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Healthy Soul Food

From EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki



Soul Food Health Trends

With the improvement of economic status, people who suffer from hunger have dramatically decreased, especially in developed countries. However, more and more people are experiencing stress, overconsumption of fast food and sweets, staying up later, etc., which makes them suffer from depression, anxiety, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cancers and so on, especially among African Americans. As a result, more and more people claim that we should focus on the quality of food rather than the quantity of it.

Soul food is a kind of African American cuisine that emphasizes fried, roasted, and boiled food dishes using primarily chicken, pork fat, organ meats, sweet potatoes, corn, and green leafy vegetables.[1] Since it has been embedded in African American culture for a long time with its negative effects on people's health, and given the healthy trends in modern times, both physically and mentally, it is necessary to modify traditional soul food within healthy trends and advocate for it. This article will describe modifying soul food in five aspects, including soul food with low carb, soul food for vegans, soul food that is gluten-free, soul food with low sugar, and soul food with low fat. Lastly, it will give high-profile advocates to promote soul food within health trends.[2][3][4][1][5]

Soul Food


Healthy Soul Food
Alternative namesHealthy Soul Food
Place of originAfrica American
Region or stateNortheastern, Midwestern, Mid-Atlantic, Southern (list), Western, Southwestern and other
Associated national cuisineAmerican cuisine
Created byLeRoi Jones (Amiri Baraka)
Inventedbecome popular in the 1960s and 1970s
VariationsStyles of preparation
Food energy
(per 100 g serving)
Low kcal
Nutritional value
(per 100 g serving)
Protein g
FatLow g
Carbohydrate g

The Culture and History of Soul Food

Soul food is a kind of traditional cuisine of African Americans in the southern U.S. It is also described as “seductive, satisfying, filling, spicy, high-fat, spiritual, traditional cuisine of Black Americans, especially southern Blacks” by African American women. [5]

It encompasses a long history of slavery, persecution and segregation. To produce a distinctive African American cuisine, slaves who were brought to the USA combined their West African cooking methods with British, Spanish and Native American (American Indian) techniques and with whatever foods were accessible to them. [1]

Functions of Soul Food

Troisi and Wright (2017)[2] claimed that food consumption is not only out of hunger, but also for its emotional, cultural and symbolic meanings. To prove that idea, empirical research was done to analyze how food works in both physical and mental aspects. After the research, they concluded that people's thought, desire and evolution for particular food depend on their mental association and social psychological processes. In other words, both biological and psychological needs affect food choice, implying that comfort food can be applied in psychology [2]

Factors Affecting Healthier Food Choices

There is no doubt that everyone may want to be healthy. However, there are beliefs, barriers and self-efficacy issues that affect food consumption and food choice. A survey was conducted among 57 African Americans to assess aspects that relate to healthy eating. [3] Although people have awareness and knowledge about healthy eating, the survey showed that there are barriers that restrict people's healthy eating.

Another research also showed that barriers to healthy eating come from not only the price, flavor, accessibility and absence of social support, but also changes in total energy, fat intake and weight. [4]

More broadly, a project conducted showed that factors that influence diet and lifestyles come from individual, social, cultural and community aspects (James, 2004). Especially for women:

high-fat traditional food preferences, common frying and addition of salted meats to vegetables[6]

-ethnic differences in dietary intake

-culture traditions

Traditional Soul Food

As a result, since those barriers prevent people from healthy eating, the increasing consumption related to the demand for unhealthy soul food leads to health problems.

Modifying Soul Food to Fit within Health Trends

Although soul food comprises various healthy foods such as collards, okra, rice, legumes and sweet potato, it also comprises high intake of fat from various meats, especially pork, seasoned with lard or other animal fats. [3]

health issues

As a result, more and more recipes of soul food should be modified to be healthy, accessible and affordable, especially in aspects of alternative ingredients and cooking methods.

The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) plan to produce healthy soul food is one example of a diet plan to reduce risks of diseases caused by an unhealthy diet. It maintains the flavor and acceptability of traditional soul foods and meets people's nutrient requirements at the same time (Rankins, Wortham, & Brown, 2007).

