Nanny State Hits Washington WIC Program – Low-Fat Milk Only Now?

Ok - the state's paying for it - we suppose they have a say.  But here comes another thinly disguised "nanny" doctrine from the government.

Tuesday,  the Washington State Department of Health announced a significant change in the WIC (Women-Infants-Children)  nutrition program.  From now on,  clients will only be allowed to purchase 1%, or semi-low-fat, milk.

At first glance, you might think, "hey no big deal."   But after decades of being raised on 2%,  this is significant.    There are nutritional and dietary arguments to support the "lesser" milk as being healthy.  We're not against that,  or even non-fat.  Drink what you choose.

But again, it's the principle of the idea.   Under WIC guidelines,  clients adhere to a fairly strict menu of sensible, healthy foods.   No blatant junk.   I know, because many years ago when I met my wife,  she was raising our three older daughters on her own, working fulltime and was getting some moderate food assistance.   I've seen the food lists.  They're not unreasonable.

But according to Cathy Franklin,  the Nutrition Coordinator for the WIC Program:

"One percent and nonfat milk have the same nutrients as 2 percent and whole milk; the only difference is the amount of fat. One percent and nonfat milk have less calories and cholesterol.  This will be new for some families, but we’re giving lots of support and information to help them make the change.”  (Bold lettering added for emphasis).

Read that last line again a few times...."help them make the change..."  Government tells you what's healthy and what's not, and they are so kind, they will help YOU change.

For years,  WIC and other nutrition program have allowed various types of milk to be purchased.  As far back as 2011, the Washington Post reported 2% was by far THE most sold in America, over 40%.   Whole milk at 30,  while 1% and skim (non-fat) were just about tied at 15% each.   The reason?  Let's be blunt.   Skim, and even 1%, taste like WATER!

So much has been said about Michelle Obama taking over in the White House (yes, we went there!) and her dietary war on the American consumer, that we are convinced this is a ripple effect.   Fresh off her destruction of the American school lunch program (hummus? lentil salads?)  her influence has now affected WIC programs.

But what state officials are not considering is the ripple effect on dairies.  While their profit and business isn't centered around supplying state food programs,  this undoubtedly will have a financial effect.  Now,  half of the four types of milk they could have sold to the state are gone.   And we highly doubt WIC consumers will be chugging down gallons of 1% in the future.

The REAL reason this has happened?  Again, the government deciding it's their job to tell you how to raise your kids, and they're not afraid to tell your kids they think they're fat.  From the DOH news release Tuesday:

"Overweight and obesity rates for young children served by WIC decreased for the first time in 2012 and again in 2013. The decline is attributed to changes to the WIC food package in 2009, and the trend should continue following this change."  (Bold lettering added for emphasis).

Nobody wants to have an overweight or obese child.  There are many reasons why it happens, some of them is that all too often they sit in front of an X-Box instead of playing or exercising while having fun.

BUT it's not the government's job, or right, to tell us how to raise them.   We have a right to be fat.  It's not healthy, but we don't need the nanny state to tell us what to do.