Michelle Obama appears on reality cook show to promote healthy eating

Michelle Obama made an appearance on an episode of Iron Chef America show to promote healthy eating for children.

The mum-of-two, who became the only US first lady to appear on a reality television show, stressed on the need to cut down childhood obesity through healthier meals, better school lunches, the use of farmers' markets and exercise.

Michelle further brought with her a secret ingredient that she later revealed were sweet potatoes from the White House garden.

"It's important for these kids to have a hands-on experience," Times Online quoted her as saying.

"And now we're expanding the tours of the garden to any public [state] schoolchildren that come to Washington DC, and we're doing those on a regular basis, and it's just been a wonderful educational addition," she added.

The two-hour special also featured White House executive chef Cristeta Comerford and award-winning restaurateur Bobby Flay who competed against Iron Chef regular Mario Batali and celebrity cook Emeril Lagasse.