Soul Food with Low Carb

-less than 130 g of carbohydrate a day

-promote as a permanent lifestyle choice

-eat green vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, as well as whole-fat dairy and olive oil. [6]

[7]

Soul Food for Vegan

[8]

Soul Food in Gluten-free

[9]

Soul Food with Low Sugar

[10]

Soul Food with Low Fat

[11] [12]

High Profile Advocates: Promotes

1) Use healthy soul food to satisfy both biological and psychological needs. [2]

2) Nutrition programs mainly target women, as well as people in different socioeconomic groups (James, 2004)

3) Embed culture into diet and advocate for healthy eating at the community level to make it familiar and relevant among African Americans. [3]

embrace culture facility and relevance and consider environmental influences [1]

People are increasingly paying attention to a healthy lifestyle. Although soul food is fast and easy to consume in a fast-paced life, where people suffer from health issues, modifying soul food within healthy trends becomes necessary.   

However, modifying soul food within healthy trends should be promoted not only among African Americans, but also among people all over the world, as health issues occur among all human beings.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 James, Delores (November 2004). "Factors influencing food choices, dietary intake, and nutrition-related attitudes among African Americans: Application of a culturally sensitive model". Ethnicity & Health. 9 (4): 349–367. doi:10.1080/1355785042000285375. ISSN 1355-7858.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Troisi, Jordan D.; Wright, Julian W. C. (2016-11-16). "Comfort Food". Teaching of Psychology. 44 (1): 78–84. doi:10.1177/0098628316679972. ISSN 0098-6283.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Pawlak, Roman; Colby, Sarah (2009). "Benefits, barriers, self-efficacy and knowledge regarding healthy foods; perception of African Americans living in eastern North Carolina". Nutrition Research and Practice. 3 (1): 56. doi:10.4162/nrp.2009.3.1.56. ISSN 1976-1457.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Wang, Jing; Ye, Lei; Zheng, Yaguang; Burke, Lora E. (September 2015). "Impact of Perceived Barriers to Healthy Eating on Diet and Weight in a 24-Month Behavioral Weight Loss Trial". Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 47 (5): 432–436.e1. doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2015.05.004. ISSN 1499-4046.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Modifying Soul Food for the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Diet(dash) Plan: Implications for Metabolic Syndrome(dash of Soul)" (PDF).
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Feinmann, J. (2018). Low calorie and low carb diets for weight loss in primary care. BMJ, 360, . https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.k1122
  7. ↑ Bovell-Benjamin, A., Dawkin, N., Pace, R., & Shikany, J. (2009). Use of focus groups to understand African-Americans’ dietary practices: Implications for modifying a food frequency questionnaire. Preventive Medicine, 48(6), 549–554. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2009.03.006
  8. ↑ Radnitz, C., Beezhold, B., & Dimatteo, J. (2015). Investigation of lifestyle choices of individuals following a vegan diet for health and ethical reasons. Appetite, 90, 31–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2015.02.026
  9. ↑ Lu, Z., Zhang, H., Luoto, S., & Ren, X. (2018). Gluten-free living in China: The characteristics, food choices and difficulties in following a gluten-free diet – An online survey. Appetite, 127, 242–248. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2018.05.007
  10. ↑ Venn, D., & Strazdins, L. (2017). Your money or your time? How both types of scarcity matter to physical activity and healthy eating. Social Science & Medicine, 172, 98–106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.10.023
  11. ↑ Booth, P., Edmonds, C., & Slivova, J. (2018). The effects of attitudes, knowledge and beliefs about healthy eating on sugar and low-fat product intake. Appetite, 130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2018.05.162
  12. ↑ Coskun Benlidayi, I. (n.d.). The secrets of keeping fit: exercising and healthy eating. Rheumatology International, 39(2), 401–402. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-018-4171-5
Main article: Soul food
Further information: healthy diet
Soul Food at Powell's Place
Alternative namesHealthy Soul Food
TypeMain food
CourseMain course
Place of originAfrica American
Region or stateNortheastern, Midwestern, Mid-Atlantic, Southern (list), Western, Southwestern and other
Associated national cuisineAmerican cuisine
Created byLeRoi Jones (Amiri Baraka)
Inventedbecome popular in the 1960s and 1970s
VariationsStyles of preparation
Food energy
(per serving)
Low kcal
Nutritional value
(per serving)
Protein g
FatLow g
Carbohydrate g

