At what age can you give your child shrimp?

Beneficial and harmful properties of shrimp

So, let’s highlight the following benefits of how these seafood can be good for children:

it is a low-calorie product with a minimum of fat, which is digested fairly quickly;
the pleasant taste will make any dish more refined, in addition, shrimp can be eaten on their own;
Shrimp have a high content of proteins, which are beneficial for growth; they also contain a lot of vitamins (A, C, D, E), fatty acids and microelements necessary for the body.

beneficial properties will be important for children :

they promote the absorption of nutrients;
help brain development;
improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
improve vision;
protect the child’s body from infections;
nutrients help in building bone structures and teeth;
I reduce the risk of excess weight problems.

Based on all this, we conclude that shrimp are good for children, but, like any product, shrimp also have disadvantages . These include:

high risk of food allergies;
cooking involves a large amount of salt, which is harmful to the child’s body;
The shrimp sold on the shelves may be raised in special farms using growth hormones and antibiotics.

Of the above disadvantages, it is worth highlighting food allergies, which often appear after eating this seafood. Signs of an allergy may include:

nausea and vomiting,
bloating and diarrhea;
itching and swelling of the face;
weakness and breathing problems;
cyanosis and convulsions.

If these symptoms are detected, you should stop administering this product. Particular attention should be paid to parents whose children have already encountered intolerance to any food, as well as those in the family in which one of the family members is hypersensitive to seafood.

About the benefits

According to nutritionists, shrimp are a low-calorie product and contain a whole range of amino acids important for humans. It is believed that most of the vitamins and minerals are contained in their insides. In addition to the fact that this product has a pleasant taste and piquant flavor, it is also extremely useful:

vitamin D is an important substance, especially in the first years of the baby and is necessary as a prevention of rickets;
the vitamin B complex improves the condition of nails, hair and skin, and also has a positive effect on the nervous system and helps increase the absorption of iron;
chitin contained in shrimp, which resembles plant fiber in its structure, cleanses the body of toxins and helps cope with constipation;
A product rich in vitamin A strengthens bone tissue and normalizes metabolism;
The iodine contained in shrimp ensures the proper functioning of the thyroid gland;
zinc helps increase immunity, improve brain activity, the condition of the visual organs and skin;
calcium is responsible for the development of the 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 amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids helps to increase the tone of blood vessels, and also helps to reduce the likelihood of disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular system.

At what age can you include shrimp in your baby’s diet?

Most pediatricians do not advise giving shrimp to children before they reach 3 years of age, and even less should they be given to a one-year-old baby. Closer to 3 years, the baby’s body is already adapted to new food and complementary foods.

Rather, as an exception, you can give this product to babies when there is a lack of protein in their body. In this case, this product will become more of a necessity than just a delicacy. In addition, seafood helps cope with anemia and promotes growth.

You should avoid eating this delicacy if the woman did not eat seafood during pregnancy or lactation. You need to be especially careful when giving them to your baby if he lives in a region where seafood is rare.

How to properly introduce shrimp into your baby's diet

There are a number of other questions about how to introduce shrimp into your baby’s diet and do it correctly. So, a few rules for the first introduction of this seafood:

First of all, you should consult with a pediatrician, who should find out whether there are any contraindications;
The first time the baby should be given one or two boiled shrimps. Then it is better to wait a few days to make sure there are no allergies or side effects. In addition, it is better to give this product at home, and not, for example, in a restaurant. This way you can be sure of the freshness of the product and the correctness of its preparation;
If everything is fine, then you can give your baby dishes from this seafood or shrimp on your own from time to time.

Molluscs are aquatic animals with a shell-like external structure. They live in both salt and fresh water and are divided into two groups - crustaceans and mollusks themselves.

These sea and lake creatures are rich in protein, micronutrients and healthy fats such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which support baby's growth and development.

Despite the obvious advantages, shellfish can have a harmful effect on a fragile child’s body: cause allergies and be a carrier of hazardous metals (mercury and cadmium).

At what age can children be given mussels, shrimp and other shellfish?

Some experts advise introducing shellfish into complementary foods from 6 months - the age when the child begins to consume solid food (cereals, cereals, poultry, meat). However, others recommend delaying introduction to seafood until 12 months due to the development of a possible allergic reaction.

Nutritional value of mussels, shrimp and other shellfish

Nutritional value depends on the type of shellfish (crustaceans and molluscs).

The most commonly consumed crustaceans are crabs, crayfish, lobsters, shrimp, shellfish - scallops, oysters and mussels. Below is the approximate nutritional composition of various types of shellfish (cooked), based on an 85 gram serving.

How are shrimp, mussels and other shellfish good for children?

Among the main advantages:

Rich in high-quality protein: Shellfish (scallops, shrimp and blue crab) contain protein, which is an essential source of amino acids important for baby development.
Contain a large number of microelements: moderate consumption of shellfish can provide the required level of microelements - vitamins B12 and D, sodium, potassium, copper, zinc and iodine. They help regulate important physiological processes, including the child's physical and mental growth.
Are a source of healthy fats: Shellfish contain polyunsaturated fatty acids such as DHA and EPA, which are types of omega-3 fatty acids and promote healthy brain development.
Have immune-boosting properties: Shellfish contain carotenoids such as astaxanthin, which have immune-boosting properties. It also includes peptides, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A, D, B12, iron, copper and zinc, which are considered beneficial for the immune system.

