WIC Foods and Nutrition

WIC Foods and Nutrition

 

Get the nutrients you and your family need.

 

The foods in your monthly WIC food package will change as your needs change and your child grows.

Get Variety with Your WIC Foods

Your food package includes foods from this list.
 

Fruits, Vegetables and Juice

  • Fresh, frozen and canned fruits and vegetables
  • Vitamin C-rich 100% fruit or vegetable juices

Whole Grains

  • Whole wheat bread
  • Corn or whole wheat tortillas 
  • Brown rice
  • Oatmeal
  • Whole wheat pasta

Dairy and Dairy Alternatives

  • Fat-free and low-fat (1%) milk for women and children 2 to 5 years
  • Whole milk for children 12 to 24 months
  • Cheese
  • Yogurt
  • Kosher milk and cheese
  • Soy milk
  • Tofu

Protein Foods

  • Eggs
  • Dry beans, split peas or lentils
  • Canned beans
  • Peanut butter
  • Canned fish for fully breastfeeding women

Cereal

  • Iron-fortified and low in sugar
  • Whole grain and gluten-free choices

Baby Foods

  • Baby cereal
  • Baby food fruits and vegetables
  • Baby food meats for fully breastfeeding babies
  • Formula*

*WIC is committed to helping mothers reach their breastfeeding goals. Starting or increasing formula can decrease your breastmilk supply. If you need help to maintain your supply, please talk to someone from your local WIC office or call the free 24/7 Texas Lactation Support Hotline at 855-550-6667.

WIC Food Packages

  • plus sign minus sign Pregnant Women’s Monthly Food Package

    read below for food package contents

    • Cereal: 36 ounces
    • Whole grains: 1 pound
    • Fruits and vegetables: $47.00
    • Juice: 144 ounces (3 - 12 ounce frozen or 48 fluid ounces)
    • Low-fat or fat-free milk: 4.5 gallons
    • Yogurt or low-fat or fat-free milk: 1 quart
    • Cheese: 1 pound
    • Eggs: 1 dozen
    • Beans and peanut butter: 1 pound dry or 4 cans and peanut butter 16- to 18- ounce jar
  • plus sign minus sign Fully Breastfeeding Monthly Food Package

    This food package is the largest and does not contain any formula. Moms and babies can get this food package until baby’s first birthday.

    You will receive breastfeeding support throughout your baby’s first year. WIC and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend you feed your baby only breastmilk for the first 6 months of life. When your baby is around 6 months old, introduce solid foods and continue to breastfeed for 2 years or longer, as desired.   

    Food Package for Women

    read below for food package contents

    • Cereal: 36 ounces
    • Whole grains: 1 pound
    • Fruits and vegetables: $52.00
    • Juice: 144 ounces (3 - 12-ounce frozen or 48 fluid ounces)
    • Low-fat or fat-free milk: 5 gallons
    • Yogurt or low-fat or fat-free milk: 1 quart
    • Cheese: 2 pounds
    • Eggs: 2 dozen
    • Beans and peanut butter: 1 pound dry or 4 cans and 16- to 18- ounce jar of peanut butter
    • Canned tuna, salmon, sardines and mackerel: 30 ounces

     

    Women who are fully breastfeeding multiples (twins, triplets, etc.) will get 1.5 times the amount of food in the fully breastfeeding package.

    Food Package for Infants

    read below for food package contents

    When your baby is age 0-5 months:

    • The best and only food source your baby needs during this time is your breastmilk.

    When your baby is age 6-11 months:

    • Infant cereal: 24 ounces 
    • Baby fruits/vegetables: 64 containers, 4 ounces each
    • Baby food meats: 31 containers, 2.5 ounces each
  • plus sign minus sign Partially Breastfeeding Monthly Food Package

    This package is for families who are feeding both breastmilk and formula. It contains less food than the fully breastfeeding food package but more than the formula feeding package, and it includes some formula. The amount of formula will vary depending on your baby’s needs and age. Moms and babies can get this package until baby’s first birthday.
     
    As a WIC mom, you will receive breastfeeding support throughout your baby’s first year.

    Food Package for Women

    read below for food package contents

    • Cereal: 36 ounces
    • Whole grains: 1 pound
    • Fruits and vegetables: $52.00
    • Juice: 144 ounces (3 - 12-ounce frozen or 48 fluid ounces)
    • Low-fat or fat-free milk: 4.5 gallons
    • Yogurt or low-fat or fat-free milk: 1 quart
    • Cheese: 1 pound
    • Eggs: 1 dozen
    • Beans and peanut butter: 1 pound dry or 4 cans and 16- to 18- ounce jar of peanut butter

    Food Package for Infants

    read below for food package contents

    Breastfeed when you and your baby are together.

