Fish oil supplements offer dozens of potential benefits to children of all ages. According to MedlinePlus, a website of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, fish oil may ease symptoms of common childhood disorders, including cognitive delays, depression, behavioral disorders and attention deficit disorder; omega-3 fats are critical for the proper development of a child's brain and central nervous system. Unfortunately, fish oil has a fairly unpleasant taste, and many children find capsules difficult to swallow. Parents can try using several methods to encourage their children to take supplemental fish oil.
Step 1
Purchase a chewable, child-friendly fish oil supplement at your local health food store. The brand Nordic Naturals manufactures strawberry-flavored capsules containing a high concentration of the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Solgar, another supplement manufacturer, offers fruit-flavored, fish-shaped capsules containing 200 mg of DHA per serving. Most children enjoy the taste of these flavored supplements.
Step 2
Give your child a small glass of juice after she takes her supplements. This serves two purposes: it acts as a reward for taking the fish oil, and it can help to eliminate any lingering aftertaste. Sweet solid foods such as bananas can also cleanse unpleasant tastes from a child's palate.
Step 3
Consider breaking fish oil capsules and mixing them into other foods. A well-made omega-3 supplement should have no detectable fishy flavor. Try mixing the fish oil into sweet foods such as apple sauce or creamy foods such as mashed potatoes.
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