Nutrition program helps families afford healthy foods
Connecticut women who meet income guidelines and need help providing their children with nutrient-rich foods can turn to the Hospital of Saint Raphael and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). Saint Raphael’s coordinates the New Haven WIC Program, which consists of four full-time WIC offices: at Saint Raphael’s, Yale-New Haven Hospital, the Hill Health Center and the Fair Haven Community Health Center. There are also satellite offices in Branford, Hamden, Milford and West Haven.
WIC serves infants, children up to 5 years of age, and pregnant, postpartum and breast-feeding women. Applicants are evaluated for both financial need and nutritional risk, classified as a medical or diet-based condition. Financial guidelines are based on the household’s gross income and family size: A family of four with a gross annual salary of $41,348 or less is financially eligible. Those participating in programs like SNAP (formerly Food Stamps), Temporary Family Assistance or HUSKY A / Medicaid are automatically income-eligible.
The federally funded WIC program provides pregnant women, nursing mothers and young children with checks that can be used at authorized grocery stores. The program subsidizes nutrient-rich food like milk, cheese, eggs, fruit juice, dried beans and peas, peanut butter, cereals, fruits, vegetables, brown rice and whole grain bread products, as well as infant formula and jarred baby foods.
“The addition of fruits, vegetables and whole grains to the WIC package in recent years has further improved a program that is a proven success and has had a significant positive impact on mothers and children in the Greater New Haven area,” said Mary Chervenak, Director of the New Haven WIC Program. “In addition to providing healthy food, the WIC program employs nutritionists who help mothers learn about how vital a balanced diet is during pregnancy, breastfeeding and childhood.”
WIC serves all 169 communities in Connecticut. The New Haven WIC program is the largest in the state, and serves more than 10,000 clients in the Greater New Haven area. For more information, call 203-789-3563. Saint Raphael’s offers Saturday hours for the convenience of clients.
Heart Healthy Grilling with Plant-Based Proteins
From fine china at a five star restaurant to a paper plate at a backyard bar-b-que, selecting a variety of healthy foods for every meal is the foundation of a good diet. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently unveiled a new icon to help people plan healthier diets – MyPlate. The new icon focuses on filling half of your plate with fruits and vegetables and then filling the other half with healthy grains and lean proteins. The USDA’s ChooseMyPlate.gov site encourages consumers to select a variety of proteins including plant-based proteins such as soy.
“Soy is a healthy choice that more people are trying out – whether it’s for a ‘Meatless Monday’ tradition or as a part of a vegetarian diet,” said Simon Lusky, research chef at Solae, LLC. “It is a source of high-quality protein and is low in saturated fat. You can find products with soy protein in any grocery store – and the prices are comparable to meat products.”
A recent International Food Information Council survey on Functional Foods showed that 46 percent of consumers are concerned about cardiovascular disease – and that 65 percent of consumers are aware of soy’s heart health benefits. Soy protein has been clinically proven to lower cholesterol. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s authorized health claim for soy protein says: “25 grams of soy protein a day, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease.” One soy burger can provide up to 10 grams of protein or more.
“Summertime is the season for grilling and cook-outs. It’s a great time to experiment with soy protein while still serving your family their favorite meals,” said Lusky. “Many soy protein products – such as Match® meats – cook in the same way as ground beef and turkey. Soy protein is extremely versatile so you’re able to take your family’s favorite burger recipe – and increase the heart health benefits of the meal with using soy – and it will still taste delicious.”
A variety of soy protein products for grilling are available in grocery stores. The food ingredients label will say “textured soy protein” or “isolated soy protein.”
“A number of products are available to choose from – whether you’re in the mood for a hot dog or a hamburger,” said Lusky. “Pre-made burgers are available for a fast healthy dinner, but you can also buy mixtures that mimic the texture and function of ground meats.”
Lusky says you can develop a burger that’s half ground meat and half soy protein if you want to reduce the saturated fat in your meal.
“It is important to follow the same food safety rules when you’re grilling with soy protein,” said Lusky. “You won’t have the pink color of the meat to use as a guide, so be sure to cook until the internal temperature of the burger is at 155 F.”
10 foods that may be healthier than you think
Avocado
So it may seem weird for a fruit to contain fat, but avocados are one of the few produce items that do. The heart-protecting monounsaturated-fat content is actually one of the things that make them so healthy.
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Thanks to the iron and protein from the beef, lycopene from the tomato sauce and energy-producing carbs from the pasta, this dish a healthy trifecta. If you stick to modest portions and lean beef, you can enjoy its benefits without overdoing it.
Bananas
Often bashed for their high sugar and carb content, bananas are a ridiculously healthy fruit that everyone can enjoy. A medium banana has roughly the same calories (100) as a medium apple.
Peanut Butter
Peanut butter may indeed contain fat, but 30 percent of your daily calories should come from healthy fats, for which peanut butter is a great choice. The nutty spread is also a good way to get protein, fiber and vitamin E.
Coffee
Along with adding a little pep to your step, coffee is teeming with antioxidants. Research has linked drinking the brewed beverage to a decreased risk of type-2 diabetes and improved mental health as you age.
Burritos
Burritos can be a healthy choice: When filled with vegetables, rice, beans and small portions of meat, these Tex-Mex treats can cover all your nutrition bases in one tortilla.
Chicken Thighs
Dark-meat chicken has a bad rep for being fatty and artery-clogging, but it is actually the skin you should be avoiding. Dark meat, like avocados, is high in healthy monounsaturated fats.
Eggs
Eggs contain some cholesterol, but that doesn’t mean they’re a total no-no. According to the American Egg Board, healthy individuals can eat up to two eggs per day without significantly affecting blood-cholesterol levels.
Potatoes
Potatoes are a nutrition powerhouse! A medium potato has 165 calories, 5 grams of fiber, 4 grams of protein, 10 percent of your daily iron and 70 percent of your daily vitamin C needs.
Corn
Some folks frown on corn because it’s a starchy vegetable. Well, it is starchy — because it’s actually a grain! One cup of corn kernels has 5 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber (that’s more than 25 percent of the daily recommendation) and energy-producing B-vitamins.
