By Lesley Graham
In honor of National Nutrition Month, AtlantiCare’s Healthy Schools, Healthy Children initiative came to the Ocean City Primary School on Friday to give the second graders green mustaches.
The mustaches came courtesy of green smoothies that the children learned how to make as a healthy snack alternative.
Laura Munyon, of AtlantiCare, spoke to the classes about the importance of eating healthy to grow big and strong. She provided examples of a balanced meal, including protein, fruits and vegetables, whole grains and dairy in every meal to keep a well-balanced approach to food.
The kids were shown step by step instructions by Chef Nicole LaTorre, of EatCleanOrg, as well as given recipe cards to take home to their families so they could duplicate the recipe at home.
LaTorre, who is a member of the AtlantiCare’s Growing Green Chef Council, owns EatCleanOrg, a meal prep service that provides healthy, gluten free and organic meal options throughout South Jersey.
LaTorre, who has partnered with AtlantiCare for the past four years, stressed the importance of showing kids early that healthy snack options can taste delicious as well as be good for you.
“Food can taste great and be great for you,” she told the children.
After watching LaTorre turn the vegetables and fruits into a blended smoothie, it was time for the kids’ favorite part – tasting it. The room was filled with almost 90 second graders covering their upper lip with a green mustache, but more importantly, happily enjoying the healthy smoothie.
The visit was one of many that AtlantiCare does to local schools throughout Cape May and Atlantic counties, providing important nutritional information and the importance of wellness, fitness and nutrition.
