Client-centered perspective of food stamp usage in the era of healthy eating

In the era of “let's move”, Child Nutrition Reauthorization, and newspaper articles entitled “What if Oliver Twist were fat?”, limiting the usage of food stamp benefits to ensure that only the healthiest foods are purchased with our common tax dollars might seem a no-brainer. It is tempting to take the easy road by simply limiting purchases rather than providing robust education efforts to enhance consumer choices. But, while we are trying to protect households from tooth decay, obesity and a host of public health problems, we are also limiting self determination and increasing the stigma of participation.