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Food Allergies And Wic?

kyga2

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kyga2 Apprentice
kyga2
Posted

To make a long story short, starting this summer, my family will qualify for WIC. I am trying to learn more about this program. The focus is on healthy foods, but there are a lot of dairy and whole grains. Neither my daughter nor I can tolerate gluten or dairy. I hate to look a gift horse in the mouth, so to speak, and I am grateful for the fruits and veggies I will have access to, but do they ever make allowances/substitutions for food intolerances? As all of you know, anything gluten free or dairy free costs more so any help would be appreciated. It seems clear at this point that whole gluten free grains, almond milk, etc. are off the table here. I would be interested to hear anyone's experiences or expertise on this topic.

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alex11602 Collaborator
alex11602
Posted

To make a long story short, starting this summer, my family will qualify for WIC. I am trying to learn more about this program. The focus is on healthy foods, but there are a lot of dairy and whole grains. Neither my daughter nor I can tolerate gluten or dairy. I hate to look a gift horse in the mouth, so to speak, and I am grateful for the fruits and veggies I will have access to, but do they ever make allowances/substitutions for food intolerances? As all of you know, anything gluten free or dairy free costs more so any help would be appreciated. It seems clear at this point that whole gluten free grains, almond milk, etc. are off the table here. I would be interested to hear anyone's experiences or expertise on this topic.

I am not sure what state you are in, but in NJ for any substitutions you need to have a form filled out by your doctor(WIC provides the form), and there are a select few acceptable reasons that qualifies for substitution. We recently stopped using our checks because the doctor could not get the right wording so they would not substitute soymilk for my daughter's regular milk even though you could not handle it. Good luck! I hope you get what you need.

GlutenFreeManna Rising Star
GlutenFreeManna
Posted

See this link, last question: Open Original Shared Link

It looks like they may work with you but only if you have a doctor's note. It doesn't say they approve dairy subs, however. If they don't you could always see about buying rice if it's a WIC qualifying item and making your own rice milk which is fairly simple to make.

Open Original Shared Link

ETA: Gluten free is fairly easy and inexpensive to do without gluten free subs. Just buy rice, beans, potatoes, fruit, veggies, etc. That is if they won't accomodate it. From that link it sounds like they may give you more rice and beans in place of the bread if you explain that you can't eat wheat bread or wheat based pasta. I would be surprised if they let you buy gltuen free bread and gluten free pasta but it can't hurt to ask, esp if you have a dr diagnosis.

tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

Why would rice, corn, and quiona (all fairly common gluten-free grains) be off the table?

Mizzo Enthusiast
Mizzo
Posted

Here's another offering. There is a service called Angel food ministries that offers some gluten-free boxed foods through a church service. I don't know if it's available in all states but they have them in Mass. BTW anyone can buy their products.

Happyw5 Explorer
Happyw5
Posted

To make a long story short, starting this summer, my family will qualify for WIC. I am trying to learn more about this program. The focus is on healthy foods, but there are a lot of dairy and whole grains. Neither my daughter nor I can tolerate gluten or dairy. I hate to look a gift horse in the mouth, so to speak, and I am grateful for the fruits and veggies I will have access to, but do they ever make allowances/substitutions for food intolerances? As all of you know, anything gluten free or dairy free costs more so any help would be appreciated. It seems clear at this point that whole gluten free grains, almond milk, etc. are off the table here. I would be interested to hear anyone's experiences or expertise on this topic.

I used to be on WIC in Wisconsin. I could purchase whole grain brown rice with my checks. I could also substitute baby formula (for soy) with a doctors note. I am not sure about milk, but they are usually very helpful and I know that other substitutions available--I am allergic to peanut butter but I could get dry beans. They are different in every state and it has been a few years since I recieved it, but they used to be really good about helping. My best friend is actually a wic nurse in Iowa and they still seem to be very accomidating.

Kimmik95 Rookie
Kimmik95
Posted

I know nothing about WIC, but I do know that if you itemize your taxes, you can get a deduction, I think for any money you spend on allergy related foods. I know it's not immediate assistance, but it could help in the long run.

To make a long story short, starting this summer, my family will qualify for WIC. I am trying to learn more about this program. The focus is on healthy foods, but there are a lot of dairy and whole grains. Neither my daughter nor I can tolerate gluten or dairy. I hate to look a gift horse in the mouth, so to speak, and I am grateful for the fruits and veggies I will have access to, but do they ever make allowances/substitutions for food intolerances? As all of you know, anything gluten free or dairy free costs more so any help would be appreciated. It seems clear at this point that whole gluten free grains, almond milk, etc. are off the table here. I would be interested to hear anyone's experiences or expertise on this topic.

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kyga2 Apprentice
kyga2
Posted
  • Author

Hmm, all very interesting. In terms of grains, I was just thinking I couldn't get anything other than rice. We can get a doctor's note but my husband thinks we shouldn't bother. He reasons that he can have the bread and milk and whatever money we save can go to the almond milk, dairy free cheese, and gluten free bread. I'm trying to decide if this is a good idea or not.

tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

almond milk, dairy free cheese, and gluten free bread are all expensive. and not necessary. yes, it would require changing your style of eating some, but I would encourage you to shift to naturally gluten free whole foods - it's cheaper and healthier.

mammato5 Newbie
mammato5
Posted

Here in OR you can get lactose free milk (w/o a dr note.) I just told them we couldn't have regular milk. I can choose corn tortillas or brown rice instead of wheat bread; beans, peas or peanut butter. These are all listed on the voucher, so it didn't require any thing extra. For the cereal I get corn or rice chex. Good luck

brendab Contributor
brendab
Posted

We've been doing WIC for about a year now for my last two little ones and for me when I was PG and nursing BUT we are avoiding soy, dairy, gluten and eggs A LOT of what they offer LOL and I've asked about being able to trade stuff out and I was told that they could not. I would just not pick the stuff up and I am at the loss. HOWEVER in my case, I am in a large family and the rest of the family can eat the other foods and that helps in a round-about way so that we save money and turn around to buy the alternative foods.

OH, as a side note: Virginia is now adding soy milk in if that helps anybody else, just not us :)

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