Sushi can be a super fun meal for the whole family - kids included! Rolls are fun to make and eat and most of the ingredients are healthy too. You don't have to limit your idea of sushi to raw fish, either. There are many cooked and non-seafood alternatives you can try - even dessert sushi!

The Dangers of Mercury

The biggest danger associated with seafood consumption is the danger of high mercury levels. While an average adult can normally handle a small amount of mercury from seafood, younger children are at a higher risk for mercury poisoning.

Mercury gets in fish when it is released into the atmosphere by industrial processes. It collects in the clouds and eventually reaches the lakes and rivers through rainfall. Because fish live in these bodies of water, they are surrounded by mercury particles.

Smaller fish generally have the lowest amounts of mercury in their systems because they do not ingest as much. The real issue lies higher up the food chain where larger fish eat smaller fish that contain mercury. This means that not only are the larger fish absorbing the mercury from the water, but also ingesting smaller fish that also have concentrations of mercury.

Pregnant women and young children are among the highest at risk for the adverse effects of mercury. Because mercury damages the neurological systems, some effects may not be noticed until much later in life. However, you may experience some traceable symptoms such as:

• 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.

• Steak Sandwich - thin slices of steak and sautéed peppers and onions
• Teriyaki Chicken - Grilled or fried chicken breast strips, drizzled with teriyaki sauce
• Fiesta Roll- fajita-style marinated grilled chicken breast strips with peppers and onions, drizzled with chili sauce

You don't always have to use nori (seaweed sheets); properly prepared sushi rice will stick to itself and hold together without the extra layer.

Fake Sushi Desserts

The preparing of the roll is one of the most fun steps in a sushi event. You can make faux sushi desserts for a fun and safe sushi party for your kids or as a treat for the whole family.

Peanut Butter Sushi Sandwiches

(Recipe adapted from Parents Magazine)

1 loaf large slice sandwich bread

1 jar peanut butter (your preference)

Strawberries

Bananas

Trim the crusts off the bread and spread each one with peanut butter. Slice the bananas lengthwise into strips slightly shorter than the longest edge of the bread and about 1/2" thick. Slice the strawberries into quarters.

Starting at the fruit side, roll the bread toward the other end to form a log, pressing gently. This works best with soft, fresh bread. Once pressed and holding together, slice into equal sections and serve with chopsticks. Chocolate syrup "soy sauce" can be served as an extra treat.

Twinkie Sushi Rolls

1 box individually wrapped classic Twinkies

1 box fruit sheets (Fruit Rollups, Fruit by the Foot)

Unwrap the Twinkies and wrap each one with a piece of fruit sheet to resemble nori. Slice into 3 equal sections.

Rice Krispie Nigiri

6 cups Rice Krispie cereal

1 bag mini marshmallows

4 tablespoons butter

Fruit Sheets

Swedish Fish

Melt the butter and marshmallows in a saucepan until smooth. Add cereal and stir until well coated and the mixture holds together. Spray hands with cooking spray or use a little butter to keep them moist and form the cereal mixture into small "rice balls" about 2" long and 1" thick. Wrap with fruit sheets or place a Swedish Fish on top of each one.

Dining Out for Sushi With Your Kids

If you choose to leave the sushi making to the professionals you don't have to leave the kids at home. Most sushi restaurants offer a variety of food choices, both sushi and other Japanese dishes that will satisfy the family.

For a sweet treat, try a sweet potato roll - the tempura battered sweet potato almost caramelizes for a dessert-style taste. Many menus feature a chicken tempura roll, which is basically white chicken meat wrapped in rice, perfect for chicken nugget fans.

The trick to sushi for kids is moderation, don't let them go overboard on the raw fish and you'll be doing well for their health and your wallet! Remember that sushi making can be fun for the whole family when you have a sushi night at home.