Soul food is a kind of African American cuisine that emphasizes fried, roasted, and boiled food dishes using primarily chicken, pork fat, organ meats, sweet potatoes, corn, and green leafy vegetables.[1] Since it has been embedded in African American culture for a long time with its negative effects on people's health, and given the healthy trends in modern times, both physically and mentally, it is necessary to modify traditional soul food within healthy trends and advocate for it. This article will describe modifying soul food in five aspects, including soul food with low carb, soul food with low sugar, soul food with low fat, soul food for vegans and soul food that is gluten-free. Lastly, it will give high-profile advocates to promote soul food within health trends.

The culture and history of soul food

Being one kind of traditional cuisine of African Americans in the southern U.S., soul food is also described as “seductive, satisfying, filling, spicy, high-fat, spiritual, traditional cuisine of Black Americans, especially southern Blacks” by African American women.[2] It encompasses a long history of slavery, persecution and segregation. To produce a distinctive African American cuisine, slaves who were brought to the USA combined their West African cooking methods with British, Spanish and Native American (American Indian) techniques and with whatever foods were accessible to them.[1]

Functions of soul food

Troisi and Wright (2017)[3] claimed that food consumption is not only out of hunger, but also for its emotional, cultural and symbolic meanings. To prove that idea, empirical research was done to analyze how food works in both physical and mental aspects. After the research, they concluded that people's thought, desire and evolution for particular food depend on their mental association and social psychological processes. In other words, both biological and psychological needs affect food choice, implying that comfort food can be applied in psychology.[3]

Factors affecting healthier food choices

There are beliefs, barriers and self-efficacy issues that affect food consumption and food choice. Most commonly, people suffer from time scarcity because of planning, shopping, preparation, cooking, eating and cleaning involved. A survey was conducted among 57 African Americans to assess aspects that relate to healthy eating. It is found that although people have awareness and knowledge about healthy eating, the survey showed that there are barriers that restrict people's healthy eating, with the price of healthy food being the main barrier in food choice[4]. Another research also showed that barriers to healthy eating come from not only the price, flavor, accessibility and absence of social support, but also changes in total energy, fat intake and weight.[5]

More broadly, a project conducted showed that factors that influence diet and lifestyles come from individual, social, cultural and community aspects.[1] The research showed that high-fat traditional food preferences, common frying and addition of salted meats to vegetables are based on ethnic differences in dietary intake and cultural traditions.[6]

As a result, with those barriers preventing people from healthy eating, the increasing consumption related to the demand for unhealthy soul food leads to health disparities, such as obesity, diabetes or hypertension. This is especially common among African Americans, which is one of the largest ethnic minority groups in the United States.[4]

Traditional Soul Food

Modifying soul food to fit within health trends

With the improvement of economic status, people who suffer from hunger have dramatically decreased, especially in developed countries. However, more and more people are experiencing stress, overconsumption of fast food and sweets, staying up later, etc., which makes them suffer from depression, anxiety, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cancers and so on, especially among African Americans. As a result, more and more people claim that we should focus on the quality of food rather than the quantity of it.

Although soul food comprises various healthy foods such as collards, okra, rice, legumes and sweet potato, it also comprises high intake of fat from various meats, especially pork, seasoned with lard or other animal fats. [4] Along with barriers that prevent African Americans from choosing healthy food, they suffer from chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Diet, as one of the important lifestyle factors, is important in preventing health conditions; thus, recipes of soul food should be modified to be healthy, accessible and affordable, especially in aspects of alternative ingredients and cooking methods.

