March is National Nutrition Month!

Parents, it’s National Nutrition Month! This most important month was designated by the Academy of Nutr ition a nd Dietetics as a way to promote and increase awareness of making informed food choices and developing a healthy, active lifestyle. This year’s theme is “Bite into a Healthy Lifestyle”. It’s a great opportunity for each of our preschools in Durham, Chapel Hill, and Greenville to teach our students about proper nutrition and healthy eating habits, at a young age. Establishing healthy habits starts young and must be reinforced by parents and teachers.

In honor of National Nutrition Month, we’d like to share a list of 25 Healthy Snacks from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Parfait: Layer vanilla yogurt and mandarin oranges or blueberries in a tall glass. Top with a sprinkle of granola.
Inside-Out Sandwich: Spread mustard on a slice of deli turkey. Wrap around a sesame breadstick.
Rocky Road: Break a graham cracker into bite-size pieces. Add to low-fat chocolate pudding along with a few miniature marshmallows.
Mini Pizza: Toast an English muffin, drizzle with pizza sauce and sprinkle with low-fat mozzarella cheese.
Spread mustard on a flour tortilla. Top with a slice of turkey or ham, low-fat cheese and lettuce. Then roll it up.
Sandwich Cut-Outs: Make a sandwich on whole grain bread. Cut out your favorite shape using a big cookie cutter. Eat the fun shape and the edges, too!
Banana Split: Top a banana with low-fat vanilla and strawberry frozen yogurt. Sprinkle with your favorite whole-grain cereal.
Apple Pie Oatmeal: Make one packet of microwave oatmeal with low-fat milk. Mix in 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce. Sprinkle with apple pie spice or cinnamon.
Mix together peanut butter and cornflakes in a bowl. Shape into balls and roll in crushed graham crackers.
Microwave a cup of tomato or vegetable soup and enjoy with whole-grain crackers.
Fill a waffle cone with cut-up fruit and top with low-fat vanilla yogurt.
Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on hot popcorn.
Peel a banana and dip it in yogurt. Roll in crushed cereal and freeze.
Spread celery sticks with peanut butter or low-fat cream cheese. Top with raisins.
Stuff a whole-grain pita pocket with ricotta cheese and Granny Smith apple slices. Add a dash of cinnamon.
Mix together ready-to-eat cereal, dried fruit and nuts in a sandwich bag for an on-the-go snack.
Smear a scoop of frozen yogurt on two graham crackers and add sliced banana to make a yummy sandwich.
Microwave a small baked potato. Top with reduced-fat cheddar cheese and salsa.
Make snack kabobs. Put cubes of low-fat cheese and grapes on pretzel sticks.
Toast a whole-grain waffle and top with low-fat yogurt and peaches.
Mix together low-fat cream cheese, mixed dried fruit bits and shelled sunflower seeds. Spread on a toasted English muffin.
Blend low-fat milk, frozen strawberries and a banana for thirty seconds for a delicious smoothie.
Make a mini-sandwich with tuna or egg salad on a dinner roll.
Sprinkle grated Monterey Jack cheese over a corn tortilla; fold in half and microwave for twenty seconds. Top with salsa.
Spread peanut butter on apple slices.

Dip it! Bonus Snacks

Dip baby carrots and cherry tomatoes in low-fat ranch dressing.
Dip strawberries or apple slices in low-fat yogurt.
Dip pretzels in mustard.
Dip pita chips in hummus.
Dip graham crackers in applesauce.
Dip baked tortilla chips in bean dip.
Dip animal crackers in low-fat pudding.
Dip bread sticks in salsa.
Dip a granola bar in low-fat yogurt.
Dip mini-toaster waffles in cinnamon applesauce.

With all these yummy options, those tiny tummies and picky palates will be happy, happy, happy!

Children’s Campus serves healthy snacks every day to our preschoolers. Learn more about our three preschool locations by contacting us or calling 919-806-1900.

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The Children's Campus opened the Summer of 2005, and I was one of the fortunate parents to claim a coveted spot. It was love at first visit. I was a new mom and this was going to by my baby's first daycare. I was nervous and excited for the opportunity. Fast forward to present 2013 and I am still the biggest fan. Both my children have now been fortunate to grow, explore, learn, and be loved by this wonderful center.

Thank you for providing a safe, nurturing and wonderful environment for my children. Thank you for loving them as your own. And, thank you for creating a place that makes learning fun.

Thank you to Mr. John - "The Cooker" (as my four year old will say) for providing nurturing meals that apparently I can't top at home. "No, I want Mr. John's soup" is a common complaint at my house. That is okay because that means my child is eating during the day.

Great staff, great teachers, great support, great place!

Dona Aguayo, Parent of two, Southpoint

All three of my children have received wonderful care at Children's Campus - first at Southpoint (Durham) and then in Chapel Hill.

Going back to work early in an Infant's life is always tough but it has been so much easier knowing my babies have been truly loved. Leaving my youngest little girl was as close to stress free as I could imagine, almost like leaving her with family!

... I know that everyone at the schools, from the administrators to the teachers to the wonderful Cook, is truly invested in my children - looking out for their welfare!

Kym Hunter, mother of three, Chapel Hill

We feel very fortunate to be part of the caring environment at Children's Campus at Southpoint. The hours are generous for parents who work outside the home and the flexible drop-off and pick-up times are convenient for those that work from home. Chef John prepares delicious and healthy meals and snacks and saves me from agonizing over packing a lunch every morning. The pre-k program prepared our oldest for a successful year of Kindergarten as well as a stress-free transition. From the 5-star educators to the friendly community we could not be happier with our decision to entrust CC with the care of our children.

Erica L, Southpoint

I've had 3 children at Children's Campus at Southpoint, from infancy through pre-k, and my favorite thing is that these teachers really love their kids. If you take a tour, you'll see how clean and well organized it is, and they'll describe the great educational programs and tools and activities that they have. The reason we sent all 3 kids there, though, is that we know that the teachers care about our children as individuals - they know them, they pay attention to how they're doing, and our kids love the teachers back. It's wonderful.

Andy E, Southpoint

Both of my kids went here and we loved it. The teachers were kind and engaging. I really felt like my kids were cared for and loved for the unique individuals they are. Also, they were both more than ready for kindergarten when they left. The Children's Campus made learning fun and the whole staff felt like family. Years later we still feel like it is a second home and still like to come and visit the wonderful teachers and administrators.

Inna S, Chapel Hill