For many parents feeding fish to their kids is like a high-wire balancing act. As on one hand, they can not ignore the health benefits fish offers to children’s development, and on the other hand, it may be filled with mercury, heavy metals or come with some side effects.

So, if you have a toddler at home, shall you include fish in his regular diet?

Child care experts suggest parents keep on feeding their kids fish regularly without giving it much thought. Fish is full of protein and omega-3, an unsaturated fatty acid that helps in children’s eye and brain development. In fact, in the long run, it can protect them against heart diseases and cancer. Other nutrients in fish include iron, iodine, and vitamin D – all essential for the healthy development of your little ones.

But what about that harmful stuff with the heavy metals and parasites? You need to be a little cautious with your choices of fish and should follow these tips before serving fish to your kids.

1. Go Lower on the Food Chain : You should avoid choosing large predator fish like shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and bigeye tuna as these fish take on the biggest chemical load. So, it is always wise to buy small fish like anchovies for kids. In moderation, small fish would be a healthy addition to your baby’s meal.
2. Choose Fish With Low Mercury : Pediatricians of Altadena, CA suggest parents choose fish that has low mercury as too much consumption of the same can lead to various health problems in kids. Mercury has been linked to problems with memory, language, and visual-motor skills. Sardines, Herring, Cod, and tilapia, and shellfish like crab and oysters are all good options for kids.
3. Mix It Up : When it comes to nutrition for kids, a diversity of options can help them acquire all the required nutrients. The same goes when feeding kids fish. It is always advisable to serve your kids with various types of fish instead of only one type. For example, if you are giving tuna in lunch, consider giving them salmon or white fish in their dinner.
4. Watch out for Seafood Fraud : When you are buying seafood, it seems you do not always get what you are paying for. This means that most of the time you may not be knowing what type of fish you are actually buying and feeding your kids. So, it would be great if you read the labels and ask more questions whenever you are buying fish for your kids.
5. Local is not Always Good : If you procure fish from the local market, it is a good idea to check whether any regional advisories are warning of contaminants or risks. You should always be careful while buying fish for your kids. Never hesitate to ask questions and if you are not satisfied with the quality of the fish please do not go for it.