How to Hide Fish Oil In Your Child's Food

We read it in the news: omega-3 fatty acids are important for brain development. Kids often don't get enough omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oil and flaxseed oil. Fish oil reduces inflammation in the body; inflammation has been linked to a wide array of conditions ranging from ADHD in kids and adults to heart disease and vascular illness. How can parents help get fish oil in their kids' food? Short of pouring a tablespoon of fish oil into children directly (some kids will tolerate this, but most won't!), parents can hide fish oil in their children's food. Here are some great techniques.

Things You'll Need

• 2 tbsp. peanut butter
• 1 tbsp. honey
• Butter or margarine
• Smoothies
• Pasta sauce

Instructions

1. Measure the amount of fish oil your child needs each day. If you think your child will notice the taste easily, split the fish oil into two separate servings to feed throughout the day, and proceed to Step 2.

2. Mix the fish oil into 2 or 3 tbsp. peanut butter and 1 tbsp. honey. Spread on two slices of bread to make a peanut butter and honey sandwich. Serve to your child. Make sure she eats the entire sandwich to get the full fish oil serving.

3. Blend fish oil into butter or margarine, and then spread on your child's morning toast.

4. Add fish oil to a morning smoothie: 1 frozen banana, 1/2 cup strawberries and 1/2 cup milk (cow, soy or rice) with the fish oil all blended together is a tasty breakfast that also hides the fish oil taste.

5. Mix fish oil into 1/2 cup pasta sauce, and then pour the pasta sauce over your child's serving of pasta for lunch or dinner. Make sure the pasta sauce isn't too hot, or the taste of the fish oil will be stronger.

Tips & Warnings

• Increase fish oil in the diet slowly. Too much too soon can cause stomachaches and cramping.

• Never add fish oil in large quantities to any child's diet. You can make the child sick if you give more than 1 tbsp. per day.