Ethical, cheap fish and what to do with it?

Gingham_Ribbon · 13 March 2006 at 2:22PM

My 27 month old is currently a vegetarian and we have had no problems with his diet up till now. He is already a metre tall and is in age 5-6 clothes. He's a big, strong, happy lad. He's bright but his concentration span seems short although I'm not sure that this isn't totally normal for an energetic 2 year old.

I bought fish oils for him to try but there is no way he'll put them near his mouth and I don't blame him. It's flavoured oil that you add to food but the smell is vile.

So I've decided to try him with some actual fish to see how he gets on with it. But I've never bought or cooked it before as I'm vegetarian and intend to remain so.

So how do I start? What do I do? I don't want to buy anything else from a supermarket. I'd rather buy it somewhere local but I don't know of any shops that sell it round here or how to find them. And I don't know which fish is harvested ethically or is under threat from intensive farming. And I have no idea what to do with it once I've brought it home.

I will be unable to do the following: bone or gut it, deal with anything with a face or skin on it. Actually, I'm struggling with the whole idea of it but I'm just trying to do what's best for my lovely little boy.

Any help I would be very gratefully received.

(I'm really sorry and I hope I don't cause anyone offense, but I really, really couldn't manage to go to a butcher's shop so that's not an option.)

rchddap1 · 13 March 2006 at 2:27PM

If you find a good fishmonger they should do all the hard work for you so all you have to do is cook it.

Loadsabob · 13 March 2006 at 2:38PM

Hello Gingham ribbon,

I'm no help on fish, I'm afraid, as I'm vegetarian too, but thought I could suggest flax seed oil as an alternative to fish oils. I know they sell bottles of this in Holland and Barrett, and it can be added to food, and it has the Omega oils in it. I take vegetarian DHA capsules and flax seed oil to get my veggie Omega-3s instead of taking fish oils. These oils will be lighter in flavour than fish oils, I would have thought.

I couldn't advise you at all on whether these oils are suitable for babies and young children (Holland and Barrett staff probably could), just suggesting a possible alternative to the fish oils if actual fish doesn't solve your problems. There's a bit of information Here from the Vegetarian Society on Omega 3 fats, if that's any help,

all the best.

Jay-Jay_4 · 13 March 2006 at 2:46PM

Howe about some tinned fish? Sardines in tomato sauce on toast... yum, tuna on baked potato or in a pasta bake, tinned mackrel is delish mashed onto buttered wholemeal toast and whacked under the grill for a minute, tinned skinless and boneless salmon (Glenryck is nice) is lovely mixed with a little mayo and lemon juice on a sandwich.

Easy!

recovering_spendaholic · 13 March 2006 at 2:50PM

I second what Loadsabob says, but did you know that you can buy chewy omega 3 vitamins from boots, especially for kids? I got some for my very fussy DD and she ate it and said it was nice. Just one tablet a day is all that is needed, however I am not sure that they are suitable for vegetarians, but as an alternative to fish it might be okay. My teenaged daughter is a strict vegetarian and I get her the omega 3 for vegetarians capsules from boots, but I don't know if a two year old would take one.

Just out of interest, do you eat Quorn? My teenager eats it but I am sure that I read somewhere that it was not really very ethical - am I right?

kirstyreanne · 13 March 2006 at 2:52PM

I usually get salmon from Morissons & it's lovely & really easy to cook - just put it covered into the microwave for a few minutes.

I think I've read on here before that Morissons actually have fishmongers & butchers on site so I should imagine that the fish should be pretty good quality.

HTH

nabowla · 13 March 2006 at 3:01PM

How about googling to find the details of an organic fish supplier that delivers to your door? It won't be as cheap as buying from a supermarket but a) you'd be buying produce that fits your ethical criteria and b) you wouldn't have to go to a butcher/fishmonger. You need to order fillets - these are usually skinned and will definitely have been gutted/decapitated.

thriftlady_2 · 13 March 2006 at 3:01PM

Hi,Gingham Ribbon
If you're after omega 3 fish oils you need oily fish. Herring, mackerel, pilchards, sardines, salmon, trout and tuna are the ones to go for.I think you shouldn't give fresh tuna to small children due to mercury levels.Trout has a very mild taste and a lovely pink colour but is nearly always farmed,as is salmon.Herring and mackerel are cheap,fished from British shores and extremely good for you, but they have a very strong taste which my children are not that keen on.

