We received the following message from Susan in Wyoming, who was concerned about the presence of bones in a can of salmon she had just opened…
I don’t like fish at all, but my pediatrician told me that’s it’s good for my child, so I’m making an effort to include it in her meals when I can!
Today, I bought a can of salmon, which I thought I could use to make a sandwich for her – but when I opened it, it was full of bones! I have never used canned salmon before – is it supposed to look like this? How on earth do I remove all these bones?
Well, the good news is that you don’t have to, Susan – the bones in canned salmon are not just SAFE to eat… they’re actually packed with calcium, making them GOOD to eat!
Unlike the bones you may encounter in fresh fish – which, of course, pose an extreme choking hazard to young children AND adults – the bones in canned salmon are soft and easily crushed with a fork. For a baby already coping well with eating sandwiches, the crushed bones from canned salmon should pose no problem and will not be noticeable within the fish.
Personally, I LOVE the bones in canned salmon – they give it an interesting texture and I never crush them before eating! Older babies who are biting and chewing well should have no problems in dealing with this crumbly texture, either!
But despite their being a great source of calcium, some people do find the sight of all those bones in a little off-putting (and canned salmon often contains skin, too!). If you’re one of those people, then you may prefer to look for cans of boneless, skinless salmon instead (although you will probably have to pay a little more).
Feeding Your Baby's Brain - The Homemade Baby Food Recipes Blog
Friday 22nd of June 2018
[…] (salmon, tuna and sardines are great sources of DHA, although it is important to speak to your doctor about […]
Getting Enough Calcium When You're Lactose Intolerant - Kids Healthy Teeth
Friday 15th of June 2018
[…] Fish may be a little bit tougher to sell, but the health benefits are worth the try! Canned salmon is a little less expensive than fresh salmon, and the canning process softens the fish bones enough to make them edible (we know, gross! But we promise you won’t be able to tell). If the sight bothers your child, just crush the bones into the meat with a fork. Salmon bones are safe to eat and actually very good for you! […]
Seven Simple Sandwich Ideas For Baby - The Homemade Baby Food Recipes Blog
Monday 9th of April 2018
[…] is a big favourite in our house and a great source of calcium and essential fatty acids. Use tuna, salmon or sardines (preferably – in the case of salmon and sardines – WITH their bones and […]
Will
Friday 4th of August 2017
Canned salmon on grits is the bomb! Thanks to my granddaddy for that one
dave
Wednesday 5th of October 2016
I have been eating canned salmon and bones since I was an infant. My mum used to give me the brine and the backbones as a treat which I loved every time she opened a can of salmon. Good for you and good for me at age 65 now. Never a bad experience. Add a touch of malt vinegar and mash with a fork. Put in white bread sandwiches using real butter. Enjoy!