Thus, regular consumption of shellfish improves immunity and also has anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects.

How can shrimp, mussels and other shellfish be harmful to children?

Like any other food, shellfish can have harmful effects on children. Including:

Foodborne illnesses: Raw and undercooked shellfish, mainly oysters and mussels, can contain viruses and bacteria that can lead to poisoning. Shrimp and mussels caught from dirty water are found to contain dangerous pathogens such as norovirus, as well as harmful algal bloom toxin (HAB) and brevetoxin, which can be fatal to infants.
Chemical contamination: Lobsters, scallops, and crabs can be contaminated with mercury, which negatively affects the central nervous system.
Allergies: An allergic reaction to shellfish depends on the individual and the type of shellfish. Common symptoms of food allergies include wheezing and difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, hives and itching, and watery, swollen eyes. An extreme allergic reaction can cause anaphylaxis.

Tips for including shellfish in your child's diet

The following tips may help reduce the risk of adverse effects from shellfish consumption among infants.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends serving an ounce (30 grams) of fish and shellfish once or twice a week to children ages 2 to 3 years. However, there are no clear recommendations.
Never feed your baby raw or undercooked shellfish, as this may increase the risk of food poisoning. Seafood must be cooked to a temperature reaching at least 145F (63C).
Do not feed your baby leftover cooked seafood.
Introduce only one type of seafood at a time. Follow the "three to five day wait" rule to check for allergic reactions.
Feed seafood in small portions (half or a whole teaspoon at a time). This will help your baby adjust to the taste and texture of the new food.
Children under one year old can be given seafood in the form of puree or paste, older children - in the form of small pieces that have undergone full heat treatment.

References:

Dawn Earnesty,Are there foods my baby should not eat?; Michigan State University
VazhiyilVenugopal and KumarapanickerGopakumar; Shellfish: Nutritive Value, Health Benefits, and Consumer Safety; Wiley Online Library
Fish and Shellfish Nutrient Composition; Seafood Health Facts: Making Smart Choices; Seafood health facts
Ryota Hosomi et al., Seafood Consumption and Components for Health; CCSE
Faye M. Dong, The Nutritional Value of Shellfish; University of Washington
Foods That Can Cause Food Poisoning; CDC
Marine Environments; CDC
Case Definition: Brevetoxin; CDC
All About Shellfish; Winchester Hospital
EPA-FDA Advice about Eating Fish and Shellfish; EPA
Shellfish Allergy; John Hopkins All Children's Hospital
Healthy Fish Choices for Kids; Healthy Children; AAP
Foods to avoid giving babies and young children; NHS

Methods for preparing seafood for a baby

The first time a child should simply boil them with a little salt. To do this, they are washed under running water and then thrown into boiling salted water for 2-3 minutes. You can add a small amount of lemon juice. They can not only be boiled, but also fried in a small amount of olive oil. With the successful introduction of this product, you can diversify your dishes.

For example, shrimp soup will be a very tasty dish for little gourmets. Most often, young mothers prepare cream soup, which is very simple to make. Also an excellent option would be various salads, to which you simply add a few boiled shrimp. This product can be added to various sauces and served with pasta.

A Question of Choice

You can buy shrimp in a store or market. They are offered to clients in restaurants, hotels, and on trips abroad. However, this product is not always worth treating children to. If it is far from the sea and it is not possible to enjoy a fresh catch, frozen is preferable.

High-quality shrimp always have on the packaging all the information about the manufacturer, shelf life and storage conditions.

They are approximately the same size, with slightly curved bodies and tails bent inward.
The color of the flesh is light gray, the shells may be slightly darkened. An unrefined ice-glazed product is preferable to a refined product. The packaging should not contain snow or a large number of broken antennae. Boiled shrimp should be pink, with tender juicy meat and a spicy aroma. Source

How to choose the right product

Before cooking, you should carefully select this seafood. Here are some tips:

high-quality and fresh seafood should be pink or coral in color. Their head can be either brown or green. A black head indicates spoilage of the product;
for children, it is advisable to purchase small cold-water shrimp, which contain several times more useful substances than warm-water large seafood;
a good product has a smooth, shiny shell with a uniform color. When purchasing, pay attention to the tail, it should be wrapped inward;
There is no need to buy ready-boiled ones. If you can’t buy fresh ones, then you should cook from frozen products;
You should not give your child undercooked shrimp, which are dangerous for the child’s body. Harmful bacteria can cause poisoning or diarrhea.

Shrimp are a real storehouse of vitamins and microelements, but you should treat this seafood very carefully. Especially when it comes to children.

Precautionary measures

While in water, shrimp accumulate heavy metal compounds. For this reason, it is so important to know the origin of the product. True, the content of arsenic and other toxic substances is extremely low, but caution does not hurt. You should also refrain from purchasing shrimp delivered from Asian countries, since most of the products supplied from there are not grown in natural conditions, but in an artificial environment, as a result of which they have practically no beneficial properties.

Other dangers:

shrimp are more likely than other foods to cause allergies; they can cause angioedema even in absolutely healthy children - be extremely careful;
since it is not always possible to check the freshness of shrimp, there is a high probability of poisoning;
contain 2 times more cholesterol than pork, which can negatively affect your health if you eat shrimp in significant quantities;
Large shrimp are often obtained using pharmaceutical drugs; it is better to refrain from consuming them.

With frequent consumption of shrimp, toxic substances and heavy metal salts can accumulate in the body.