On an ethical level mackerel, pilchards and sardines are at safe biological limits.Atlantic salmon isn't.I'm not sure about herring but think it's OK.I'm reading this info from 'The New English Kitchen',by Rose Prince which is excellent on ethics and food shopping,although it does make you worry about everything you buy.

As someone already said a fishmonger(if you're lucky enough to have one)will dehead,gut,fillet,skin whatever you want.

For non-oily fish,an excellent source of low fat protein, I buy coley as it's really cheap,mild in taste and not on the point of disappearing like cod.

Don't forget tinned fish.If you buy it in oil it will apparently retain more of it's omega 3 oils.Also smoked oily fish is easy to deal with.Kippers, and smoked mackerel can be bought ready to eat, but you might not want to give your little one too much smoked,salty food.HTH

lynzpower · 13 March 2006 at 3:04PM

recovering_spendaholic wrote:

I second what Loadsabob says, but did you know that you can buy chewy omega 3 vitamins from boots, especially for kids? I got some for my very fussy DD and she ate it and said it was nice. Just one tablet a day is all that is needed, however I am not sure that they are suitable for vegetarians, but as an alternative to fish it might be okay. My teenaged daughter is a strict vegetarian and I get her the omega 3 for vegetarians capsules from boots, but I don't know if a two year old would take one.

Just out of interest, do you eat Quorn? My teenager eats it but I am sure that I read somewhere that it was not really very ethical - am I right?

The reason why Quorn is said not to be ethical ( i believe anyway) is that in some quorn products eggs are used and they are not free range. Whether theres any truth in that I dont know, but thats what I heard from a very committed veggie mate of mine.

pollys · 13 March 2006 at 3:12PM

Hi Gingham Ribbon, I wouldn't worry about buying/preparing something you feel so strongly about. Many 2 year olds have short concentration spans. I have 4 children and the boys especially found it difficult to sit still for more than a few minutes. Have you spoken to your Health Visitor? she should be able to reassure you that he is fine. My boys are very energetic and they are bouncing of the walls if they are cooped up for too long.

HTH

Sarahsaver · 13 March 2006 at 3:15PM

Fishballs:

stay with me i'm not being rude!;)
tin of dolphin friendly tuna
2 potatoes, about the size to fill your palm
an egg
herbs or salt and pepper to taste, i like tarragon
oats, about half a cup or maybe less

deep fryer (deep fried food is not unhealthy because these do so quick as long as u have the opil hot enough)

drain the tuna
boil the spuds, drain and mash in the pan, add the tuna, mix well, add the seasonings, mix, ad the egg and mix vigorously so the egg doesnt cook into a lump.

on a plate put a layer of oats

roll the fish/potato mix into balls and roll int he oats until well coated

deep fry til brown.

eat and enjoy!

DD who is the fussiest kid in the family actually asked for more. Th eoats add a crunch, and they are not overly fishy fishy smelly. Ds2 loves a tin of sardines, just sardines nothing else!
bTW dont worry about frying, oils and fats are essential in a child's brain development, and kids need proportionately more fat than adults in their diets too.

Just have faith in your OS ways and patience with your child. Its always better to eat the raw materials, just think how many middle men you need to end up with the capsule of omega 3. I think my daughter is the fussiest bcos i was a veggie during my pregnancy and til she was 2 and a half. Then ds1 came along and demanded MEAT! It is harder for a child to get what they need from a vegi diet but not impossible. Give them as many textures as poss bcos veggies going on to meat may find meat a shock otherwise.

I used to be a vegan, for about 10 years so veggies please dont be upset! now I would eat anything apart from swede;)

BTW my kids like linseeds, which I add to cakes and bread, also pizza bases. These have 'good fats' in them too.

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Ethical, cheap fish and what to do with it?

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