Vegetarian Star

Vegan recipes have stolen the spotlight in the USDA’s Healthy Kids Contest.

Tasty Tots and Central Valley Harvest Bake were the winners in the popular choice award and the dark orange and green vegetable categories, respectively.

Tasty Tots replaces white potatoes with yams and chickpeas for a baked version of the traditional tater tot. Central Valley Harvest Bake pairs quinoa with butternut squash and red bell peppers.

“Healthy vegetarian options should be part of the menu at every school in the United States,” said dietitian Kathryn Strong, M.S., R.D. from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. “We need to go the extra mile to help children choose more fruits, vegetables, and other healthy vegetarian foods to combat chronic diseases and set a course for a lifetime of healthy eating.”

The contest echoes what is hopefully a growing trend across America to remove the processed, sugary and fat-filled foods that have traditionally filled up school children’s plates with wholefoods, fruits and vegetables.

Recently, the Los Angeles Unified School District approved a 5 million dollar plan that removes many unhealthy foods from school cafeterias–including flavored milk– and puts more vegetarian options on students’ trays.

And the First Lady has expanded her Let’s Move! campaign to include better eating guidelines for preschool children.

Recipes for Tasty Tots and Central Valley Harvest Bake can be found at RecipesForKidsChallenge.com.

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