Eat Your Culture

Introduction

What do you think of when you think of African-American food? Most people would probably answer "soul food," the style of fare served in both the American South and in urban areas across the country. Although popular, this term is considered offensive by many who are more familiar with the history behind it. For example, Dr. Jessica B. Harris refers to "soul food" as "the culinary expression of a people who have lived through times that were less than soulful." That's why we prefer to use the term African-American food, which encompasses all aspects of this cuisine without invoking traditional stereotypes or negative connotations.

African-American food has a rich history that's worth exploring, especially since the food of the region is so much healthier than you might imagine.

Food is a way to connect with your roots, family and community. It can be a way of understanding the past. It is something that should be celebrated and shared with others. Most importantly, it's delicious.

The foods that shaped African-American culture include greens, root vegetables, beans and rice, black-eyed peas and cornbread.

While you're at it, eat your culture.

The foods that shaped African-American culture include greens, root vegetables, beans and rice, black-eyed peas and cornbread.

Some of the world's healthiest foods originated on this continent.

African Americans have a long history of eating traditional foods. African American families have been preparing and serving traditional dishes for generations, and these dishes are often healthier than other types of meals.

Some of the world's healthiest foods originated on this continent. Many healthy African American recipes come from the South, where they were brought by our ancestors who had learned to cook them in Africa or created them by combining ingredients they found here with their own cooking traditions.

But in modern times, these foods haven't always been readily

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accessible to African-Americans.

But in modern times, these foods haven't always been readily accessible to African-Americans. In fact, some of the staples of black food culture are hard to find or expensive in urban areas where black people live. For example:

• Black-eyed peas and collard greens were once grown by blacks on small family farms, who then sold them at market. Today, they're grown mostly by large agribusiness companies that sell their products primarily through supermarkets and grocery stores. This means that if you don't have access to a supermarket or farmers market nearby (or can't afford the high price tags associated with these stores), you may not be able to buy these ingredients locally at all!

• Another example is okra—a staple ingredient in gumbo stew—which has become a luxury for many due to its high price tag and limited availability outside Louisiana.*

The challenge for African-Americans is to eat their heritage in a way that promotes better health.

In order to promote better health, African-Americans need to eat more vegetables, beans and whole grains; lean protein such as fish and chicken; fruits and vegetables; less processed foods; sugar; salt; fat (especially saturated fat); cholesterol.

You can eat your culture in a way that promotes better health by combining these ingredients into delicious meals that are easy to prepare.

Eat the healthy traditional foods from your culture to promote better health and get connected with your roots or family

There is a reason why people get a little excited when they are invited to an authentic Black restaurant. They are thrilled because they know that there’s going to be food on the table that is unlike anything they can find at the local supermarket.

When you eat your culture, you get to experience some of the best parts of life: family dinners and celebrations with people who love you, enjoying meals with friends and sharing stories with them over coffee or tea after dinner.

Conclusion

So now that you know all about how healthy the traditional foods of African-American culture are, what are you going to do about it? You can start by doing some research of your own about the foods that come from your background. Then, try to incorporate some of those dishes into your daily life.