An Indian-American is among the 54 kids announced winner of 'Healthy Lunchtime Challenge' and will be attending the Kids' "State Dinner" at the White House to be hosted by First Lady Michelle Obama on July 18.
Rajen Dey, 11, from North Carolina, has been selected for his "Yummy and Healthy Kati Roll" in the 'Healthy Lunchtime Challenge', a US recipe challenge to promote healthy eating among America's youth as part of the First Lady's Let's Move! initiative.
The 54 children will join the First Lady for a healthy lunch, featuring a selection of the winning recipes, followed by a visit to the White House Kitchen Garden, the White House said.
For the third consecutive year, the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge and Kids' "State Dinner" invited a parent or guardian to work with their child ages 8-12 to create a lunchtime recipe that is healthy, affordable, original, and delicious.
In support of Let's Move!, launched by the First Lady to help address the problem of childhood obesity, each recipe adhered to the guidance that supports USDA's MyPlate (at ChooseMyPlate.Gov) to ensure that the criteria of a healthy meal were met.
Entries had to represent each of the food groups, either 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 making up roughly half the plate or recipe.
The contest received more than 1,500 entries this year featuring wholesome, tasty ingredients, including salmon, black beans, and ground turkey.
