LOS ANGELES — Anthem Blue Cross wants people to eat better. And to help its members make more healthful food choices, the insurance giant is sending out money-saving coupons.

For ice cream.

And processed sandwich meat.

And mayonnaise. And canned vegetables.

And, strangely, deodorant.

The coupon campaign is being tested among thousands of Anthem members in California. If it proves popular, the coupons will probably be offered nationwide.

“We want you to know that we’re much more than just your health plan,” the insurer declares in its letter accompanying the coupons. “We’re your partner in helping you get and stay as healthy as possible.”

Eating well is important for lowering your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and strokes, the company says.

“With smart buys on delicious, wholesome foods . we’re putting the power of good health in the very best of hands — yours,” it says. “Now go and savor the journey ahead.”

Fruits and vegetables I could understand. Or organic foods. Or vitamins. Or medicine.

But it’s a bit of a surprise that Anthem’s idea of healthful living includes a coupon for $1.50 off boxes of Weight Watchers Giant Chocolate Fudge ice cream bars or Giant Vanilla ice cream sandwiches.

The Giant Chocolate Fudge ice cream bar has 110 calories, 70 milligrams of sodium and 25 grams of carbohydrates. The Giant Vanilla ice cream sandwich has 140 calories, 140 mg of sodium and 32 grams of carbs.

Those are better numbers than you’d encounter, say, with a box of Dove bars, except for the sugar. A chocolate-covered vanilla Dove bar has 320 calories, 40 mg of sodium and 32 grams of carbs.

Still, those Weight Watchers treats represent hefty chunks of the 2,000 calories, 2,300 mg of sodium and 250 grams of carbs that food experts say people should limit themselves to daily if they want to eat well.

Kristin Binns, an Anthem spokeswoman, said the coupons are from a marketing company called Linkwell Health, which has partnered with the insurance giant to encourage more healthful eating choices.

The idea, she said, is that many people will buy ice cream or mayonnaise anyway, so why not steer them toward products with lower calories or sodium counts?

“The mailed coupons are an engaging way to provide members with information to help them live healthier and make gradual changes by pointing them to healthier food alternatives and other items that contribute to a healthy lifestyle,” Binns said.