TikTok Pregnant Mom Shares Healthy Meals That Help Solve Rare Problems

When women find out they are pregnant, amidst the nervousness of the first doctor's visit, one of the first things they are given was a list of restricted food. Hence, for pregnant individuals, who live below the poverty line and sustain food assistance through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the checklist of food restrictions is even longer and the nervousness may be more intense.

WIC provides pregnant people and parents of kids 5 years old and younger vouchers to purchase necessities such as groceries, formula, and fruit. Along with the support that comes with extensive restrictions on which foods qualify. In addition, many low-income families encounter barriers such as accessing grocery stores specifically those who live in food deserts. Marissa Rudd, also known as justsunni on TikTok states that pregnancy made her more aware of how she was nourishing not only herself but also her developing child.

Rudd began using social media to post WIC-approved healthy meals that she also enjoy during her pregnancy to spread awareness and help other WIC recipients. Speaking as a single mother, the TikTok mom has a fixed income and so she decided to use her resources to come up with healthy and colorful options. However, she admitted that WIC was difficult for her as there are approved brands and guidelines but curating recipes helped her a lot on the program and establishing a resource for the parent community on TikTok.

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Rudd will keep on making her content as it is helpful

The TikTok mom had not anticipated that many families were experiencing similar struggles. Although she gave birth to a healthy baby, she still continues to share quality WIC recipes weekly. Every post includes step-by-step instructions. The audience can learn how to make meals such as salmon rice bowls with either salsa or blueberry oatmeal breakfast breaks. Some meals might seem out of reach at first glance for families receiving public assistance. Hence, Rudd remains relevant as she fills an essential gap.

She also shows in another video the difference between WIC, a short-term program for pregnant and youth for particular nutrition items only. She also shares the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) which is only available to low-income families with people of all ages that can be used for any uncooked food item that can be found in the grocery store.

Rudd brings individuals a step closer to addressing the obstacles to quality food as she makes WIC more accessible for families and spreads awareness of the advantages of consuming it. Also, Rudd told Parents that WIC provides support, especially during her postpartum and for kids up to 5 years. Therefore, as long as she has the ability, she will be pursuing her content and keep making recipes.

WIC helps low-income families

The program itself provides help specifically to low-income families. It also promotes breastfeeding, referrals, and access to both health and social services, for low-income pregnant, postpartum, and young ones who are at nutritional risk.

The TikTok mom bridge the gap in terms of nutrition which is beneficial to moms and kids. Carlie Saint-Lauren Beaucejour states that access to a healthy diet during and after pregnancy is important for the health of mothers as well as for the growth of newborn babies. During crucial times, both moms and infants need nutrients such as proteins, iron, fats, carbohydrates, and folate. She also notes the risk for conditions such as diabetes and obesity that surface later in life can be associated with the nutrients passed during pregnancy.

CBPP reported that poverty in early childhood may be harmful, thus, pregnant moms should take care of themselves, especially during and after giving birth.

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