Vetinari wrote:Also really raw stuff/shellfish is considered bad for kids? Huh... Not sure what to make of that - is it actually true, or just overprotectiveness?
That really depends on the source you're getting it from and the which years recomendations you're listening to. Dr's tend to go back and forth on the issue of whether the benefits of fish outweigh the risks and what ages are safe. Currently the recommendations most doctors will give you is an across the board no fish for kids, no raw fish until their teenagers. So it's not parental overprotectiveness if that's what the doctors are saying, but that doesn't necassarly reflect the actual danger. Moderation, the type of fish, and knowing where your food is coming from are really the biggest factors there. Here's the EPA's take on it: http://water.epa.gov/scitech/swguidance ... _index.cfm
EDIT: for the raw food thing, knowing the source of the food, how fresh it is, and how it's been stored/handled is key. For instance, I won't eat sushi that contains raw fish if I haven't seen it prepared or if it wasn't made right when I ordered it. Since I don't live near the coast, I know the major fish reseller that stocks most of the local restaurants. I know their standards for how a fish is handled from catch to sale. If a restaurant doesn't get it's stock from that reseller I won't eat it, because I don't know what might have happened to it during transport. Also why I don't eat raw sushi while visiting the midwest unless whoever I'm with can really vouch for it. (In case it wasn't clear I really really love my sushi/sashimi)