Hello salads, lean proteins, whole grains, and dairy products!
With recent news of the the decline in obesity in preschool and kindergarten-aged children, and the push for clearer nutritional labels on food packaging, the future looks much healthier for all Americans. And now, the government-funded WIC program (which stands for for Women, Infants and Children) is getting on board, too, by adding healthier options to their food choices.
Recipients now have access to nutritious fare such as fresh, canned and frozen fruits and vegetables; yogurts; whole grain breads and pastas; as well as a tofu option for vegetarians; the USDA announced.
MORE: This Simple Idea Could Decrease Premature Births By a Third. So Why Aren’t We Doing It?
The WIC program was started in 1974 as a way for low-income woman and their children to have access to food — feeding more than half of newborn babies in the United States. Three decades later, it’s been given a much-needed overhaul. “The updates to the WIC food package make pivotal improvements to the program and better meet the diverse nutritional needs of mothers and their young children,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a USDA news release. “The foods provided by the WIC program, along with education that focuses on the critical role of breastfeeding and proper nutrition, help to ensure that every American child has the opportunity to grow up healthy and strong.”
Sounds like a recipe for healthy living to us.