MILWAUKEE (AP) -- The season of giving has started, with schools, churches and businesses kicking off food drives that have become annual holiday traditions.

But many food banks are asking donors to think twice before dropping ramen noodles and frosted cereals in donation barrels.

Many commonly donated foods are high in salt, sugar or calories, making them poor choices for people with high blood pressure, diabetes and other diet-related health problems.

With more people turning to food banks and for longer periods of time, agency officials say they need donations but they'd like to see people give the kind of healthy and nutritious items they'd serve to their own families. They recommend donations of rice, whole-wheat pasta, canned tuna, pinto or black beans, peanut butter and canned vegetables.