SNAP May Get Healthier Soon

May 16, 2025 – Governor Greg Abbott has voiced support for restricting the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to promote healthier eating among low-income Texans. Under his proposal, SNAP recipients would be prohibited from using their benefits to purchase certain “junk foods,” including sugary sodas, candy, and other items deemed nutritionally poor.

Abbott argues that taxpayer-funded assistance should support nutritious food choices that contribute to better health outcomes, especially as Texas continues to grapple with high rates of obesity, diabetes, and other diet-related health issues. By eliminating unhealthy food options from the list of SNAP-eligible items, the Governor believes the state can encourage better long-term habits and reduce healthcare costs.

Critics, however, caution that such restrictions could create unnecessary burdens on families who already face limited food access, particularly in rural or low-income areas where healthy options are scarce. They also argue that defining what constitutes “unhealthy” food can be subjective and may stigmatize SNAP users.

The proposal would require federal approval, as SNAP is a federally funded program. Still, Abbott’s push reflects a growing national debate over how public assistance should intersect with public health goals, and whether limiting choice is an effective strategy for encouraging better nutrition.