Medina County Health Department provides supplement nutrition programs
MEDINA – Good nutrition is especially important for infants, toddlers and young children, as they need various vitamins and minerals in balanced proportions to help their bodies and minds develop and mature. Giving a child a healthy and balanced diet, especially during prenatal growth, will help create good nutrition habits for the future.
Every child’s diet should contain healthy amounts of carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Here are a few reasons why:
Bone is a living and growing issue and the best time to build bones is during early childhood. Make sure a child’s diet includes calcium and vitamin D rich foods such as milk, cheese, and yogurt.
Muscle development is crucial to support a child’s physical activity. Include plenty of protein in their diet to build and repair muscle tissues. Protein is found in lean meats (such as chicken), eggs, cheese, milk, nuts, and legumes (beans).
Think of food as a child’s fuel for learning and play. The main source of this fuel comes from carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates not only provide him/her with energy, but also fiber, vitamins and minerals. Good examples include cereals (preferably the whole grain variety), rice, bread, oats, noodles, and pasta.
Supplemental nutrition programs like the Medina County Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program can help. Family households at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level can receive nutrition education, breastfeeding education and supports, supplemental foods, and referrals to other community resources. Qualifying participants include pregnant women, breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding moms, infants, and children up to age 5 who meet the following (newly expanded) income guidelines: family size 1, annual income $22,311; 2, $30,044; 3, $37,777; 4, $45,510; 5, $53,243; 6, $60,976; 7, $68,709; 8, $76,442. A pregnant woman counts as more than one family member. If currently receiving Medicaid, Food Stamps, or Ohio Works First, automatically the income eligibility is met for WIC.
Every child’s diet should contain healthy amounts of carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Here are a few reasons why:
Bone is a living and growing issue and the best time to build bones is during early childhood. Make sure a child’s diet includes calcium and vitamin D rich foods such as milk, cheese, and yogurt.
Muscle development is crucial to support a child’s physical activity. Include plenty of protein in their diet to build and repair muscle tissues. Protein is found in lean meats (such as chicken), eggs, cheese, milk, nuts, and legumes (beans).
Think of food as a child’s fuel for learning and play. The main source of this fuel comes from carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates not only provide him/her with energy, but also fiber, vitamins and minerals. Good examples include cereals (preferably the whole grain variety), rice, bread, oats, noodles, and pasta.
Supplemental nutrition programs like the Medina County Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program can help. Family households at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level can receive nutrition education, breastfeeding education and supports, supplemental foods, and referrals to other community resources. Qualifying participants include pregnant women, breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding moms, infants, and children up to age 5 who meet the following (newly expanded) income guidelines: family size 1, annual income $22,311; 2, $30,044; 3, $37,777; 4, $45,510; 5, $53,243; 6, $60,976; 7, $68,709; 8, $76,442. A pregnant woman counts as more than one family member. If currently receiving Medicaid, Food Stamps, or Ohio Works First, automatically the income eligibility is met for WIC.
