that WIC provide a dairy and soy free package.
First, I would like to say how much our family appreciates what the WIC program has provided for us over the last year. Without this service, our family would be missing out on the vital nutrition that is needed to raise healthy children.
Next I would like to address my suggestion of a dairy and soy free package option. A few weeks after our daughter was born, we she started showing signs of skin allergies and sensitivity. As the days past, it got worse and she was diagnosed with eczema. A month after she was diagnosed with eczema, we found blood in her stool. This would happen often. Before she would pass her stool, she would have periods where we could not console her as she cried hysterically for about an hour. Once we saw these bloody stools, we contacted our Pediatrician right away and were seen. Her stool was tested and after a month of doctors visits it was suggested that she had a sensitivity to dairy and soy. It came to a surprise to us that 30% of children that have a dairy allergy also have a soy allergy as our daughter does.
Before our daughter was born, we knew that breastfeeding was the first option for us. This had not changed after her diagnosis. I have avoided dairy and soy since she was 2-3 months old. In order to receive my daily calcium intake, I have had to buy almond milk which runs about $3.00 for half a gallon. This means that the cow's milk that is provided through WIC, along with the cheese and bread are of little benefit. The everyday consumer would be surprised at the various products that have dairy and soy in them. For example, all of the tuna products that are a WIC option have soy in them. The majority of the adult and infant cereal options have both dairy and soy ingredients.
I have addressed this concern with my WIC counselor several times, and she said that there are several families in our small area that are affected by this food sensitivity. She stated that it would be best to contact WIC directly as they can not do anything on the local level. With food allergies on the rise in children, we implore you to provide a dairy and soy free option to help out those who are in need of it.
Thank you for your service and help!
Thank you for your feedback concerning dairy and soy free options in WIC. You have done a great job learning about allergies and are an expert label reader!
Milk and soymilk alternatives such as almond milk or rice milk are not WIC eligible as they are not fortified to nutrient standards required by the program at the national level. Action at the federal level is required to make changes in the WIC nutrition standards.
The Arizona WIC Program offers several dairy and soy free cereals such as Cheerios, Rice Krispies, Corn Chex, and Quaker Instant Oatmeal. WIC also offers a variety of other whole grain products that are soy and dairy free such as brown rice and corn tortillas. Although most canned tuna fish does contain soy, often the canned pink salmon lists only “salmon and salt” as ingredients. Also, WIC approves “any brand” for all canned fish so tuna without soy can be purchased with your WIC benefits when available.
WIC does provide supplemental formulas for children with allergies (including cow’s milk and soy), including Neocate Junior and Elecare Junior that may benefit your daughter. These can be given with a doctor’s prescription to ensure balanced nutrition in allergy cases.
Your Local WIC Agency offers counseling with a High Risk Nutritionist for children with allergies or other nutritional conditions that may require special tailoring of the WIC foods. If you have not yet seen the High Risk Nutritionist at your WIC clinic, you might ask about that opportunity during your next appointment.