The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension to produce healthy soul food is one example of a diet plan to reduce risks of diseases caused by an unhealthy diet. It maintains the flavor and acceptability of traditional soul foods and meets people's nutrient requirements at the same time.[2] Moreover, Food of Health and Soul is another local faith community that “supports families’ interest in retaining their cultural foods while reducing dietary fat, sodium, and sugar and increasing fiber”.[7]
Soul food with low carb

Low carb is also known as low carbohydrate, high fat. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice found that low carb positively affects glucose control in patients with type 2 diabetes, triglycerides and HDL (high density lipoprotein).[8] It is suggested that an ideal diet requires less than 130 g of carbohydrate a day and claims to be promoted as a permanent lifestyle choice through books and websites. For example, people are suggested to eat green vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, as well as whole fat dairy and olive oil.[8]

Soul food with low sugar

Desserts with high sugar are commonly consumed for hedonistic rewards, especially among women.[9] However, high sugar intake tends to increase the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardio-metabolic diseases and compromised oral health.[10] Instead, research showed that honey is beneficial to health with its "gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, reproductive, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, antihypertensive, antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory" properties.[11] Under that circumstance, honey can be used to add sweet flavor, such as dressing on smoothies, spreading on bread, etc.

Soul food with low fat

Although low-fat and nonfat products contain a higher amount of sugars than regular products, called the fat-sugar seesaw, the UK government announced guidelines that encourage people to consume low-fat products for the aim of reducing cholesterol and saturated fat in the diet.[12]

When preparing recipes, spices and herbs can be used to replace sodium and fat for flavor enhancers.[7] Soups are good examples of food with low fat but satisfying qualities. Firstly, they are quick and easy to prepare. Some of them only need to be boiled with water and simple spices, such as pumpkin soup, tomato and egg soup, etc. They have significantly fewer calories and are also convenient and cost-effective. Secondly, since soups can be cooked with various vegetables or meat, such as pork ribs and carrot soup, chicken soup with spinach, etc., they provide different kinds of nutrients that people need.[13]

Moreover, seen as a comfort food in history, soups help lessen cold symptoms and warm the soul, especially in winter. As Elizabeth Arndt said, soups increase the feeling of fullness while reducing total calorie intake. Besides, soups with chowders and stews effectively help meet the recorded daily needs for fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals, thus leaving positive effects on people's health and wellbeing.[13]

Soul food for vegan

Veganism can help reduce animal abuse and reduce the environmental impact of diet. Most importantly, it is healthy. According to several studies documenting the nutritional and health status of vegans, a vegan diet brings health benefits in various aspects.[10] Firstly, given that a BMI of 22.5 to 25 is ideal, research showed that vegans were found to have a lower body mass index (BMI) on average. Secondly, vegans tend to have lower cholesterol, blood pressure and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Thirdly, the risk of certain cancers including colon, stomach, female and prostate cancers may be lowered by vegan and vegetarian diets.[10]

Besides, there are meat and dairy substitutes that vegans can choose from, such as fiber. There are various kinds of fruits and vegetables. They not only help add flavor, fiber and texture, but are also healthy. Sweet potato, as an easy ingredient available in puree, juice, dried flake and flour, is ranked as number one in nutrition for vegetables by the Center for Science in the Public Interest.[13] Although vegetables have seasonal variation in color, nutrients, price and availability, using vegetable concentrates and extracts is an effective solution in coping with the consistency, thus boosting specific flavor profiles, especially in soups.

Soul food in gluten-free

Study showed that gluten-containing food has risks of causing celiac disease and gluten-induced disorder for those who are genetically susceptible, and there are also people who have a wheat allergy. Under that circumstance, Lu, Zhang, Luoto and Ren [14] suggested more choices and variation in the diet, especially for breakfast. In addition, peas with 85% protein have a rich amino acid profile that will be ideal for people with celiac disease, gluten intolerance and other food allergy.[13] Besides, some grains including brown rice, sorghum, amaranth, quinoa, millet and wild rice are also gluten-free in nature.[13]

However, the research showed that the subjective difficulty in following a gluten-free diet (GFD) comes from main reasons such as age, education level, advice on starting a GFD, duration before discovering a gluten intolerance, food choices and ways of GFD management. Accordingly, education about celiac disease and gluten-induced disorders can be conducted among healthcare practitioners to increase their awareness, as well as early diagnosis and intervention of gluten-induced disorders. [14]

High profile advocates: promotes

People are increasingly paying attention to a healthy lifestyle. Although soul food is fast and easy to consume in a fast-paced life, where people suffer from health issues, modifying soul food within healthy trends becomes necessary. To better promote soul food within healthy trends, there are three ways for advocating.

