Research by the University of Illinois claims that babies need omega-3s, and the best way for them to get those is for us parents to encourage them to develop a taste for fish. Oily fish like salmon are believed to be rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids that reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
Susan Brewer, a dietitian, said “First, babies need a lot of the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish for brain, nerve, and eye development, and when they switch from breast milk or formula to solid food, most of them don’t get nearly enough. Second, children’s food preferences are largely developed by the time they’re five, so I urge parents to help their kids develop a taste for seafood early.”
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Brewer commented, “It’s not enough for mothers to know that toddlers need fish in their diets. They won’t buy a product unless it also appeals to the eye and the taste buds. Our goal is to deliver maximum nutrition in an entrée that’s aesthetically pleasing, and these studies show that we can do just that.”
Though a newborn infant’s brain is probably 50 percent DHA, babies and toddlers have immature livers and can’t synthesize enough DHA for an appropriate supply to their developing nerve tissues. So, including DHA in the baby’s food to fulfill this requirement might help.
The research was published in the May 2010 issue of the Journal of Food Science.