GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) – This National Nutrition Month, a Mesa County program is aiming to make healthy foods more accessible to locals.
The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program in Mesa County provides nutrition resources, nutrition education and breastfeeding support for pregnant women, postpartum mothers and children up to age 5, according to WIC Dietitian Supervisor Kathleen Larson.
Who qualifies
WIC is available in every county in the United States. In Mesa County, residents must live within the county to qualify. The program uses income brackets to determine eligibility, but residents on Medicaid automatically qualify. Those who do not receive Medicaid can contact the program to determine eligibility.
New additions
Larson said the program added about 18 new cereal options beginning March 1. Updates also include whole-grain additions such as quinoa, a variety of herb options, and more plant-based milk alternatives and seed butters to accommodate food allergies.
Cereal cups recipe
Larson demonstrated a three-ingredient cereal cup recipe using WIC-approved foods. The recipe uses crushed whole grain cereal, an egg white and a tablespoon of melted butter.
To prepare, crush approximately two cups of cereal.Mix with the egg white and melted butter until moist. Scoop the mixture into a muffin tin, filling each cup halfway and shaping it into a small bowl. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 10 minutes. The cups can be filled with toppings such as peanut butter, yogurt, fruit, eggs or applesauce.
Larson said involving children in meal preparation, including crushing and stirring, can help with selective eating by making unfamiliar foods less intimidating.
How to contact WIC
Residents can visit the Mesa County Public Health here or call the program directly for more information or to determine eligibility.
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