A sandwich showdown

Did you know that Americans gobble up more than a billion sandwiches each year? That's a lot of sandwiches! The fourth Earl of Sandwich, John Montagu, invented the very first sandwich in England in 1762.

To celebrate the long-lasting sandwich and to promote good nutrition, the Grain Foods Foundation has teamed up with Food Network host Dave Lieberman - who is also a personal chef and cookbook author - to find the healthiest, best-tasting sandwich in America. Time For Kids chatted with Lieberman, below, about the country's love for sandwiches.

TFK: Why is it important to encourage kids to eat healthy?

D.L.:Your early years are your most formative. One thing I don't understand about school lunch programs is, how do they expect kids to learn and focus on material when they're putting such bad stuff in their bodies? That's why I'm all for promoting healthy eating for kids. Sandwiches

are something kids COURTESY OF THE GRAIN FOODS FOUNDATION

can really relate to. But kids don't even realize sandwiches can be healthy.

TFK: Why do you think sandwiches are still so popular after more than 200 years?

D.L.: Because they taste good and they're (easy to make). And also, I think people like to touch their foods, kids especially. We like to handle our food. It's just a natural instinct. You don't have to use a knife and fork to eat a sandwich.

TFK: What was your favorite sandwich growing up?

D.L.: My dad was a little bit on the wacky side and would give me weird stuff like sprouts and cucumbers and hummus on whole-grain bread. He was really into this health kick. I was always jealous of the other kids for having white bread, and I would try to swap with them. (Laughs.)

TFK: What advice do you have for kids who want to learn how to cook?

D.L.: I would encourage them to coordinate with their parents. I think it's important for parents to guide their kids to create a connection with their food. I learned how to cook from my dad. My dad was the guy in the kitchen, and that's how my passion for cooking started. Parents can get their kids more involved in the sandwich-making process, like have them cut out shapes.

Try the kid-friendly sandwich recipe below. And for more about America's Healthy Sandwich Showdown, go to grainpower.org. - Vickie An

2006 Time Inc. All Rights Reserved. TIME FOR KIDS and Timeforkids.com are registered trademarks of Time Inc.

GRILLED CHEESE WITH TOMATO
1 slice soft white bread
1 slice soft whole wheat bread
1 slice Fontina cheese
1 slice white cheddar
2 very thin tomato slices
All-natural olive oil spray

Add cheese and tomato slices in between bread slices. Cut sandwich into fun shapes. Spray all natural olive oil on outside of bread, and grill.

RECIPE DEVELOPED BY LIEBERMAN ON BEHALF OF THE GRAIN FOODS FOUNDATION

Reader Comments

No comments have been posted. Be the first!

Other Stories With Comments:
Article	Comments
Land transfer tax-- let the voters decide	1