king_mackerel
King mackerel is on the official 'choices to avoid' list for children. It sits at the top of the food chain and carries some of the highest mercury levels of any fish. Mercury builds up in the body over time and can affect the development of a child's brain and nervous system, so both UK and US guidance say to keep it away from children entirely. Do not confuse it with Atlantic or Pacific chub mackerel, which are low in mercury and perfectly good for babies.
Zo serveer je het
Not recommended at any age in childhood.
Choose a low-mercury fish instead - salmon, sardines, trout, cod, haddock, pollock or canned light (skipjack) tuna all give your baby the same omega-3s and protein without the mercury load.
Voedingswaarde
King mackerel is a good source of protein and B vitamins, but every one of those nutrients is available from lower-mercury fish, so there is no nutritional reason to serve it to a child.
Goed om te weten
Not recommended for children because of its mercury content. If you do serve fish, flake it and check carefully for bones.
Avoid king mackerel for children. Fish is also a common allergen, so when you do introduce fish, use a low-mercury variety, offer it on its own and watch for a reaction. Aim for about two servings of low-mercury fish a week - roughly 1 oz (30 g) per serving at ages 1-3.
Bevat: vis
Tip
Check the label on fish pie mixes, fish fingers and restaurant 'fish of the day' - king mackerel is occasionally used and is not always named on a menu.