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Join WIC During Pregnancy

You Are Pregnant? Join WIC.

You just got the most exciting news: You are going to be a new mommy!

Your mind is already swirling. There is so much to do: announce the big news to friends and family, pick the perfect name, and find the perfect onesie to bring your baby home.  

Take a deep breath. You have roughly 9 months to get ready. 

Before you get ahead of yourself, some of the most important items on the ‘To-Do’ list will be how to take care of yourself and the growing baby inside your belly.  Once you become pregnant some of your most routine habits might need to be adjusted to keep you and your baby healthy.

Everything from your sleep and exercise habits to your morning cup of coffee should be examined to make sure they are safe during pregnancy. The most important advice for pregnant women is to visit your doctor as soon as you find out you are expecting and attend all scheduled visits up until delivery and immediately afterward. Always remember to talk to your doctor about any questions and concerns. 

WIC AND PREGNANCY

Expecting Texas mothers can also see if they qualify to become a WIC client. 

The WIC program is 100% free. It’s aimed to help pregnant and breastfeeding mothers get a healthy start for their infants and children up to age five. WIC recipients can take home free nutritious food such as fresh fruit and vegetables, milk, and even specialty formula to make sure you are getting your baby off to the healthiest start. Texas WIC also offers access to free nutritional classes and visits to WIC-approved clinics. To find a WIC Clinic near you, visit this site.

Your team of health professionals will provide individual guidance about how to maintain a healthy lifestyle for you and your baby, but here are some important tips to help get started along your healthy WIC pregnancy journey:

DIET, VITAMINS WHILE EXPECTING 

Expecting? Join WIC

Expecting? Join WIC

You are now eating for two. That doesn’t mean you eat twice as much as you did before you were pregnant. Discuss with your doctor your target calorie intake. Your daily calorie goal will vary based on your pre-pregnancy weight. There are, however, some guidelines that will apply to most pregnancies. It’s important to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables so your baby has all the right vitamins to grow. Pregnant women should eat a healthy mix of fruits, vegetables, dairy, and lean protein while avoiding calories loaded with extra fat and sugar. It’s important to get nutrients like iron, fiber, and calcium.

One of the most important nutrients you consume might be folic acid. Getting enough folic acid –  from the start of your pregnancy – has been proven to help prevent birth defects of the baby’s brain and spine. You can get folate from foods such as dark leafy greens like spinach, beans, lentils and whole-grain cereals and breads that are fortified with folic acid. It’s also often found in prenatal vitamins.

Pregnant women should NOT consume unpasteurized milk, cheese, or juice. Consuming undercooked meat, eggs or fish is also harmful.  Expected mothers should cook lunch meat or hot dogs until it steams before eating.

Pregnant women can eat fish low in mercury levels (up to 12 ounces) twice a week.  Fish that are safe to eat include shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, and catfish. However, Albacore tuna and tuna steak should be limited to more than 6 ounces per week. Eating fish high in mercury can be harmful to your baby.

Women should stop drinking alcoholic beverages and limit caffeine while pregnant.  Drinking alcohol can cause premature birth and birth defects. Too much much caffeine can cause low birth weight.

Pregnant mothers can replace their caffeine intake with water. Staying hydrated helps you and your baby. Also, don’t forget to take your prenatal vitamins daily. Your doctor can also recommend one that is right for you.

Texas WIC can also help you navigate how to eat right during pregnancy. You can also get your nutritious WIC foods at a JC Food Mart location.

SELF CARE DURING PREGNANCY

Being pregnant can be very stressful. The right self care (a healthy diet, being active, and getting enough rest) are tools you can discuss with your doctor to help make your pregnancy easier. 

If you exercised regularly before becoming pregnant, discuss any modifications that are needed with your doctor. If exercise wasn’t part of your daily routine, create a plan with your physician.  

The right amount of exercise might vary throughout your pregnancy, but getting the right mix of activity can help reduce stress and help you sleep better. It can also lower the risk of high blood pressure and diabetes. Consider going for a walk or taking a prenatal yoga class. 

TIPS FROM WIC ABOUT PREGNANCY on TexasWIC.org:

  1. Keep all of your clinic appointments and follow the advice of your doctor.
  2. Take prenatal vitamins and any medications your doctor gives you.
  3. Brush and floss your teeth regularly.
  4. Relax and get help from friends and family.

For more tips on how to be prepared for pregnancy, visit a Texas WIC office near you or sign up for a class by visiting  Texas WIC’s online classes.

To learn more about JC Food Mart, visit one of our locations today and find out just how easy it can be to shop for WIC foods.

