It's no secret that shrimp contains a special composition of proteins, which contributes to the rapid absorption. They have a spicy taste and are of extreme benefit to the human body. But before introducing her baby to such a delicacy, each mother asks herself: when can children shrimp? Today, the article will discuss the role of the product in the diet of children. We will discuss whether it is possible for a child to shrimp, at what age it is advisable to offer them to babies, and also offer delicious recipes, having tried which, the baby will ask for supplements.
About the benefits
According to nutritionists, shrimp are a low-calorie product and contain a whole complex of amino acids that are important for humans. It is believed that the largest part of vitamins and minerals is contained in their entrails. Besides the fact that this product has a pleasant taste and a spicy aftertaste, it is also extremely useful:
- Vitamin D is an important substance, especially in the early years of the baby and is necessary as a prevention of rickets;
- a complex of vitamins B improves the condition of nails, hair and skin, and also, has a positive effect on the nervous system, and helps to increase the digestibility of iron;
- chitin contained in shrimp, resembling plant fiber in its structure, cleanses the body of toxins and helps to cope with constipation;
- a product rich in vitamin A strengthens bone tissue, normalizes metabolism;
- iodine contained in shrimp ensures the proper functioning of the thyroid gland;
- zinc helps to increase immunity, improve brain activity, the state of the organs of vision and skin;
- calcium is responsible for the development of the skeletal-skeletal system and teeth, and sulfur has a positive effect on the activity of the nervous system and muscle growth;
- the content of a large number of polyunsaturated fatty acids increases the tone of blood vessels, and also helps to reduce the likelihood of disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular system.
Possible harm
Despite the fact that there are numerous useful substances in such a product, they can also cause serious harm to the child. One of the main disadvantages of almost all seafood is the content of a relatively high level of mercury - a toxic metal that slows the development of the brain of babies. In this regard, the total number of seafood dishes for children up to two years old must be limited to two meals a week. It is not recommended to offer shrimp to young children in raw or undercooked form, as they may contain bacteria that provoke diarrhea, vomiting and fever.
Shrimp Allergy
Are prawns an allergen for children or not? Pediatricians believe that acquaintance of a child with seafood should be postponed until a later date, in order to avoid food allergies. It manifests itself fairly quickly after eating and has the following symptoms:
- shortness of breath (strong wheezing);
- abdominal cramps;
- cyanosis;
- itching
- vomiting
- bloating;
- nausea;
- swelling of the face and other parts of the body;
- diarrhea;
- increased weakness.
Any of the above symptoms is a reason to immediately contact your doctor.
In what cases is it worth to refuse?
Each mother wants to surprise her baby with a new treat for him, so it is important to know whether the baby can shrimp. Despite the huge complex of minerals and vitamins contained in shrimp, you should not include them in the diet for a child under three years of age. The thing is that such a product is imported, so the likelihood of individual intolerance and allergies is several times more.
Pediatricians are advised to exclude shrimp from the diet or take special care in the following cases:
- if the child has suffered from eczema, hay fever, or asthma;
- found a tendency to food allergies;
- when there is hypersensitivity to seafood in blood relatives.
It is worth considering that the increased iodine content, which shrimps are so rich in, can cause the appearance of goiter of the thyroid gland, as well as shortness of breath. The use of sea food in unlimited quantities can lead to impaired renal function. Among other things, this can adversely affect the work of the central nervous system of the baby.
At what age can shrimp be given to children?
When asked if shrimp can be given to children, all pediatricians respond differently. But still, their opinion agrees on one thing: experts do not recommend offering them to children under three years of age. Starting from this age, the baby can be included in the diet of shrimp, but not more than one gram per day. After that, it is necessary to monitor the baby’s reaction for three days and observe any deviation: difficulty breathing, coughing, runny nose, loose stools, rashes on the skin, especially in the cheeks, elbows, knees and other parts of the body.
Until the age of five, crumbs are not recommended to give more than 50 grams of shrimp at a time. Closer to six years, the child can increase the serving to 80 grams. There are shrimps for small children only once a week. When preparing meals, it is recommended to refrain from excessive amounts of spices, and you can replace them with sour cream sauce or lemon juice. This will not only help to avoid a possible negative reaction, but also slightly reduce the specific smell, which does not particularly attract babies.
Basic rules for meeting shrimp
When introducing a new product into the diet, it is advisable to follow some rules.
- To begin, discuss this issue with your doctor, who must confirm the absence of contraindications.
- Offer the baby one boiled shrimp, take a break for three days and observe its condition during this period. To be sure of sufficient heat treatment and freshness of the product, the acquaintance should be carried out in a home environment, and not in a catering establishment.
- If the crumbs after eating shrimp did not have negative consequences, then occasionally this product can be added to the children's menu.
- In no case can you combine seafood unfamiliar to the child, such as mussels, shrimps, crabs, octopuses and more.
- Before serving, the product must be well thermally processed. It is advisable to cook in frozen form for at least five minutes. A very common question is how long it takes to cook boiled-frozen shrimp. A product in this form is often considered ready-made, and it needs to be cooked no longer than three minutes.
Shrimp recipes for kids
Shrimp is an extremely useful product, but not everyone knows how to cook it. We offer you to familiarize yourself with options for interesting dishes from seafood.
Shrimp soup
Ingredients:
- shrimp - 200 g;
- tomato - 3 pcs.;
- onion - 1 pc.;
- basil, garlic - to taste;
- White bread;
- olive oil.
Cooking:
- Grind the garlic, basil and onions and fry in olive oil.
- We move the workpiece into the pan, add a small amount of water.
- Dice the tomatoes and add to the overall pan.
- Cook for about 15 minutes.
- Mode slices of bread, and dip them in a future soup.
- Stir occasionally until the contents thicken.
- Shrimps are placed in boiling water and cook for one minute, after which we drain the water.
- Before serving, add peeled shrimp to the soup.
Shrimp Pumpkin
Ingredients:
- peeled shrimp - 500 g;
- pumpkin pulp - 500 g;
- onion - 1 pc.;
- processed cheese - 70 g;
- apple - 1 pc.;
- cream - 100 ml;
- vegetable oil;
- salt to taste.
Cooking:
- Pumpkin should be cut into cubes and put in a preheated oven to 200 degrees for 30 minutes.
- Grate cheese, apple and onion on a coarse grater.
- Fry onions in vegetable oil, then add cheese, shrimp.
- Pour the cream, salt to taste and simmer for about five minutes.
- Add baked pumpkin and grated apple, mix everything thoroughly and continue stewing for about three more minutes.
- Before serving, you can add sour cream.
Speaking about whether it is possible for a child to shrimp, it is worth noting that there is no need to refuse them, if there are no medical prescriptions. But still, do not lose vigilance at first.