Since the olden days, organ meats have been and still are some of the most nutritious meats in an animal. Also known as offal, these meats include the liver, heart, brain, kidneys, intestines, and tongue. People worldwide consume organ meats from cows, sheep, goats, hens, and ducks. Other animals include pigs and camels.
Most organ meats such as liver, heart, and kidney contain enormous amounts of nutrients and minerals. They contain vitamin B12, folate, iron, proteins, zinc, and fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. In some parts of the world, people value organ meat for its nutritional value, and some tribes, such as the Maasai of Kenya and Tanzania, consume them raw to maximize their nutrient levels. Also, some tribes living in the Arctic regions with little vegetation, such as the Inuit, eat animal intestines for much-needed nutrition.
Are organ meats safe for children?
The simple answer is yes! People of all ages, including older people and children, can consume them unless they are allergic to animal proteins. Studies show that organ meats, especially beef organs, contain almost all of the nutrients that the body needs to grow and develop properly.
During the time of our ancestors, when hunting was a way of life, organ meats were reserved for pregnant women, infants, and children. Even our ancestors knew the incredible health benefits these foods bore.
Health benefits of organ meats
Most organ meats, except tripe and brain, contain nutrients and minerals essential for your child’s development. They are also more nutritious than muscle meat. Here are the excellent benefits of consuming them:
Are packed with iron
Liver and kidneys contain high amounts of heme iron, which our bodies absorb more quickly than plant-based non-heme iron. A serving of 100 g of liver contains 6.5mg of iron, or 36 percent of the daily recommended value.
Organ meats also contain mineralssuch as magnesium, zinc, selenium, and copper, as well as vitamins D, E, and K. They are packed with choline, which is essential for brain and liver health.
These meats also contain enough protein for muscle growth and repair.
Curb nutrient deficiencies
Organ meats are nature’s best multivitamins. They contain several minerals, vitamins, proteins, and essential nutrients that can alleviate your child’s risk of developing deficiencies. According to Dr. Weston Price, a Canadian dentist who traveled the globe and documented the diets and health of isolated, non-industrialized peoples untouched by modern foods, organ meats are one of the few sources of activator-X.
Activator-X, or vitamin K2, promotes bone growth and health, improves energy and endurance, transports calcium into bones, and strengthens teeth by preventing cavities. Organ meats are, therefore, essential for your child’s overall growth and development.
Build a robust immune system
Organ meats contain high amounts of zinc, which is needed for a robust immune system. Zinc deficiency can lead to weakened immunity, making one susceptible to infections.
Lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease
Vitamin B1, known as thiamin, is readily available in liver meat. Studies have shown that consuming liver may help prevent risk factors associated with Alzheimer’s disease, such as memory loss and plaque formation.
Reduces the risk of cancer
Vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin, helps protect the body against some types of cancer. Liver and kidney organ meats contain riboflavin, and consuming them may help protect against colorectal and lung cancers. Vitamin B2 deficiency has been found to increase the risk of cancer of the esophagus.
How can you get your children to eat organ meats?
Children will eat anything that you teach them to eat unless they are allergic or it makes them sick. If you dislike certain foods, they will also tend to dislike them. The first step to helping your children consume organ meat is to eat it yourself.
Start early
Introduce organ meats to your children in their early childhood. That way, they will get used to them and have no problem consuming them as they grow. Starting early will also help them develop tolerance to proteins and meats.
Start slow
Start slow if you have not introduced organ meats to your children at an early age. Let them eat one organ meat at a time, then introduce more as they go. For example, you can start with the liver and then introduce other organs as they get used to the prior ones. You can also serve them small portions and increase the portions with time.
Incorporate the meats into other dishes
If the smell of organ meats throws them off, you can try masking it by incorporating it into other dishes. Use liver pate, liver-infused meatballs, Menudo soup, and other plentiful recipes available online or on YouTube.
Do not overdo
Do not force your children to consume too much organ meat. Consuming organ meats once a week provides them with the necessary nutritional value for proper growth and development. Too much organ meat can lead to vitamin A toxicity.
Take away
Organ meats have several unparalleled health benefits for you and your children. They contain essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients for your child’s growth and well-being. They are also more affordable than most muscle cuts and can be consumed by people of all ages, reducing food wastage.