    When your baby is age 0-1 month

    • Formula: 1 can of 12.5-ounce powder formula.

    When your baby is age 1-3 months

    • Formula: up to 4 cans of 12.5-ounce powder*  

    When your baby is age 4-5 months

    • Formula: up to 5 cans of 12.5 ounce powder*  

    When your baby is age 6-11 months

    • Formula: up to 4 cans of 12.5 ounce powder*
    • Infant cereal: 24 ounces (8 ounce or 16 ounce containers)
    • Baby food fruits and vegetables: 32 containers, 4 ounces each

    *All formula amounts are approximate and may vary based on type and can size

  • plus sign minus sign Formula Feeding Monthly Food Package (also includes some breastfeeding)

    This package is for families who are feeding mostly formula with some breastfeeding or only formula. It includes more formula than the partially breastfeeding package, but not all the formula your baby may need. Moms who choose this package will receive foods for the first 6 months after baby is born. 

    If you choose this package, your baby will receive the following foods throughout the first year. You will receive foods for yourself only during the first 6 months.

    As a WIC mom, you will receive breastfeeding support throughout your baby’s first year.

    Food Package for Women

    read below for food package contents

    • Cereal: 36 ounces
    • Fruits and vegetables: $47.00
    • Juice: 96 ounces (2 - 12-ounce frozen or 48 fluid ounces)
    • Low-fat or fat-free milk: 3 gallons
    • Yogurt or low-fat or fat-free milk: 1 quart
    • Cheese: 1 pound
    • Eggs: 1 dozen
    • Beans or peanut butter: 1 pound dry or 4 cans or peanut butter 16- to 18- ounce jar

    The Formula Feeding food package provides these foods for six months after your baby is born. Moms who choose the Fully or Partially Breastfeeding food packages will receive more food for one full year.

    Food Package for Infants

    Breastfeed when you and your baby are together.

    When your baby is age 0-3 months

    • Formula: up to 9 cans of 12.5-ounce powder*

    When your baby is age 4-5 months

    • Formula: up to 10 cans of 12.5-ounce powder*

    When your baby is age 6-11 months

    • Formula: up to 7 cans - 12.5-ounce powder*
    • Infant cereal: 24 ounces
    • Baby food fruits and vegetables: 32 containers, 4 ounces each

    *All formula amounts are approximate and may vary based on type and can size

  • plus sign minus sign Children’s Monthly Food Package

    read below for food package contents

    • Cereal: 36 ounces
    • Whole grains: 2 pounds
    • Fruits and vegetables: $26.00
    • Juice: 128 ounces (2 - 16 ounce frozen or 64 fluid ounces)
    • Milk: 3 gallons*
    • Yogurt or milk: 1 quart*
    • Cheese: 1 pound
    • Eggs: 1 dozen
    • Beans or peanut butter: 1 pound dry or 4 cans or peanut butter 16- to 18- ounce jar

    *One-year-old children get whole milk and whole milk yogurt. Children 2-5 years old get low-fat or fat-free milk and yogurt.

Nutritional Benefits of WIC Foods

Fruits and Vegetables: More is better

Fruits and vegetables are packed full of vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients that promote good health.

Eating fruits and vegetables can help your family:

  1. Achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
  2. Reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and some types of cancer.
  3. Build immunity to fight off the common cold and other illnesses

Whole Grains: Make half your grains whole grains

Foods made from wheat, rice, oats or corn are considered grain products. Refined grains, like white bread and white rice, go through processing that removes important nutrients like fiber, iron and many B vitamins. 
 
Whole grains are healthier than refined grains because they have the entire grain kernel and keep all the healthy nutrients like fiber. Eating whole grains can help your family:

  1. Achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
  2. Lower your risk of heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers.
  3. Reduce constipation and improve digestive health.

Dairy Products: Strong bodies need strong bones

Milk products are a great source of calcium, vitamin D and other nutrients needed for strong bones and overall health.
 
Low-fat (1%) and fat-free milk provide the same nutrients found in whole and 2% milk, but with less fat. Consuming lower-fat dairy products can help:

  1. Lower cholesterol.
  2. Lower risk of heart disease and stroke.
  3. Reduce weight or stay at a healthy weight.

Protein: Choose a variety

Proteins such as lean meat, beans, eggs and fish help your family grow and maintain healthy tissues. Many of these foods also have iron which helps carry oxygen in the blood and prevent anemia.
 
Getting enough protein in the diet is important to help you and your children stay energized. Beans, peas and peanut butter are good sources of plant protein and iron. Fish such as salmon and tuna contain healthy oils called omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for heart health.

Let's get cooking

Let’s get cooking!

For recipes featuring WIC foods, check out our recipes section.


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