New WIC Food Package
Publicado el 2009-10-05 08:46:41 [0 comentarios]
Annemarie Beardsworth
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, RI
New WIC Food Package Offers Healthier Foods, More Options
After 35 years, the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program is changing its food package. Some 28,000 Rhode Island WIC participants will now have new food options from which to choose and have access to healthier food choices.
“Since WIC was established more than three decades ago, there have been significant strides made in knowledge about nutrition and healthy eating,” said WIC Chief Ann Barone. “WIC’s new food package will bring WIC up to date with current recommendations about what families should be eating to stay healthy.”
The new package aligns with the dietary guidelines for Americans and recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics. It also offers greater variety for cultural or personal food preferences, strengthens breastfeeding support for new mothers and provides more infant foods to meet a child’s changing nutritional needs.
The new food package allows for greater variety in several areas. WIC families will now be able to choose from a broad range of fresh fruits and vegetables (including green bananas, bok choy and bean sprouts), whole-grain foods (including breads, tortillas and brown rice), soy milk and tofu products.
To encourage healthier eating habits, the new food package promotes a diet lower in saturated fat and smaller amounts of juice. While foods like eggs, cheese and whole milk are still available to WIC clients, smaller amounts will encourage families to consume them in moderation.
For details about who qualifies for WIC, or for more information, visit http://www.health.ri.gov/family/wic or call 401-222-5960.
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