Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center

12/02/2025

✨ Happy First Monday of December from ACNC! ✨

We’re kicking off the month and easing back in from Thanksgiving break with the most joyful smile from one of our research participants, Mila! 💙

She lit up our visit with so much energy and happiness that we couldn’t even pick a favorite photo… so we’re sharing all three!

Here’s to a bright, healthy, and cheerful start to the holiday season! ✨

11/29/2025

✨ Celebrating Strength, Confidence, and Community! ✨

This past Sunday, the Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center team was thrilled to join the Girls on the Run 5K Celebration!

Each season ends with this joyful, non-competitive event that gives participants a powerful sense of accomplishment and reminds them that they are the authors of their own stories.

We loved cheering on the runners and passing out fun ACNC swag along the way!

Here’s to empowering young girls to shine on the course and beyond! 🌟

11/28/2025

🦃🥪 Gobble Up Those Leftovers with a Healthy Twist!

The day after Thanksgiving means one thing… leftovers!

If your fridge is full, the Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center has a fun and nutritious way to remix your turkey sandwich. Try building your own Leftover Power Sandwich with these tasty add-ins:
1️⃣Whole Grain Bread – A hearty choice that gives long-lasting energy.
2️⃣Cranberry Sauce – Adds a tangy pop of flavor!
3️⃣Sliced Apples – A sweet crunch packed with fiber.
4️⃣Spinach – A boost of greens for extra vitamins and iron

Getting creative in the kitchen is a great way to explore new flavors—and kids love joining in on the fun! Let them help and turn leftovers into something delicious and nutritious.

11/27/2025

🦃🍁 Happy Thanksgiving from the Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center! 🍁🦃

Today we’re especially grateful for the families we serve, the communities we work with, and the incredible teams across Arkansas Children’s who help us support healthier futures for kids.

Wishing you and your loved ones a holiday filled with joy, gratitude, and nourishing moments together. 💙

11/27/2025

🦃✨ Thanksgiving is almost here!

With the holiday just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to brush up on food safety.

ACNC Nutrition Study Coordinator, Anni Fuenmayor, MS, shares helpful tips to keep your family safe and healthy this Thanksgiving season. From prepping your ingredients to storing leftovers, a little care goes a long way!

Let’s give thanks for a happy, healthy, and safe holiday! 🍽️💙

11/26/2025

Community Expecting is a research study that is taking a clinical exercise program for pregnant women into the community setting. We are looking for women between 11 and 15 weeks pregnant with a BMI over 30 and want support for exercise during pregnancy. Study will last throughout pregnancy and 1-year following delivery. Monetary and non-monetary compensation will be provided.

Contact us to find out if you qualify:
📞501-364-3309 or 📧acncstudies@archildrens.org

11/25/2025

✨ Teamwork in Action at Arkansas Children's! ✨

This past Thursday, the Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center partnered with the Community Engagement team and Clinical Nutrition to host a special nutrition education event in the Family Resource Center at ACH.

Our nutrition experts shared helpful tips on navigating picky eating during the holidays, and families enjoyed a fun hands-on activity along with a healthy snack.

Check out the pictures to see our amazing ACNC team members alongside partners from Community Engagement and Clinical Nutrition who help bring these meaningful events to life! ❤️🍎

11/22/2025

This past Saturday, ACNC team member Katina attended The Central Arkansas Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta and Second Baptist Church’s 4th Annual Health & Wellness Fair!

Katina connected with community members by sharing helpful tips on general nutrition, providing information about the Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center, and highlighting opportunities to participate in our current research studies.

We’re grateful for the chance to support families, answer questions, and continue building healthier futures together! ❤️🍎

11/21/2025

Do you have a child that is 9-10 years old? They may be eligible for a research study at Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center. Monetary compensation provided.

📞Call 501-364-3309 or 📧email acncstudies@archildrens.org

11/20/2025

Thanksgiving countdown is on! ⏰

Before the big feast, make sure your turkey is thawed with safety in mind.

ACNC’s Precious Jeffery shares 3 ‘TUR’-rific tips (recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture) to get your turkey ready for roasting day. 🍽️

Follow along as we share more tips — your guests (and your stomach) will thank you!

11/19/2025

Are you less than 15 weeks pregnant? Is your BMI more than 30? Do you exercise less than 150 minutes per week? You might be eligible to participate in a community-based exercise research study through the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center. Study will last throughout pregnancy and 1-year following delivery. Monetary compensation plus other non-monetary incentives are provided for participation.

To find out if you are eligible, 📞call 501-364-3309 or 📧email acncstudies@archildrens.org

Learn more about the Community Expecting study for expectant women.

11/18/2025

🌟 Meet Adrienne! 🌟
Adrienne is a Nutrition Research Assistant II at the Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center, where she’s been an important part of our team for the past four years.

“In short, I run study visits!” she says. “In long, I conduct and gather research data regarding anthropometrics, DXA scans, resting energy expenditure, fitness and strength levels, food records, and so much more!”

Her favorite part about working at ACNC?

“My coworkers! We all appreciate one another’s strengths and work well as a team.”

Adrienne also shares that ACNC’s research goes beyond nutrition — it includes fitness, sample collection, and body composition, too!

When she’s not at work, Adrienne loves a classic healthy snack — apple slices with peanut butter 🍎🥜 — and fun fact: she can milk a goat! 🐐

Her favorite quote sums it up perfectly:

“Research is always evolving, and I’m grateful I get to be even a small part of it.”
We’re so thankful for Adrienne’s dedication, teamwork, and energy that help make ACNC’s research possible!

ACNC is a partnership between Arkansas Children's and the USDA-Agricultural Research Service, in collaboration with the Arkansas Children's Research Institute and UAMS