain development.
Toddlers need to consume safe seafood!
Therefore, parents need to know which seafood is safe and unsafe for their toddlers. As it might affect their overall health.
Sources:
- https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/infantandtoddlernutrition/index.html
- https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/kids-healthy-eating-plate/
- https://www.yummytoddlerfood.com/100-foods-for-toddlers/
Discover six easy and yummy recipes for your toddler here!
Check out which eggs, legumes, and soy are safe for your little ones to consume and which aren’t here.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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