Tips for Making Healthy Food Drive Donations

With food drive season in full swing, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's Director of Child Wellness, and Registered Dietitian, Trisha Hardy has simple tips for selecting healthy options for donation:

1.    Include a protein source - very important for growing children

• Canned or pouched chicken, tuna fish or salmon (in water, low sodium)
• Canned/dried beans or peas (low sodium/no salt added)
• Canned or pouched chili, beef stew or bean soup (low or reduced sodium)
• Peanut butter
• Nuts and seeds

2.    Focus on fruit instead of fruit juice

• Apple sauce (no sugar-added)
• Dried fruit (no sugar-added), raisins
• Fruit cups and canned fruit in water or 100 percent fruit juice
• Whole fresh fruits (apples, oranges) *

3.    Donate veggies

• Canned green beans
• Canned tomatoes or pasta sauce (low-sodium)
• Veggie soups
• Salsa packaged in non-glass container
• Whole fresh veggies (sweet potatoes, onions, greens)*

4.    Pick up unflavored milk/calcium sources

• Low-fat or non-fat powdered milk
• Plain/unsweetened shelf-stable, low-fat/ non-fat milk
• Plain soy, almond or rice milk (fortified with calcium & vitamin D)
• Fat-free/low-fat canned evaporated milk

5.    Choose whole grains/cereals with few additives

• Plain brown or wild rice
• Quinoa and whole grain couscous
• Whole grain pasta
• Whole grain, low sugar cereal e.g. plain Cheerios
• Plain or low-sugar oatmeal
• Whole grain fig bars
• Graham crackers
• Whole grain crackers (i.e. Triscuits)
• Popcorn 

* Many food pantries now accept fresh fruits and veggies, but check before purchasing