Nutrition education is one of the core benefits of the WIC Program. Every WIC appointment is an opportunity to provide personalized support, answer questions, and help families make informed decisions about nutrition, feeding, and healthy lifestyles.
Whether expecting a baby, caring for an infant, or raising a young child, WIC nutrition education is designed to support families at every stage. Rather than telling families what to do, WIC staff work with each family to understand their unique needs, recognize their strengths, and provide practical information for everyday life.
What Can WIC Nutrition Education Help With?
Our nutritionists and trained WIC staff can provide guidance on topics such as:
- Healthy eating during pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding support before and after the baby is born
- Formula feeding and safe formula preparation
- Introducing solid foods
- Feeding toddlers and preschool-aged children
- Picky eating and mealtime strategies
- Building healthy eating habits for the whole family
- Reading food labels and making healthy food choices
- Physical activity and healthy lifestyles
- Food allergies and special dietary needs
- Accessing community resources and support services
Personalized Support
Every family is unique. During WIC appointments, families have the opportunity to talk one-on-one with a nutrition professional who can answer questions and help set goals that fit their needs, culture, budget, and lifestyle.
Nutrition education is participant-centered, meaning concerns and priorities guide the conversation. Whether there is a specific question or a need for reassurance, WIC staff are here to provide support.
Learn in the Way that Works Best
WIC offers nutrition education through a variety of convenient options, including:
- Individual appointments with WIC staff
- Online nutrition education (ONE Platform)
- ONE is an online nutrition education platform that offers visual tools, articles, recipes, and nutrition-based lessons. Participants can create a free account and access this on their own time, and staff can use during appointments to encourage discussion and engagement.
- Educational videos and interactive lessons
- Handouts and recipes
- Referrals to additional community resources
WIC staff will work with each family to determine which education option best meets their needs.
More than Healthy Foods
While WIC is well known for providing healthy foods, nutrition education helps families make the most of those foods. Research has shown that WIC participation is associated with:
- Healthier pregnancies and improved birth outcomes
- Increased breastfeeding initiation and duration
- Improved infant and child nutrition
- Healthier growth and development
- Better dietary quality for children and families
By combining healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to health and community services, WIC helps families build healthy habits that can last a lifetime.
We're Here to Help
No question is too small. Whether wondering what to feed a picky eater, how to introduce new foods, or how to support a healthy pregnancy, the WIC team is here to help.
Nutrition education is included as part of WIC benefits and is available throughout participation in the program. WIC looks forward to partnering with families on their journey to better health.