omega-3 supplements?
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| Tue, 01-10-2006 - 1:33pm |
For those of you who give your kids omega-3 supplements, how do you get them to take it? And in what form? I take a big honking fish oil capsule every day, but my kids can't do that, obviously. And I fear that if I break open the capsule and try to put the fish oil in something, they will flat out refuse because of the smell/taste. Have any of you found a form of fish oil (or other omega-3 supplement) that your kids will willingly take? Fish itself isn't an option -- DH is VERY allergic to shellfish and the smell of fish of any kind makes him break out in hives. I've started using ground flaxseed in things, but recently read that it's not as effective a source of omega-3s as fish. Neither of my kids eat eggs, so omega-3 eggs aren't an option. What's a stressed-out mom to do?
Thanks,
Jennifer

If your children are allergic to fish, they may not be able to take these, but we have had good luck with the Nordic Naturals brand. The first ingredient is "purified deep sea fish oil" so if fish allergies run in your family, this might not work for you.
When Eric was 2 I started giving him their "Children's DHA" which is a chewable little capsule. It is strawberry flavored and doesn't taste or smell like fish at all. They are really small, look kind of like vitamin E. Eric actually looked forward to taking his "fish vitamins" (he called them that because there is a picutre of a goldfish on the front!)
Eric is now almost 4 and a pretty big kid, so we have switched to the Nordic Naturals Omega Junior 3-6-9. I made the mistake of getting lemon flavor (they come in strawberry too, but the store was out of them.) Eric will take the strawberry ones, but not the lemon. So now that I have a whole joar of the lemon ones, I do pop them open and mix with a little juice. He doesn't seem to mind the flavor in the juice.
My guy adores eggs, so we don't have that problem, but another way we get in the Omega's is through different things made by the Smart Balance company. They make a butter substitute called "omega plus" and a really creamy peanut butter that has omega too. I also still put flax meal in lots of things, works well for my guy with tomato sauces.
I think olive oil is a good source of omegas too, as well as green leafy veggies and nuts. I sneak ground up green veggies in tomato sauce again. I can hide lots of things in tomato sauce!
I also give Eric a snack called "Robert's Veggie Booty" which is popcorn coated in a mix of spinach, broccoli, and Kale. It sounds yukky, but actually tastes great. It is green and has the appeal to little boys who want to "be gross!"
I don't know if your kids like nuts, again, another allergy area, but Eric likes any kind of nut. I give him lots of homemade trail mix. I have also started experimenting with using ground nuts as a kind of flour replacement.
Just a couple of ideas. Good luck!
Katherine
I was just thinking about starting a thread about the very same issue. How old are your kids? Can you give fish oil to a 2 year old? I'm always afraid to give the kids anything that isn't prescribed by the doc so I was nervous about starting Jake on it but I have heard wonderful things about it. I'm curious to hear what other moms experiences have been with it.
Teresa
My DH (who is a bit of a health nut) started taking fish oil himself, BEFORE we heard about the potential bennies for speech impaired kids.
We asked our developmental ped., and her response was "I'm Danish, and I grew up on it! Won't hurt him!"
But the smell/taste thing is a problem. DH used to break open the capsules and try and force it down DS's throat (lovely). But it ended up on his clothes and not only does it SMELL but it STAINS. Ugh.
Nordic Naturals (which I buy online) seem to be somewhat better, in either lemon or strawberry. My DS only drinks water (no juice) so it's hard to hide that stuff. Maple syrup works for us!
HTH,
Cathy
Coromega
It is pricey but I hear it is great. It is high quality omega 3 in a orange pudding like substance.
Other than that I would go for the nordic naturals. Thier kids ones that are capsules are tons smaller than the regular one.
Also, Carlsons makes an oil my MIL swears doesn't taste fishy. I don't know, I haven't tried it, but that is what she says. I think she has mixed it in smoothies for my kids at her house.
Fortunately my kids are champion pill swallowers and chug down that big old nasty thing like it is nothing, ROFL. Did take Dave a bit of practice though and we did use the smaller nordics first. Just getting him not to bite it was the thing.
Renee
My kids are also champ pill swallowers. They learned when they were 5 yrs old. They take the nordic naturals ultimate omegas.
Samantha
Thanks all so much for your replies! I had no idea they had flavored omega-3s... will try to find them in my local nat'l food market. I think I'll also try that pudding/custard stuff, as Sylvie seems to be into that kind of thing. I don't think we'll try the pill swallowing for a while yet -- both my kids are gaggers -- but if I can get the oil into their food or drink without them minding the flavor, we'll be golden.
Thanks again!
Jennifer