Life Hacks

These economical tips and tricks will help bring variety into your cooking routines and show you fun, easy ways to use (or re-use) your WIC benefits.  Have some of your own? You can send them to us!

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Creative Cooking Ideas

WIC yogurt

Guacamole Cheat

Love fresh guacamole? Hate how it turns brown in the refrigerator? Add a dollop of plain yogurt into your avocado mixture and not only will it make it creamier, it allows it to maintain its green color!

Soy milk in a glass surrounded by soy beans
Tap Here to See Recipes with Plant Based Milk Alternatives!

Tips for Stocking and Using Shelf-Stable Soymilk

Shelf‑stable soymilk is great for little ones — easy to use, easy to pack, and always ready when you need it.

  • Lunch & Snack Time: Great for school lunches, daycare bags, or after‑school snacks — just pour what your little one needs.
  • Less Waste: Long shelf life means you can save it for when your child is ready.
  • Pantry Ready: Keep a few cartons on hand for busy mornings or surprise “we’re out of milk” moments.
  • On‑the‑Go: Great for car rides, park days, playdates, or trips.
  • For Meals: Use it just like dairy milk. Fortified dairy alternatives can help provide important nutrients, including vitamin D and calcium, for children 12 months and older.
WIC Flavor without frying

Add flavor without frying

It’s easy, mixed crushed corn flakes with your favorite seasoning. Then, dip chicken or fish in lightly beaten egg whites and roll in the cereal coating. Bake until cooked through and crisp. Enjoy!

Peanut butter 'Burritos'

We make “peanut butter burritos”. I spread peanut butter on a whole grain tortilla and add a bit of jam or honey, chopped apples and a sprinkling of granola, or banana and roll it up. It’s less messy than a sandwich and more fun. My 4 year old asks for peanut butter burritos all the time!

Submitted by WIC Mom Julia from Vermont

Yogurt Swaps

Light blue graphic with a disposable cup illustration above a speech bubble containing the words ‘Did You Know?’ in bold white text and a red question mark.

Yogurt can swap for many staples?

Light blue graphic showing a speech bubble with ‘Did You Know?’ and an illustration comparing 1 cup sour cream to 1 cup yogurt as an equal swap.

1 cup sour cream = 1 cup yogurt

Light blue graphic showing a speech bubble with ‘Did You Know?’ and an illustration comparing 1 cup oil to 1 cup yogurt as an equal swap.

1 cup oil = 1 cup yogurt

If a thinner consistency is desired, mix yogurt with a liquid such as oil, milk, or water. Start with a small amount of liquid to thin and add more as needed.

Light blue graphic showing a speech bubble with ‘Did You Know?’ and an illustration comparing 4 eggs to 1 cup yogurt as an equal swap.

4 eggs = 1 cup yogurt

Light blue graphic showing a speech bubble with ‘Did You Know?’ and an illustration comparing 1 cup buttermilk to 1 cup yogurt as an equal swap.

1 cup buttermilk= 1 cup yogurt

If a thinner consistency is desired, mix yogurt with a liquid such as oil, milk, or water. Start with a small amount of liquid to thin and add more as needed.

Tap here to explore more tasty and creative ways to use your yogurt benefits.
WIC Sweet or savory toppings in a snap

Sweet or savory toppings in a snap!

Use crushed corn flakes or crispy rice mixed with a touch of Parmesan cheese to top off casseroles instead of bread crumbs. Toss crushed frosted shredded wheat with cinnamon and a touch of brown sugar to top off baked apples, peaches, or other warm, yummy treats.

Strong Minds, Strong Bodies—Powered by Dairy!

Did You Know?

Dairy foods, like milk, cheese and yogurt, offer a unique combination of nutrients that support early brain development—providing 7 out of the 14 key nutrients that help young minds grow and learn.

They also contribute more bone-building nutrients than any other food group, playing an important role in building and maintaining strong bones throughout life.

In addition, dairy provides nutrients that support immune health, physical growth, and overall development, making it a valuable part of a balanced diet for children and families.

Watch these videos to learn more facts about dairy.

USDA-approved statements, Food and Nutrition Service.

Tap here to explore more about how dairy supports brainpower, strong bones, and growing bodies!
WIC Sweet or savory toppings in a snap

Keep your greens FRESH

You can make lettuce (or spinach) last longer if you put paper towels in the container. It can help the lettuce easily last up to 10 days without wilting!

Submitted by WIC particpant Annjanette from Kansas

Make your fresh fruits last longer!

Keep your fresh fruits in a glass or plastic container with sealed lids after thoroughly washing and drying them, your produce can last up to two weeks longer than it would in the store bought container!

