Healthier WIC Offerings

For the first time in 35 years, the US government program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is getting new nutrition guidelines. BRAVO!

New foods being offered include:

• whole wheat and whole grain breads
• brown rice
• tofu
• canned beans
• more fresh fruits and vegetables
• reduced fat milk

Previously, juice and whole milk were staples in the WIC program. Now the amount of juice is limited and fresh whole fruits are encouraged instead. In addition, women will be able to purchase low fat milk instead of the whole milk previously used.

These changes will help women to feed their children healthier foods and start them at a younger age getting used to whole grains and lower fat foods. The childhood obesity epidemic has been getting worse in recent years, and new guidelines for WIC are one way to try to offer healthier options to combat this problem.

More than 8.2 Million people get WIC benefits each month, and of those 4.3 Million are children, 2.2 Million are infants, and 2.1 Million are women. Other food available through WIC are iron-fortified cereals, cheese, eggs, peanut butter, dried beans/peas, and canned fish.

Check out the USDA's site for WIC for more information on eligibility and guidelines for the WIC program.