 

 

By |2021-05-06T11:54:26-05:00March 26th, 2021|Categories: Child Health, Mom Health, Pregnancy, Texas WIC, WIC Nutrition|0 Comments
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Texas WIC Classes at Your Fingertips

As soon as your baby is born you’re expected to know everything about taking care of an infant. You have to learn how to nurse your baby and everything the little one is trying to communicate every time they cry.  There’s a lot to learn, but luckily Texas WIC offers a catalog of online classes for mothers. It’s all 100% free of charge.

If you are a Texas WIC client, taking the courses is part of the free program. It’s designed to help pregnant and breastfeeding mothers get a healthy start for their infants and children up to age 5. The program also offers access to its WIC clinics and provides free nutritional WIC-approved food.

Some of the classes are live during scheduled dates and times. Other classes are “Click and Learn” presentations.

Even if you aren’t part of Texas WIC, you can participate in some of the classes online. Topics range on everything from “What to Expect Year to Year,” “The Baby Blues and Postpartum Depression” and “Smart Snacks for Children”

There are even entertainment programs for kids. “A Dance Party with Zobey” allows you to be active with your child. It also encourages trying new foods that are all colors of the rainbow.

The WIC classes are an excellent resource to learn how to be a better parent and how to care for yourself. To find out if you qualify for Texas WIC, apply online or visit a WIC clinic.

By |2021-04-06T16:10:11-05:00March 24th, 2021|Categories: Uncategorized|0 Comments
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Tuna Melts: Easy Dinner With Healthy WIC Food

Tuna Melts: Easy Dinner With WIC Ingredients

Tuna packs a nutritional punch, and is a very healthy WIC food choice!

It offers protein, iron, vitamin D, vitamin B-12 and omega 3. If you are pregnant, you must eat tuna and other high mercury fish in moderation, but that doesn’t mean you have to completely avoid it.

Pregnant and nursing mothers may eat up to 12 ounces of canned light tuna or other low mercury fish a week.  Canned Albacore tuna has higher mercury so it is only advised to eat 6 ounces a week. It’s also important that tuna is fully cooked and not raw, health experts advise.

If you are pregnant, the omega-3 fatty acids in tuna also help your baby grow, especially in the development of your baby’s brain.

TEXAS WIC PROGRAM

TexasWIC is a special supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants and Children. To find out if you qualify, visit a San Antonio Area WIC Clinic. You can also look through our list of WIC-approved food products at the official J.C. Food Mart website.

HEALTHY WIC FOOD INSPIRED RECIPE 

There are plenty of ways to eat your weekly serving of tuna, whether it be a classic salad sandwich or wrap. The healthy WIC food recipe below makes for a great sandwich, or can be enjoyed plain. Here’s the recipe that uses WIC-inspired ingredients:

 

SKILLET TUNA PATTY MELTS

3 cans of tuna

4 potatoes, peeled

1 tomato, sliced

1/3 head of lettuce

1 avocado

Vegetable oil

Dash of salt, pepper

Boil potatoes until cracked. Mash potatoes. Drain 3 cans of tuna. Add tuna into the boil of mashed potatoes. Mix together. Add three eggs, dash of salt and pepper. Mix until combined. Form patties in your hand. Add oil to the pan. Cook patties on medium heat. Serve with lettuce, tomato and avocado.

Enjoy while hot!

By |2021-04-07T08:03:22-05:00March 24th, 2021|Categories: Recipes, Videos, WIC Food, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , |0 Comments
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Nutritionists “Personalize Your Plate” During March

You may have heard: It’s National Nutrition Month®!

The campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics helps create awareness throughout the month to help raise awareness to eat healthy and get active with “Personalize your Plate.” 

Among the tips are:

  1. Eat a variety of healthy foods every day.
  2. Plan your meals each week
  3. Learn skills to create tasty meals
  4. Consult a Registered Dietician Nutritionist when needed.

The organization has created a great website full of recipes, tips and guides for healthy eating in March in beyond. Their experts also offer great tips for expecting moms and mothers feeding babies and children. 