  1. Healthy soul food can be used to satisfy both biological and psychological needs. [3]
  2. Secondly, since women mainly prepare food in the family and have effects on later generations, the nutrition programs can mainly target women, as well as people in different socioeconomic groups. [1]
  3. Thirdly, culture can be embedded into diet and healthy eating can be advocated at the community level. Under that circumstance, it will be familiar and relevant to African Americans, helping reach them and change their food choices and intake. [4]
  4. Moreover, the program can embrace cultural facility and relevance and consider environmental influences.[1] Food For Health and Soul is a successful example of a culturally appropriate approach that effectively reaches African Americans and promotes their healthy food intake.[7]

Since chronic diseases commonly happen to people all around the world, modifying soul food within healthy trends should be promoted not only among African Americans, but also among people all over the world. Healthy eating along with regular physical activities, as two main lifestyle factors, can work together to promote health and wellbeing.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 James, Delores (1 July 2010). "Factors influencing food choices, dietary intake, and nutrition-related attitudes among African Americans: Application of a culturally sensitive model". Ethnicity & Health. 9 (4): 349–367. doi:10.1080/1355785042000285375. ISSN 1355-7858.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Rankins, J., Wortham, J., & Brown, L. L. (2007). Modifying Soul Food for the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Diet(dash) Plan: Implications for Metabolic Syndrome(dash of Soul). Ethnicity & disease, 17(3), 7-12
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Troisi, Jordan D.; Wright, Julian W. C. (2016-11-16). "Comfort Food". Teaching of Psychology. 44 (1): 78–84. doi:10.1177/0098628316679972. ISSN 0098-6283.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Pawlak, Roman; Colby, Sarah (2009). "Benefits, barriers, self-efficacy and knowledge regarding healthy foods; perception of African Americans living in eastern North Carolina". Nutrition Research and Practice. 3 (1): 56. doi:10.4162/nrp.2009.3.1.56. ISSN 1976-1457.
  5. ↑ Wang, J., Ye, L., Zheng, Y., & Burke, L. (2015). Impact of Perceived Barriers to Healthy Eating on Diet and Weight in a 24-Month Behavioral Weight Loss Trial. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 47(5), 432–436.e1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2015.05.00
  6. ↑ Bovell-Benjamin, A., Dawkin, N., Pace, R., & Shikany, J. (2009). Use of focus groups to understand African-Americans’ dietary practices: Implications for modifying a food frequency questionnaire. Preventive Medicine, 48(6), 549–554. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2009.03.006
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Woodson, J., Braxton-Calhoun, M., & Benedict, J. (2005). Food for Health and Soul: A Curriculum Designed to Facilitate Healthful Recipe Modifications to Family Favorites. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 37(6), 323–324. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1499-4046(06)60164-4
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Feinmann, J. (2018). Low calorie and low carb diets for weight loss in primary care. BMJ, 360, . https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.k1122
  9. ↑ Churruca, K., Ussher, J., & Perz, J. (2017). Just Desserts? Exploring Constructions of Food in Women’s Experiences of Bulimia. Qualitative Health Research, 27(10), 1491–1506. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732316672644
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Radnitz, C., Beezhold, B., & Dimatteo, J. (2015). Investigation of lifestyle choices of individuals following a vegan diet for health and ethical reasons. Appetite, 90, 31–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2015.02.026
  11. ↑ Kadirvelu, A., & Gurtu, S. (2013). Potential benefits of honey in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A review. International Journal of Collaborative Research on Internal Medicine & Public Health, 5(4), 199–216. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1400613979/
  12. ↑ Booth, P., Edmonds, C., & Slivova, J. (2018). The effects of attitudes, knowledge and beliefs about healthy eating on sugar and low-fat product intake. Appetite, 130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2018.05.162
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 Mannie, E. (2010). Soup for the soul: soups are a traditional comfort food, tied to health and wellness. With ingredients such as starches, proteins, vegetables, grains and cheese, content varies widely. Health claims and gluten-free options remain popular.(ingredient challenges). Prepared Foods, 179(1).
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Lu, Z., Zhang, H., Luoto, S., & Ren, X. (2018). Gluten-free living in China: The characteristics, food choices and difficulties in following a gluten-free diet – An online survey. Appetite, 127, 242–248. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2018.05.007



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