During National Nutrition Month 2011 and Beyond, DHH Encourages Louisianians to Focus on Healthy Eating
Health department provides nutrition information and healthy foods
to at-risk residents

Tuesday, March 29, 2010  |  Contact: Lisa R. Faust; (225) 342-7913 or (225) 252-3579 (cell)

BATON ROUGE - Each March, during National Nutrition Month, the American Dietetic Association reminds Americans to focus on the importance of healthy eating. The 2011 campaign, "Eat Right with Color," encourages consumers to include a colorful variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and dairy on their plates every day. One way eligible women and children can make healthier choices is to obtain nutritional information and guidance through the Department of Health and Hospitals' Women Infants and Children program (WIC).

The WIC program provides supplemental foods, health care referrals and nutrition education at no charge for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, as well as to infants and children up to age 5 who are found to be at nutritional risk.

"The lessons we teach in WIC can be applied across our residents. We can all benefit from incorporating more fruits and vegetables into each meal," said DHH Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein. "Nutritious food can be both healthy and delicious, but most importantly, it has the potential to improve our health and the quality of our lives. I encourage every Louisianian to spend time in their local markets and try the fresh fruits and vegetables grown in our very own state."

WIC foods include infant cereal, iron-fortified adult cereal, vitamin C-rich fruit or vegetable juice, eggs, milk, cheese, peanut butter, dried and canned beans/peas and canned fish. To further enhance nutrition options for women and children receiving WIC services, soy-based beverages, fresh fruits and vegetables, baby foods, whole-wheat bread and brown rice were added to the WIC package.

The recently-released 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend an increased focus on a plant-based diet, and encouraged parents and children alike to fill half of every plate with fruits and vegetables. This combined with including lean meats, fish and poultry, and low-fat milk and dairy products creates a rainbow of colors on the plate that serve as a strong foundation for a healthy eating plan.

"We understand some women struggle to get proper nutrition and healthy food for themselves and their children," said Denise Harris, Chief of Nutrition Services, DHH Office of Public Health. "But, good nutrition is especially essential for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and young children. During National Nutrition Month, we want to remind Louisiana residents that they may apply for the WIC program in order to receive nutrition assistance and learn more about what types of foods they should eat so they can create healthy diet plans for themselves and their children."

Statewide, WIC staff has also been promoting the "Eat Right with Color" health message to WIC participants and the general public throughout the month of March.

WIC also recognizes and promotes breastfeeding as the optimal source of nutrition for infants, as it provides many health, nutritional, economical and emotional benefits to both mothers and babies. Since a major goal of the WIC Program is to improve the nutritional status of infants, WIC mothers are encouraged to breastfeed their infants. WIC mothers choosing to breastfeed are provided information through counseling and breastfeeding educational materials, and breastfeeding mothers are eligible to participate in WIC longer than non-breastfeeding mothers. Mothers who exclusively breastfeed their infants also receive an enhanced food package.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) established WIC as a pilot program in 1972 to improve the nutrition status and general health of women, infants and children, and it was made permanent in 1974. Eligibility is based on family size, income and nutrition risk.

For more information on how to apply for the WIC Program in Louisiana or to find a WIC clinic in your area please visit www.wic.dhh.louisiana.gov or call 1-800-251-BABY.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals strives to protect and promote health statewide and to ensure access to medical, preventive and rehabilitative services for all state citizens. To learn more about DHH, visit http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov. For up-to-date health information, news and emergency updates, follow DHH's blog, Twitter account and Facebook page.