Michelle Obama taps Subway to help in healthy eating initiative

First Lady Michelle Obama chowed down on a Subway turkey sandwich Thursday after asking the popular sandwich chain to join her campaign against childhood obesity.

During a press conference at a Subway close to the White House, Obama recognized Subway’s new $41 million marketing campaign, launching Feb. 1, in helping her spread her healthy eating initiative for kids. Obama was joined by athletes Michael Phelps, Justin Tuck, gymnast Nastia Liukin and Subway spokesperson Jared Fogle.

The brand’s Partnership for a Healthier America campaign includes the slogan “Playtime Powered by Veggies,” a Healthier America logo, with signs posted at children’s eye level at Subway counters, and a video collaboration with Disney’s the Muppets.

“With these new initiatives, Subway is once again stepping up to provide even more healthy choices for our families,” said Obama. “I am thrilled that Subway is one of the first companies that answered this call.”

Subway has already made moves to offer healthy choices for kids, including apple slices in place of chips and low fat milk or water instead of soda in kids meals. All of the meals contain no trans fat and are 600 calories or less.

So what did the first lady put on her sandwich? Turkey and vegetables, including spinach, tomatoes, pickles and peperoncinis on wheat bread.

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