Sushi & Kids: What You Should Know

• Impairment of peripheral vision;
• Tingling "pins and needles" sensations in the hands, feet, and around the mouth;
• Lack of coordination;
• Impairment of speech, hearing and walking; and
• Muscle weakness.

Is Raw Fish Safe For Children?

SeaWeb is a nonprofit communications organization focused on ocean conservation and healthy seafood sustainability. They suggest that eating fish once a week by children ages 3+ is a safe limit to follow and to look for farmed Tilapia, Northern US and Canadian shrimp, Wild Alaskan Salmon (chum, Coho and pink), and most types of crab.

When purchasing fish, look for nutritional information about mercury and PCB concentrations. Your local seafood merchant should know where the fish is from and if it's safe for sushi use. When eaten in moderation, fish is a healthy source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids which are great for brain health.

Alternative Sushi Fillings

Many sushi rolls include cooked items and vegetables and still retain the sushi reputation. One of the most popular sushi rolls, the California Roll, contains imitation crab meat which is fully cooked, along with cucumber and avocado. If you're dining out at a sushi bar, they typically have a vegetarian section full of fish-less rolls, and some even have notes on which rolls are raw and which are cooked.

You don't have to stick to traditional ingredients to make your own sushi-style creations. You can think of sushi in two ways: fillings wrapped in a rice and seaweed roll and sliced into chunks or anything that resembles a sushi piece. If you're going to follow the rice-and-seaweed trend, you can choose any flavors you like to make a great custom sushi roll.