Tips for Shopping for WIC Foods
Have Problems at the Grocery Store?
Here is what to do:- Ask to speak with the store manager.
- Contact your local WIC office if you are not satisfied, or
-
Contact the State WIC Program at
1-800-852-5770
or wic@cdph.ca.gov.
- Save your store receipt.
-
Report the following information:
- Date
- Time
- Store name
- Location
- Names of the staff involved
- Details of the situation
Smart shopping tips
Here are some tips for stretching your WIC benefits and food dollars:- Check store ads and websites for sales.
- Create a weekly meal plan based on sale items.
- Make a grocery list.
- Use grocery store loyalty cards.
- Use coupons.
- Buy store or generic brands.
- Take advantage of “buy one, get one free” specials.
- Buy fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season.
No added sugars
Added sugars are not allowed in some WIC foods, such as juice, canned fruits, frozen fruits and vegetables, and dried fruits. Foods lower in sugars help prevent obesity, diabetes, some cancers, and tooth decay.
Sugar has many names. Some other names include:
- Agave or agave syrup
- Barley malt
- Brown sugar
- Cane syrup
- Corn sugar
- Corn syrup
- Dextrose
- Evaporated cane juice
- Fructose
- Glucose
- High-fructose corn syrup
- Honey
- Maltodextrin
- Maltose
- Maple sugar
- Molasses
- Powdered sugar
- Raw sugar
- Sucrose
Artificial, reduced-calorie, and no-calorie sweeteners are also NOT allowed. Some names for them are:
- Acesulfame potassium
- Aspartame
- Malitol
- Maltitol
- Monk fruit
- Nectresse
- NutraSweet
- Sorbitol
- Splenda
- Stevia
- Sucralose
- Truvia
- Xylitol
Check the ingredients for added sugars or sweeteners.
See example of labels for canned pineapple below.
Additional resources:
Stretching your food benefits