Indian American Rajen Kathi Amongst White House Recipe Contest Winners

Rajen Dev, an 11-year-old American of Indian origin emerged one of the winners of the 'Healthy Lunchtime Challenge', a recipe contest conducted as part of Michelle Obama's Let's Move! Initiative to encourage healthy eating among America's youth.

The Indian American, a resident of North Carolina, has been chosen for his "Yummy and Healthy Kati Roll" and will take part, along with 53 other winners, in the Kids' "State Dinner" at the White House to be hosted by Michelle Obama on July 18. The healthy lunch will feature select winning recipes, followed by a visit to the White House Kitchen Garden.

Let's Move! was launched by the First Lady to help address the problem of childhood obesity.

For the third successive year, a parent or guardian has been invited to work with their child ages 8-12 to prepare a lunchtime recipe that is healthy, affordable, original, and delicious.

All recipes conformed to the guidance that supports USDA's MyPlate (at ChooseMyPlate.gov) and met the yardsticks of a healthy meal.

Entries had to represent each of the food groups, either compositely in one dish or as parts of a lunch meal, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy foods, with fruits and veggies constituting roughly half the plate or recipe.

The contest included 1500 entries this year and contained wholesome, tasty ingredients, including salmon, black beans, and ground turkey.

Source: Medindia