Why We Need More ‘Food for Thought’ & Less Soul Food for True Growth
Soul food has its roots deeply embedded in the history of African American culture, emerging during the era of slavery in the United States. It was born out of necessity, crafted by enslaved individuals who utilized the scraps and less desirable parts of animals that their masters rejected. These resourceful cooks transformed humble ingredients into delicious meals, blending traditional African culinary practices with available local resources. The resilience and creativity seen in soul food reflect a rich legacy of overcoming adversity, turning hardship into a celebration of flavors, community, and heritage.
As humans, eating fuels us and replenishes our bodies of nutrients we lose through waste or sweat. Soul food, valued for its rich flavors and cultural importance, has nutritional drawbacks. Many traditional dishes are high in sodium, starches, and sugars but low in essential vitamins and minerals. Processed meats like bacon and sausage raise sodium levels, increasing hypertension risks. Staples like fried chicken and mac and cheese use refined carbohydrates, causing blood sugar spikes. Desserts such as sweet potato and pecan pies are high in added sugars, contributing to weight gain and type 2 diabetes risk. Additionally, the lack of fruits and vegetables in soul food can lead to nutrient deficiencies, impacting overall health.
It’s Not The What But The How:
Soul food, as well as other American delicacies, aren’t always the easiest of meals to digest. But it’s not the what, but more of the how. Take a simple tossed garden salad for example. You can safely consume as many vegetables as you wish. It’s the sugars & preservatives in salad dressings that kills the benefits. We even take it a step further by transforming our once healthy salad into taco salad by dumped a pound of greasy, ground beef that was fried in canola. Chicken is one of the most popular proteins on the planet. Fried chicken is not the devil. How it’s fried is the real serial killer.
If you crave soul food, look for healthier preparation methods like cooking your chicken in an air fryer or frying it in a natural grease like cocoanut or olive oil. Do your research on artificial sweeteners that do not give you spikes in blood sugar. Sweet potatoes contain complex carbohydrates that elevate blood glucose levels. When consumed, these carbohydrates convert to sugars, offering quick energy. However, adding sugars, syrups, or marshmallows can significantly raise blood sugar, with spikes potentially three times higher than fasting levels.
Opt For Smaller Portions:
Our bodies are able to break down soul food more efficiently when we use cleaner forms of preparations & intake smaller portions. What makes it so dangerous is the amount of salt, carbohydrates & sugars we scarf down in a single sitting. A plate will hold a wedge of buttery, sweet cornbread, cornbread dressing, sugary sweet potatoes, potato salad, Mac & cheese, rice in the broccoli casserole & bacon laced collard greens. After cleaning that plate, a chunk of sweet potato pie is on the horizon. A cold glass of southern sweet tea is used to wash down all that sin. It’s called a balanced diet NOT a balanced “try it”! No one is twisting your arm to try ever since option on the menu.
Food For Thought:
If only we could feed our thoughts in the same fashion we fed our bellies. Take a bite of this food for thought. Self-control is one of the greatest victories in life. Controlling yourself in the kitchen is the first step to healthier eating habits. Whole foods digest better than processed foods & this decreases stress on your digestive system. Eating cleaner also subsides your appetite & keeps you satisfied longer. A rumble in our tummy is nature’s notification that it’s time to eat. Eating based solely on the clock rather than our body's natural hunger signals can lead to overeating, poor digestion, and a disconnect from our intuitive understanding of our body's actual needs.
Unhealthy soul food is not a badge of honor, but a reflection of our ancestors' resilience in the face of necessity. They made the best of limited, unhealthy options, but we have the power to choose differently. If you do find yourself craving southern soul food, remember that smaller portions and healthier preparation can go a long way in honoring your body. Just as important, feeding your mind with reading or research can be just as satisfying and help shift the focus away from food. It's about embracing a holistic approach to nourishment—both physically and mentally—that truly honors our heritage and well-being.
🤎🖤Black Love ✊🏿 Black Power ☮️ Black Peace to my 🌡 Community.
