3 Ways To Get Kids To Love Seafood 

 

It’s normal for little ones to turn up their noses at fish and other seafood, but a few clever tricks at mealtime can help turn your child’s “no way!” into “more, please. And since seafood is essential for heart, brain, and eye health, it’s important to keep serving your family seafood. Even if they say they don’t like it at first, after several tries they might learn to love it.

Try these tips:

#1 Don't let it dry out.
It’s really easy to overcook seafood, especially whitefish like flounder and sole.

Poaching is one easy way to keep fish moist. Try this:

  • Place fish in a single layer inside a pan with a tight-fitting lid, then pour in enough liquid, like water or broth, so that it just covers the fish.
  • Bring the liquid in the pan to a boil, then immediately cover the pan, turn off the burner, and let the fish continue to cook with the lid on.
    • This will take about 8-10 minutes for fish fillets, or 15-20 minutes for a whole fish.
    • You can even poach frozen fish fillets right out of the freezer - they will just take a few more minutes than thawed.
  • Remove the fish from the cooking liquid once the fillets flake easily with a fork, and add a little butter and salt or your favorite seasonings, and you’re done!

#2 Watch for bones!
Nothing turns a kid against fish faster than an unexpected “crunch” - and they can be a choking hazard, too.

  • Shellfish, like shrimp, is naturally bone-free and can be purchased frozen to save money.
  • Cod, salmon, tilapia and flounder fillets might have some bones, but they are pretty easy to find and pick out.
  • Take a little extra time to cut up or flake fish after it’s cooked and check carefully for bones before you serve.

#3 Just add dips.
Some kids won’t go near a fillet or fish stick unless there’s something to dunk it in! Try cutting fish into bite-sized chunks and serving with ketchup, ranch dressing, tartar sauce, or any other sauces your kids love, and let them dip away.

Do you think you can try one of these ideas soon? Maybe you have tried seafood in the past and didn’t like it, and you’re not sure you want to try again. If so, click here for ideas that can help both you and your family love seafood. Or, click the “Next" button to get your action plan and finish the lesson.