Nutrition

Working on the health of your family? WIC can help!

The Ohio WIC program can help you and your family achieve the best health possible. WIC health professionals are knowledgeable and care about the health of your family. Below are some tips on nutrition, fitness and other services offered by the WIC clinic in your area.

Nutrition:

Stock up on a variety of healthy foods. Let your family members choose a snack that sounds good to them from what is offered.
Eat together as a family. Talk and enjoy each other’s company rather than sitting in front of the television.
Don’t give up!. It is important to offer your child a new food several times before he/she may choose to like it.
Talk to your WIC health professional about portion sizes and foods that are right for your child at his/her current stage of life.
Visit your local WIC clinic for healthy foods and recipe ideas.

Fitness:

Set a good example. Make fitness an important part of your life. Show your children that being active is fun and rewarding.
It is important to limit television and video games. Encourage everyone to play outside, jump rope or start a neighborhood game of kickball.
Provide fun, active options to your children. Help him/her want to get outside, run around and create his/her own games. Make fitness fun!.
Reward good behavior with fitness activities. Take your family to the park, for a walk at the zoo or a swim at a local pool.
Seek family activities as a healthy way to spend time together. Walk to the library, throw a Frisbee or fly a kite. Plan for an afternoon biking adventure including healthy snacks.
Winter doesn’t mean we have to say goodbye to physical activity. Bundle up for fitness fun while ice skating, sledding or having a snowball fight!.

Other WIC Services:

The WIC Program can refer you to other important health services in your community. Here are a few:

Immunizations - http://www.odh.ohio.gov/odhPrograms/idc/immunize/immindex1.aspx

2. Not a Single Drop - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) initiative -

http://www.notasingledrop.org

3. Help Me Grow -

http://www.ohiohelpmegrow.org/

4. Lead Testing -

http://www.odh.ohio.gov/odhPrograms/cfhs/lead_ch/leadch1.aspx

5. Physicians, dentists and other medical care

If you or your children qualify for the WIC program, WIC staff will check the height, weight and blood iron of your children and you about every six months. This can help you keep an eye on your health.
WIC offers strong support, information and assistance for breastfeeding mothers. Click below for information about breastfeeding.

http://www.odh.ohio.gov/odhPrograms/ns/wicn/breastfeeding.aspx

Last Updated: 2/13/07

WIC Nutrition Program / Links