Seafood is an excellent low-fat source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential vitamins and minerals. While everyone should include this nutrient-rich fare in their diet, any parent knows how picky kids can be. Luckily, there are many strategies you can use to make sure your young one obtains the benefits of seafood. Here’s what you can do to integrate it into your child’s meals.

Tips for Getting Kids to Try Seafood

1. Cater to Their Tastes

Trying new and unfamiliar foods can be scary for kids. Ease them into the idea of seafood with flavors and textures they’re used to. Fried fish and shrimp are visually comparable to chicken fingers and nuggets, and being breaded makes them more palatable for young children. If you’re at a restaurant, select menu items that use herbs, spices, and sauces your child is familiar with.

2. Make It Dippable

Sauces add new flavors and mask overt fishiness, but most importantly, they create the opportunity for unrestricted dipping. Try offering your child tartar sauce, ketchup, honey mustard, or your own homemade dip with bite-sized seafood options like fried shrimp. Sauces made with seafood, like a tuna dip, can also be effective.

3. Pick Finger Foods

Foods that are difficult to eat are unappealing to children. Stay away from anything with bones, and lean towards dishes that can be eaten by hand. Finger foods like fish and chips, shrimp, and crab cakes are simple to handle and fun for kids to dine on.

4. Choose Less “Fishy” Options

For those who aren’t used to it, seafood with strong flavors has a “fishy” taste that some kids don’t find very appetizing. Until they grow accustomed to the taste, start them off with mild options like grouper and shrimp. The more they eat, the more they can expand their palette.

5. Mix It Into Meals

Fish can easily be incorporated into common meals kids love. Mix your seafood of choice into tacos, pasta, and burgers. Many restaurants offer these types of dishes as well, so you won’t have trouble finding a healthy meal for your family on a night out.

Are you looking for a restaurant that serves nutritious seafood options for your child? Barefoot Island Grill, located in Orange Beach, AL, has a wide variety of menu items that cater to even the pickiest eaters. All meals are made from scratch, so you can be sure your family is eating fresh. They prioritize quality, customer service, and innovative flavors to create delicious dishes for all to enjoy. Browse their menu online, then call (251) 256-0055 to make a reservation.