The world is in awe of the first black president of the United States of America, Barack Obama and his lovely wife, Michelle, and children Sasha and Malia. People are intrigued by every aspect of their lives and details mean a lot.

A question that is often asked is what will the Obamas eat? Will the meals be health-conscious or could they embrace the Mexican flavours of one of their favourite chefs, Rick Bayless of Topolobampo restaurant in Chicago?

When dining out at the restaurant, Baylis says that the Obamas start with tortilla soup and guacamole. Entrées would include green ceviche [marinated shellfish] with Kona Kampachi, a choice yellowtail fish from Kona, Hawaii, to make the connection with President Obama's childhood in Hawaii.

To reflect his mother's roots from Kansas in the United States, roast rib eye from grass-fed cattle is served with red-chilli sauce and corn tamales. Dessert may be typically American, for example apple pie, and the meal is capped with a blend of Kenyan, Indonesian and Mexican coffee. What the Obamas ate in their hometown of Chicago may indicate what might be served at the White House in Washington.

Broccoli O'bama Pizza

Chicago is best known for its famous Italian Fiesta Pizzeria serving President Obama's favourite family pizzas. The pizzeria was asked to prepare one of the foods for the Inauguration Expo in Washington, D.C.

The popular St Louis restaurant called Pi may serve up another favourite pizza for the president. During the campaign, Pi introduced a new pizza, called Broccoli O'Bama, featuring many of the then senator's favourite foods - broccoli, seasoned potatoes, Applewood smoked bacon, Gruyère cheese, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, minced garlic served on the thin side with a sour-cream dip.

Lobsters and champagne

The Obamas enjoy fine dining and may go upscale Italian at classy restaurants where they enjoy hand-crafted pastas and other dishes. Michelle Obama eats well and one of her favourites is sepia - charred baby octopus. While her husband was at a meeting at the Waldorf-Astoria last year, Michelle ordered through room service, lobster hors d'oeuvres, two steamed lobsters, Iranian caviar and champagne.

Although it is still early to get a comprehensive look at the Obamas' menus at the White House at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, we know that the inaugural menu was based on some of the favourite foods of former president, Abraham Lincoln, and foods that President Obama would enjoy - Terrapin Stew; Leg of Veal, Beef a l' anglais, fruit ices and cream candies.

Healthy eating

The Obamas decided to keep current White House first female executive chef, Cristea Comerford, who has been part of the White House kitchen staff since the Clintons. The fact that Comerford is a parent sits well with the Obamas and Michelle is comfortable to share perspectives on healthy eating and healthy families. Chef Comerford is busy researching to see exactly what the Obamas like to eat.

For a healthier fare, the Obamas eat lots of fruits, vegetables and lean meats, as observed on the campaign trail. Barack Obama believes that breakfast is an excellent boost for the brain, so he eats eggs, potatoes, wheat toast, fruit, oatmeal and occasionally, bacon. Everyone should know by now that President Obama's favourite meal is a steaming bowl of chilli, which Michelle keeps really healthy when she lovingly makes it for Barack by using low-calorie, high-fibre ingredients and all the frills of reduced sour cream, grated cheddar cheese, chopped escallions and chopped fresh tomatoes.

Speciality chilli

President Obama surprised fellow diners in Washington when he stopped in for lunch at Ben's Chili Bowl and ordered a house speciality chilli with half-smoked sausage. If food is ordered to go, it might be whitefish and latkes [a fried flat cake of grated potato] at one place, cheeseburger and chicken from another, or corned-beef sandwiches and cherry pies.

Michelle may order grilled tilapia from an island-inspired restaurant near to their Chicago home.

Like any other children, the Obama girls love fried chicken and macaroni and cheese. Malia enjoys lemon-meringue pie and Sasha is a lover of cobbler, made by family friend, Kaye Wilson.

The other foods that the Obamas enjoy are shrimp and grits, and on a walking tour of an Italian market, Obama ate salami with baked ricotta. However, he eats almost anything - barbecued chicken wings, ribs, grilled fish and steamed broccoli. He may even grab a cheddar cheese cheeseburger while campaigning in a small town.

Organic brew

Items for a quick energy fix may be chocolate-covered doughnuts with pink sprinkles, a mix of nuts and seeds and raisins, as found in the chocolate-roasted peanut protein bar and an organic brew, Black Forest Berry Honest Tea. This brew is hard to locate, so Obama keeps a supply on hand.

President Obama does not enjoy mayonnaise, asparagus, beets, soft drinks or ice cream.

Organic foods

It is possible that the Obamas will eat organic foods if the pro-organic positions taken by the president are anything to go by. Organic foods are appearing more on dinner tables and restaurant menus. A local gardener who runs the Troy Community Farm in Madison is one of 20 farmers who could be picked for the new position of White House farmer to start an organic farm on the grounds of the White House.

Several of America's famous chefs who work passionately with fresh local ingredients are heartened that the Obamas are leaning toward the promotion of healthy eating and the use of locally grown foods. President Obama has expressed concern over the alarming rates of childhood obesity and would want to improve the quality of food served in schools and support local farmers, who would be the key sources of ingredients for healthy school lunches.

Several interest groups are lobbying President Obama to initiate policies to change farm and rural policies to emphasise the connection between diet and health.

The Obamas have been known to eat well, enjoying fine dining in restaurants in and around the Capitol. Undoubtedly, the Obamas will change the face of eating for their fans, whether it's an adventurous menu or a simple bowl of chilli on the run.

Obama's Family Chili

Ingredients

1 large onion, chopped

1 green sweet pepper, chopped

Several cloves of garlic, chopped

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 lb ground turkey or beef

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon ground oregano

1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric

1/4 teaspoon ground basil

1 tablespoon chilli powder

3 tablespoons red wine vinegar

Several tomatoes, chopped

1 can red kidney peas

Method

Sauté onions, green pepper and garlic in olive oil until soft. Add ground meat and brown evenly. Combine spices then add to ground meat. Add red wine, vinegar and tomatoes and allow to simmer until tomatoes are cooked. Add kidney beans and simmer for a few more minutes. Garnish with grated cheddar cheese, onions and sour cream. Serve with white or brown rice.

References:

www.startribune.com/ lifestyle/taste

www.reuters.com

www.madison.com/toolbox

blogs.abcnews.com/ political punch

www.azcentral.com/ news/ elections

www.latimes.com/features/ food

obamafoodorama. blogspot.com

Heather Little-White, PhD, is a nutrition and lifestyle consultant in the Corporate Area. Send comments to editor@gleanerjm.com or fax 922-6223.