Even though the USDA reports that over 90% of schools are successfully implementing new nutrition requirements for whole grains, you’ve probably heard a tale or two about pushback against whole grains. It’s that same old story: bad news and sensational headlines from a tiny minority grab our attention, while the good news from the vast majority gets left on the cutting room floor. 

News flash: kids like whole grains, especially when they’re incorporated into kid-tested recipes – or even better, kid-created recipes. Rather than debate what youngsters will or will not eat in the cafeteria, let’s take a step back and check out the recipes that the children themselves have come up with.

The proof was on the table at last week’s Kids’ State Dinner at the White House, when First Lady Michelle Obama saluted 55 winners of this year’s Healthy Lunchtime Challenge. These winners were chosen from nearly one thousand children across the country who entered their original healthy recipes into the competition, with a winner chosen from each state (as well as Guam, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, and Washington DC).

Whole grains were everywhere in these kids’ dishes. Here are just a few of the creative ways these kids incorporated whole grains.

California Rainbow Tacos with “Mic-Kale Obama Slaw” and “Barack-amole”

Whole wheat and whole corn tortillas were very popular; the first seven dishes below use whole wheat tortillas, while the last three feature corn tortillas. You gotta love the name of that last one – which we’ve pictured above — very creative!

• Alabama Fancy Fish Tacos, in a whole wheat tortilla
• Caribbean Delight, tilapia and plantain in a whole wheat tortilla
• Fabulous Fish Tacos
• Shake it off with a Turkey (a turkey wrap in a whole wheat tortilla)
• Gateway Crescents, a quesadilla-like dish with quinoa filling
• M”eggs”ican Quesadillas with Pineapple Dipping Sauce
• Indian Tacos, a sort of Chicken Tikka Masala wrap
• Phoebe’s Phish Tacos with Kale Chips
• Chicken Taco Towers
• California Rainbow Tacos with Mic-Kale Obama Slaw and Barack-amole 

Garam Masala Quinoa Burger with Raita

If kids aren’t wrapping something up in a tortilla, they may well be serving it on a whole grain bun, as in these dishes:

• Hurricane Salmon and Lentil Patties
• Black Bean Burgers with Kale Chips
• Garam Masala Quinoa Burger with Raita

Vegan Superhero Soup

Brown rice was another favorite, incorporated into dishes like: 

• Sam’s Southern Savoring Salmon Supreme
• Vegan Superhero Soup
• Deliciousness over Rice
• Fizzle Sizzle Stir Fry
• Curried Chickpeas with Baked Tofu over Cilantro Rice
• Mix It Up Sushi
• Vegetable Confetti Spring Rolls

Y’Obama Yakisoba

Whole grain noodles or pasta starred in dishes including:

• Y’Obama Yakisoba, made with whole wheat spaghetti
• Melting Pot Soup
• Mediterranean Rockin’ Roasted Vegetables in Cool Cucumber Boats

Hungry Brothers Stew

Beyond wraps, buns, noodles and brown rice, kids branched out to other grains which may seem like more adult choices. Quinoa has filtered down to the younger set, it seems, and farro and oats made their way into the winning recipes too.

• Quinoa Crusted Spinach Tofu Pie
• Hungry Brother’s Stew
• Honey Baked Salmon with Spinach Quinoa
• Rain’s Turkey Chili made with rolled oats
• Farro with a Tennessee Twist 

No one knows what children like to eat better than the children themselves, so if you’re looking to spice up your weeknight dinner routine, one of these kid-created recipes is a great place to start. Check out the links above, try one of the kids’ recipes, and tell us what you think. Are there some budding chefs out there? 

If you read the short stories with each recipe, you’ll learn that many of these kids are committed activitists in their schools, advocating for creative and delicious choices in the school lunchroom. Kudos to them for caring, from an early age, about what they put in their mouths.

Here at the Oldways Whole Grains Council we’re also big supporters of starting kids out right when it comes to whole grains. Check out our new Education Portal, with links to whole grain lesson plans for young people at every grade level. Make sure your local schools are teaching kids the importance of whole grains! (Cynthia)