Eat like Obama: Try White House turkey lasagna

Video: Obama’s chef dishes up healthy lasagna

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   >>> healthier you. eating right is taking on a new shape. first lady michelle obama unveiled the my plate campaign thursday to replace the complicated and confusing food pyramid . here with details is the assistant white house chef and policy adviser for the first lady's healthy food initiative. sam, welcome.

   >> thank you.

   >> we have had the food pyramid for over 20 years. why the change to the new my plate icon?

   >> the first lady is a mother first. she knows how confusing it can be to feed your kids healthy meals and understand what it means. she's been working with the united states department of agriculture . they launched my plate which simplifies how we translate the nutritional information .

   >> it's a clear picture as to what should be on the plate. it breaks down exactly. half fruits and vegetables. what's on the other half of the plate?

   >> it's a framework that you can guide parents to help make these choices. that can be interpreted in so many different ways. there is not just one plate that works. parents can help put together delicious meals that families can enjoy all night long.

   >> how do you think this will help combat childhood obesity ?

   >> we need to be clear that one symbol can't solve a complex set of problems. we know if we can get parents the information they need and the tools to support them to make healthy choices we'll be on our way. in the end this is about parents and families making these choices. if they don't have the information they can't do it.

   >> they have to have tools, the key.

   >> right.

   >> we have an example of what should be on the plate. you do have your chicken, broccoli.

   >> here's a very simple interpretation of what it could be. we can put these basic ingreed gre yents -- ingredients together in many ways. today we are making a delicious lasagna. also good for your kids.

   >> very healthy, too. you're making it with turkey.

   >> ground turkey, whole wheat pasta, low fat mozzarella and low fat ricotta. you could use cottage cheese . a great tomato sauce and we're good to go.

   >> so you layer it up, put it on there.

   >> easy as pie. one great thing is if you can make some of these on a sunday, say, you can stick a bunch of them in the freezer so when you're busy during the week, pop it in the oven and you're good to go.

   >> perfect dinner. you put vegetables in with the sauce.

   >> obviously we know how much kids love lasagna. the great thing is you can mix any vegetable into the sauce and kids absolutely love it. we put a bunch of spinach in here.

   >> perfect. disguises it. in my family that works.

   >> here we have the cheeses.

   >> and layer the beef on top?

   >> i'm going to put another layer of noodle first.

   >> okay.

   >> then a nice layer --

   >> triple decker lasagna.

   >> that's right. then a nice layer of sauce.

   >> okay. feel free to help if you want.

   >> there's only one spoon. you are the white house chef after all.

   >> all right. i'll take care of this.

   >> perfect.

   >> we get it nice and sauced.

   >> and this cooks pretty quickly in the oven, too snm 40 minutes, 350 until it's nice and bubbled. then finish it with parmesan cheese .

   >> and mozzarella. pop it in the oven and we're good to go.

   >> we're great. parmesan and in the oven we go.

   >> it's a beautiful thing.

   >> yeah.

   >> we'll show you what it looks like when it comes out, gorgeous, beautifully crisp like that. you serve it with a side of vegetables.

   >> this is a great opportunity to get the vegetables we need. kids aren't eating enough fruits and vegetables or whole grains. with a few green beans on the side.

   >> and fruit as well.

   >> fruit is a great dessert. whatever kids like. apple, melon, whatever.

   >> is this a favorite in the obama household?

   >> this is a classic dish. it's always a winner. i go to it whenever i need.

   >> thanks for taking -- giving us the right tools to succeed in fighting childhood obesity .

   >> the first lady is determined to help our families live healthier lives. we think we are on the right track.

   >> sam kass, great to have you here. now outside to matt and meredith.

   >> it's crazy out here. we have the fans of new kids on the block and backstreet boys .

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