Don't Skimp on Kid's Nutrition
Becky Edvalson, an Albany mother of two... knows how important nutrition is for her children.... she also knows how expensive it is. baby formula runs around 20 dollars a can. Pretty pricey when you have two children... that's why Edvalson wasn't surprised to hear national reports of a mother in Florida who-- to save money in these tough times--was diluting her baby's formula.
Ginny Parsons, a Registered Dietitian with WIC/Albany Med says, "Parents don't realize how important it can be and what the consequences of diluting formula can be."
Just how severe are those consequences? In the case of the Florida baby,the excess water in his blood stream caused the 5 month old to go into seizures and stop breathing. he survived, but was diagnosed with water intoxication and malnourishment.
So Becky is looking for other ways to save on food costs. a fluctuating income forces her and her husband to rely on food stamps, but sometimes even that's not enough... so in keeping their children's nutrition a priority...they've turned to Women,Infants and Children, or WIC, for help. She says, "WIC made it possible so we could still buy milk products, eggs, getting the protein that we need." And she's not the only person in the capital region seeking assistance. The manager of the Albany WIC says they were helping about 2600 people a month, but since July of 2008, they've seen that number jump to more than 2800.
Becky think there's no need to "feel prideful that you can't go in and apply for food stamps, that you can't go in and apply for heat and energy assistance. those are all things that are going to help your family survive during this time." A small sacrifice for a small life that relies on nutrition now more than ever.
And it's going to be easier for families on WIC to get the nutrition they need. New York recently became the first state in the u.s. to completely revamp it's WIC nutrition program, offering more whole grains, low fat milk and fresh fruits and vegetables. For more information visit http://www.health.state.ny.us/prevention/nutrition/wic/
