Some of the health benefits of mackerel for your children include the reduction of the chances of any heart-related problems, helps in blood circulation, makes the blood vessels more flexible, provides a low fat (healthy fat) protein source, helps in the development of the nervous system and boosts the immunity. This nutritious fish alternative is rich in protein and nutrients like calcium, potassium, selenium and magnesium and tend to boost your child’s overall growth and development. Mackerel is also a good source of vitamins like in the form of vitamin B3, choline, folate, vitamin E, vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin C and vitamin B12. All these vitamins will offer your child with numerous health benefits and make sure that his/her bodily functions are sound. The fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acid which is also very healthy for your child’s diet.
Giving Mackerel to Your Child
If you are planning to cook mackerel, exclusively for your child, then make sure that you buy a fresh one. Fresh mackerel do not have that fishy stench and also at the same time with eyes that are bright and clear, moist skin and shiny scales. If you are planning to make a delicious mackerel dish for your little one then you should buy filets or steaks with the softest, most translucent meat. Try and marinate the mackerel with vinegar or citrus based sauce to get to make sure that the softness remains. The fun part of mackerel is that it can be baked, broiled, grilled or pan fried. Brush, baste or fry it with butter for a tastier dish for your child.
Health Benefits of Mackerel
Protein-rich mackerel offers plenty of health benefits to your child. The fish is high in vitamins and minerals and can aid your child’s growth in a number of ways.
Healthy Heart Growth: More often than not when you feed your child with various protein sources it brings in with it the risk of burdening the heart with excess calories. However, mackerels are that category of protein sources which posses omega-3 fatty acids and also low in total and saturated fats. The protein sources which contain omega-3 fatty acids tend to have cardio-protective potencies and that means that the regular consumption of mackerels will enable your child gain a healthy unclogged heart.
Improves Blood Circulation: If you feed your child with mackerel on a regular basis then it is likely that it will improve his/her blood circulation thereby ensuring proper organ function. During the early growth stages of your child’s life as he/she undergoing constant changes ensuring a regular circulation of blood is very important. Mackerels certainly ensure that and that makes it must-add meal to your child’s diet.
Strengthens Bones & Teeth: The presence of calcium, potassium, selenium and magnesium in mackerels makes sure that it is good for structural strengthening of bones and teeth for your child. Again, in the early stages of development and growth, this kind of food supplements is good for your child.
Boosts Immunity: If you plan to offer your child mackerels on a regular basis it will certainly boost his/her immunity as mackerels has this fantastic ability to offer resistance to viral or bacterial infections. Also at the same time as mackerels are known to trigger the growth of antibodies, the consumption of the same will certainly help your child to heal wounds and injuries at a much quicker rate.
Red Blood Cell Formation: Mackerels are indeed an excellent source of B group vitamins and hence they trigger the growth of red blood cells for your little one. Under normal circumstances, children do not suffer from iron deficiency but at the same time additional nutrient support in the form of mackerels do in fact help in further the growth rate of your child.
Improves Cell Functioning: The proteins found in mackerels provide the desired level of structural support to your child’s cell formation. This kind of support is important since your child undergoes constant growth and he/she needs important nutrients. This includes the growth and development of the nervous system. Also the presence of ome-3 fatty acid and folate make sure that your child’s skin is protected from any sort of diseases like psoriasis and eczema.
Things to Remember
Though mackerels are healthy food alternative for your child, there are certain things you need to remember while you make your child have them on a regular basis. One of the major concerning facts is that the fish is very high in mercury content and too much consumption can affect the nervous system of your child in an adverse manner. For that reason the consumption of similar fish group should be regulated and it is better to consult your pediatrician for advice before adding it to the regular diet of your child.
