It’s traditional for families to sit down to a fish dish on Good Friday, but according to a survey by Haliborange Omega-3(1), getting children to eat it is a very different story, with 42 per cent of those questioned disliking the taste of fish.
Most parents are more aware than ever of the benefits of eating oily fish – a rich source of Omega-3 – however the recent FSA survey(2) found nearly half the population (46%) claimed to rarely or never eat oily fish at all
Dr Ray Rice, (Omega-3 Expert and author of “Clinical Guide to Omega-3 for Children’s Brain Development”) comments: “Children’s brain health is significantly affected by level of omega 3 intake and it has to be taken through dietary source.
Supplements like Haliborange Omega-3 Advanced Formula are good for children because they deliver a guaranteed dose of Omega-3, they taste a lot better than oily fish and deliver enough Omega-3 to make a difference, unlike some fortified foods.
On Easter Sunday healthy eating is likely to take even more of a back seat as kids tuck into a pile of chocolate eggs. An expert in child behaviour disorders, Dr Amanda Kirby of the University of Wales has this advice to help parents avoid the effects of hyperactivity-inducing sugar and caffeine from all that chocolate:
Plan a big family football game to get them moving after the chocolate comes out - or if it's raining, there are plenty of free indoor attractions like the Tate Modern or Eden Project which are geared up for energetic kids
Find a great tasting Omega 3 fish oil supplement to give them every day. Studies have shown that Omega 3 fish oil can help improve behaviour and concentration in children, exactly what they need at such an exciting time of year.
Give several little eggs instead of one huge one and devise a fun hunting trail around the garden or park.
Easter is almost as inspiring as Christmas when it comes to craft activities to occupy little hands- sew an Easter bunny puppet and put on a show, weave a basket to keep the chocolate eggs in, make an Easter bonnet for a doll, the list is endless!
Make sure that chocolate is kept in one place and only brought out after meals - this will stop them eating so much, and spoiling their appetite for the healthy things at dinner time.