Fish Fingers - Ok or *really* bad?

[Haydies]

I'm wanting to offer DD more variety in her food, and something I was thinking of offering is some sort of fish. I'm not a huge fish eater myself, but I will have it from the Fish n Chip shop, or when out to dinner. I've never cooked it before in my life and wouldn't know where to start, so I figure that option is out.

I was looking at the Fish Fingers in Coles today thinking that might be an option, but my goodness at the list of ingredients on the back. Yes silly me for thinking they would be "fish" and "bread crumbs" lol I didn't even know what half the things were...

So, are Fish Fingers ok to offer an 11 month old? Or are they really bad? Any other ideas to see if she wants Fish? Is fish ok at 11 months?

[Lulu]

Ooh you gotta be really careful. Alot of the fish in frozen products comes from stinky dirty waterways overseas......

Why dont you try some tuna. I hate the stuff but all my (picky) children like it!

[MantaRay]

I am not a fan of fish fingers TBH. My boys have had them once at a friend's place and that's it. My main concerns are the salt and preservatives, and also the fish used in them is usually the species that are connected with high mercury levels or other contanimation. You can get some brands which aren't, but they are harder to find.

I try to ensure the boys have fish at least once a fortnight. The main ways we have it are salmon patties or grilled fish. Grilled fish is really easy to do, and DH loves to do it on the BBQ as well which I love. For a special treat they also get fish and chips occassionally although until recently I would order them grilled fish, or pull the crumbs off before giving it to them. Other things you can do are tuna mornay, or baked fish (there are some really yummy recipes for cooking fish in the oven if you google it). GL, fish is scary to cook at first, but once you've done it once or twice, you'll see how easy it actually is!

[Barb Glare]

Fish is a fabulous food - and if there are no allergy to seafood issues in your families, can be started soon after 6mnths. Try something like flake or blue grenedier - can be mashed or cut into chunks for self feeding. My fave is beat an egg and a little milk, dip fish in that, then into some flour and then shallow fry in some butter or oils
Or get some of that extremely yummy atlantic salmon and grill or fry. then serve or mash into chunks and mix with some pasta. Or some kind of tuna (canned) pasta bake would be good.
Regards
Barb

[Claire]

Fish is a fabulous food - and if there are no allergy to seafood issues in your families, can be started soon after 6mnths. Try something like flake or blue grenedier - can be mashed or cut into chunks for self feeding. My fave is beat an egg and a little milk, dip fish in that, then into some flour and then shallow fry in some butter or oils
Or get some of that extremely yummy atlantic salmon and grill or fry. then serve or mash into chunks and mix with some pasta. Or some kind of tuna (canned) pasta bake would be good.
Regards
Barb

Yum yum!

I make homemade fish and chips for the children - that way I'm steering clear of preservatives and synthetic antioxidants in food.

[paradise lost]

Haydies fish is SOOOOOOeasy! And if cooking it is a huge problem, well, the japanese and ME eat it raw! LOL.

If you want to try her with fresh tuna you go and buy a steak of it and cook it in a frying pan the same way you would frying steak - couple of minutes each side, then flake it for her. For salmon stick it in an overproof baking dish, cover in foil and put it in a medium oven for 20-30 minutes, then again, flake and serve. Seriously, there is no genuis needed for fish

Bx

[Ezz]

you can also steam it - in the steamer basket inside a saucepan of boiling water. You sit the fish in a bowl with some lemon, shallots, garlic, coriander. Sit the bowl in the steamer basket & put it inside the saucepan. Then put the lid on the saucepan and boil for 10 - 15 mins. We steam basa fillets or dory fillets.

[Arimeh]

I think fish is ok at that age - but I would choose dishes that had tinned tuna over fish fingers.. but thats just me

Or salmon patties or something like that?

[Michelle71]

You can make your own fish fingers really easily too (and use multigrain breadcrumbs too for added healthy stuff ) Go to a fish monger and ask for some firm white fish - you can then make sure it was caught locally / in Australia rather than O/S. Cut into strips about the size of your index finger. Dip in flour then egg wash then breadcrumbs. You can either bake them in the oven with a little bit of oil spray or shallow fry them on the stove over medium / low heat. When the crumbs are brown the fish will be cooked. Great finger food for the little people.

I also make salmon and vegetable patties which DS loves and feeds himself. Mashed potato, salmon (pink or red tinned - you can use tinned tuna too) and any vegetables you want to add in (I usually use peas and corn but anything in the crisper will work). Mix together - you can use an egg to bind if needed. Egg wash and breadcrumbs and cook the same as the fish fingers. The fish is already cooked so you are just wanting them brown.

[Haydies]

Oooh, she can have Tuna?! I've never eaten it so didn't know. I was looking at the tins of Tuna in Coles today too.

I think I'll steer clear of the Fish Fingers - thankyou all. Would fish from the Fish N Chip shop be ok if I got it grilled or if I pulled all the batter off? I just worry about her having deep fried foods, I don't like her eating that sort of fat.

[MantaRay]

Haydies, home cooked would be best, but my boys eat really well usually so I think the occassional take away fish and chips to give DH and I a break from cooking is not going to hurt. I cook fish more than I buy it though.

[Tobily]

Neither DH or I eat fish so we started both of our kiddos on it at about 9 months with tinned tuna.

I used to make a basic tuna mornay and just pop into little containers and freeze. They'd have it with rice or pasta.

Lots of omega 3's in tuna and salmon - deep sea, oily fish are very high in them.

[morgan78]

Also try sardines, great for the Omega 3. My 2 love them on toast.
Also if you are buying tinned fish try and get it in water as opposed to brine/oil as it is better for the little ones.

[Haydies]

I'll have to have a look at the Tune next shop - I assume they mark what their soaking in? The tinned stuff is ok? Anything I should look out for or stay away from? I figure it's probably easier to try a tin or two to see if she likes it before I go looking into cooking it myself.

[Liz]

oh.. I thought fish was off limits until 1? Or is that other seafood? Admittedly I haven't read any pamphlets this time around

But yeah, I'd avoid fish fingers and things. As you say, it's not just fish & breadcrumbs! LOL.

[Haydies]

Ooh you make it sound so easy to cook it!

Questions then:

1. What does 'flake it' mean?
2. Where do you buy fish or salmon steaks from? I buy my meat from a butcher because I worry about Coles meats... I assume I have to find a, um, "fish selling place" for fish?

[Ezz]

Yeah - you can get it from a fish shop/fish market. Or you can buy frozen fish (not crumbed etc - just whole frozen fillets) from Coles.

Flaking the fish means that you break it up into bits. Because of the texture of fish, it just breaks apart into little "flakes"

[sirenz]

this is a good thread because i thought you couldn't give fish until 1 year old.. i will definately be making some fish cakes for ds now... minus the egg cause he hasn't had egg yet.