Here are a few resources from their website that are helpful to mothers, including tips on what to eat when expecting, how to make homemade baby food, how to read food labels and more:

https://www.eatright.org/health/pregnancy/what-to-eat-when-expecting

https://www.eatright.org/food/planning-and-prep/snack-and-meal-ideas/how-to-make-homemade-baby-food

https://www.eatright.org/food/nutrition/eating-as-a-family/tips-for-ordering-takeout-or-delivery

https://www.eatright.org/health/allergies-and-intolerances/food-allergies/reducing-the-risk-of-food-allergies

For more information about National Nutrition Month, visit: https://www.eatright.org/food/resources/national-nutrition-month

Here are a few Q&As about National Nutrition Month: https://www.eatright.org/food/resources/national-nutrition-month/most-asked-questions-about-national-nutrition-month

TEXAS WIC & NUTRITION

If you are needing nutrition help, Texas WIC is also a great FREE resource. The program is available to expecting and mothers of children up to age 5. It provides free nutrition counseling and education for mothers and babies, breastfeeding support and access to FREE WIC foods on a monthly basis. To apply, visit Texaswic.org for more information. 

 

By |2021-04-06T16:07:38-05:00March 22nd, 2021|Categories: Child Health, Mom Health, WIC Nutrition|Tags: |0 Comments
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Baby Cereal Pancakes

1 cup white flour or 1 cup whole wheat flour

1⁄2 cup baby cereal (any kind)

1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons raw sugar or 2 teaspoons white sugar or 2 teaspoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 egg

1 tablespoon melted butter or 1 tablespoon oil

1 tablespoon baby food (any fruit)

1 cup apple juice (or formula – enough to make batter the consistency you want) or 1 cup water (or formula – enough to make batter the consistency you want)

Combine all ingredients, adding enough liquid for the batter to get to the consistency you want. Spray the pan (or add oil or butter) and cook one side until you see bubbles.  Flip and cook the other side.

By |2021-04-06T16:11:18-05:00January 5th, 2021|Categories: Baby Food, Recipes|Tags: |0 Comments
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Tips For A Successful Thanksgiving 2020

There isn’t anything typical about 2020. Thanksgiving won’t be either. It might even be better than normal. 

Health officials are also urging us to change how we celebrate Thanksgiving. Instead of large family gatherings, opt for a feast with just your household, they advise.

So maybe you won’t be traveling to grandma’s house this year, but you can still have some of your family traditions – even if it is smaller scale. Maybe you will even find a few new favorites to be thankful for this year. 

The change of plans might mean you are preparing a bird and all the trimmings for the first time. Here are a few of our best tips if you are preparing a feast this year: 

COOKING THE BIRD

There is no shortage of tips and tricks to cook a turkey, but the USDA has put all the essential information in one place. They cover how to select your turkey, how to defrost your bird, how to cook and store leftovers. All the details are on their website.

SHOP SAFE

Plan and shop safely. If you are a WIC client, get as much as you can from a primarily WIC grocery store, like JC Food Mart.  You will likely be in-and-out in no time. You won’t have to spend extra time searching for WIC-approved items among all those that aren’t. Also, make a list of the items you need. It will also be helpful when you start planning your dinner. Don’t forget to wear a mask.

PLAN YOUR  MEAL

When it comes to preparing Thanksgiving dinner – no matter how big or small – preparation is everything. 

  • Review your recipes. Make sure you have a well-balanced meal that incorporates healthy fruits and vegetables.  If you are looking for recipe inspiration, visit the collection at Texas WIC.  There you can find great and healthy side dishes and desserts like apple crisp, cauliflower with lemon, citrus glazed carrots, fruit salad and roasted sweet potatoes. 
  • Keep it simple. One of the main themes of Thanksgiving Day 2020 is to keep it small. Even though we might miss spending the day with our extended family and friends, having a smaller gathering might also be less stressful. Keep your menu simple and well balanced too.
  •  Also, don’t forget about the leftovers. Texas WIC also has a few great recipes to help use up your leftover poultry: chicken and rice casserole and chicken tortilla soup.

 

FUN FOR THE KIDS

This may be the perfect year to incorporate a few new family traditions. Here are a few ideas to consider: 

  1. Let your kids help prepare a side or take part in the cooking. Of course, what they help prepare will depend on their age. Younger children can help make a side with your supervision. Toddlers can make crafts to decorate the table. Some fun ideas include turkeys made by tracing your hand. 
  2. Older kids can also be in charge of setting up a group phone call with extended family and friends. You can FaceTime from an iPhone or Zoom, which is free for group calling (up to 100 people) for 40 minutes or less. Both options are free of charge.
  3. Everyone in the family can help prepare a side dish or help you research how to cook a bird online. It’s also a fun family tradition to tell others why you are thankful. You can write notecards for the table or take turns sharing a few words before you eat. 
  4. Don’t forget to rest and have FUN!
By |2022-08-17T14:15:20-05:00November 25th, 2020|Categories: WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping|0 Comments
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