Submitted by WIC Mom Kayleen from Alaska
Various fruits and veggies in the shape of a heart

Getting the most out of your fruits and veggies

Find fun little hacks for stretching your fruit and veggie benefit, quick recipes packed with produce, and easy tricks to help kids get excited about fruits and veggies.

See more tips!

Honey bunches of French toast!

When making French toast, after dipping your slices of bread in egg mixture, dip them in crushed or slightly crushed honey bunches of oats(or any kind of wic cereal of your choosing) and then cook immediately to make it crispy and crunchy and you can even add cereal to one side and the bread and add peanut butter or peanut butter and jelly and make a sandwich your kids are sure to love!

Submitted by WIC Mom Samantha from Missouri
WIC French Toast

A hot, wholesome on the go breakfast in minutes

Bake and freeze a batch of breakfast muffins over the weekend using high fiber cereals like frosted shredded wheat or bran flakes.  Every morning, pop a muffin in the microwave for 20 seconds at a time until warm and soft.  Then, cut the muffin in half and fill with peanut butter and banana slices, a slice of turkey and cheese, or just a touch of fruit preserves.

WIC Loaded Potatoes!

My WIC hack is for WIC Loaded Potatoes. I shred my WIC cheese, chop my WIC green onions (& sometimes tomatoes) and Non-Fat Plain Greek Yogurt, and use it all to top a large baked potato for a delicious dinner. I then place the remaining green onions in a mason jar with water, and allow them to regrow for future use!

Submitted by WIC Mom Alexandra from Washington
wic, wic tips

Healthier mashed potatoes

My toddler twins wouldn’t eat veggies but loves mashed potatoes. I would sneak in veggies or beans by boiling until soft and blending in a blender then mix that in with regular mashed potatoes. I called them ‘mashed pea-tatoes’ and it helped my girls acquire a taste for veggies by themselves.

Submitted by Elizabeth Harpe of Florida

Learn more about preparing the potatoes you buy from WIC here!

Enjoy Potatoes – Mother Nature’s Best-Kept Secret!

Did you know, potatoes are more energy-packed than any other popular vegetable and have even more potassium than a banana? With just 110 calories, one medium, skin-on potato provides 30% of your daily value of vitamin C, along with the carbohydrate, potassium and energy you need to perform at your best!

Watch these videos to learn more facts about potatoes.

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Tap here to learn more about potato nutrition and buying, storing, and cooking the potatoes you get from WIC!
WIC French Toast

Quick cheat for crispy French toast

When making French toast, add the simple step of coating the slices in crushed corn flakes after you’ve dipped them in your egg mixture. Quickly transfer to your pan to cook until crisp and crunchy on the outside.

Make 'spice cubes'

This is a great way to preserve fresh herbs for use year round.

  1. Rinse and dry your herbs.
  2. Cut your herbs into little pieces, about a half inch to an inch.
  3. Fill each cubby in your ice cube tray about half full with chopped herbs.
  4. Fill each cubby with olive oil.
  5. Pop them into your freezer
  6. Your spice cubes are ready to go the next time you need them!
Submitted by WIC Mom Ashley from Tennessee
WIC Tasty low cost croutons

Tasty, low cost croutons

Toss a cup of corn or rice flakes with a small amount of oil and a few dashes of seasoning.  Try Italian seasonings with a garden salad. For something with a southwest kick, try a blend of oregano, chili powder, and cumin.

WIC Stew

Encourage digestive health with the foods you love

Thicken hearty stews or chili with a cup or two of crushed bran flakes or frosted shredded wheat into the slow cooker or pan.

wic, wic tips

Make meat go further

Crush rice cereals and mix with canned fish or ground turkey to add great texture to fish patties and flavorful meatballs. For hearty meats like ground beef, try adding crushed wheat flakes or frosted shredded wheat to add some fiber to meatloaf and a touch of sweetness.

Stretch ground meats with lentils

Another tasty and healthy way to make ground meats go further is by adding equal amounts of lentils. It honestly adds a level of flavor that is amazing in dishes like tacos. It works in any dish that uses ground meats. I always add them 1-1 cup ratio but it can be adjusted for taste.

Submitted by WIC Mom Angelina from Tennessee

Upcycle your baby food jars!

WIC Flavor without frying

Sow some seeds!

Baby food jars are the perfect vessel for starting your own seeds. Whether you have a beautiful space for an outdoor garden or are planning to fill your pantry with the fruits on your indoor garden, baby food jars can help you meet your goal.

WIC Tasty low cost croutons

Show someone you care

Show someone they’re loved by giving them a baby food jar packed full of their favorite treats.

WIC Stew

Store your spice blends

Baby food jars are great for storing your homemade spice blends.  Here is a savory rub for tossing on your meats to get your spice blend collection started.

Hot New Recipes

Want to try something different?  Check out these fun new recipes!