| Healthy soul food recipes continue to grow in | | | | For example, use in cornbread, custard, macaroni and |
| popularity and demand. With this nations rising health | | | | cheese, sweet potato pie, etc. |
| problems, especially among African Americans, the | | | | 2. Instead of using table salt: |
| need for healthy alternatives continue increase. As | | | | Use Kosher salt. It has less sodium than regular table |
| tasty and filling as the traditional down-home meals our | | | | salt. But the healthiest alternative is using lime juice, |
| great grandma used to make were, we now know | | | | lemon juice, apple cider vinegar and other various |
| some of the ingredients and methods of cooking were | | | | herbs and spices instead of salt. |
| bad for us. Many of the traditional recipes contained | | | | |
| high levels of cholesterol, fat and sodium. These | | | | 3. Instead of deep fat frying: |
| ingredients in-turn ignited high cases of high blood | | | | Fry, bake, broil or roast your meats. |
| pressure, diabetes, and obesity as well as other health | | | | 4. Instead of flavoring vegetables or beans with fat |
| ailments. | | | | back, bacon or ham hocks: |
| To offset the negative results, traditional soul food | | | | Flavor them with smoked turkey necks, turkey ham or |
| recipes continue to go through a transformation. As a | | | | turkey bacon. |
| result it's making a strong comeback among today's | | | | |
| health conscious adults and seniors. To help you make | | | | 5. Instead of frying your chicken or fish in lard or |
| the transformation in your own home and family here's | | | | vegetable oil: |
| a short list on how to cook healthier soul food meals. | | | | Use peanut oil or at least canola oil. |
| This list will help you to adjust your cooking methods | | | | 6. Instead of pan frying in oil: |
| easier, if you haven't started already. If you've started | | | | Use cooking spray. |
| cooking healthier, these tips will act as your inspiration | | | | 7. Instead of cooking chicken with the skin: |
| to continue using healthier alternatives in preparing soul | | | | Consider removing the skin from chicken before |
| food. These healthy changes allow you to eat healthier | | | | cooking and marinate to add flavor and moistness. By |
| without sacrificing taste. It may surprise you how little | | | | removing the skin you eliminate artery clogging |
| the original taste is sacrificed. Of course it may not | | | | cholesterol. |
| taste as good as your grandmas, but you'll find your | | | | These are a few examples of using healthier |
| taste buds applauding. | | | | ingredients in your soul food recipes. As you use them |
| Here's a short list of healthier alternatives for cooking | | | | you'll discover how little taste you're sacrificing. In |
| soul food. | | | | addition, your health won't have to suffer like our |
| | | | ancestors may have had to. Because of these |
| 1. Instead of using whole milk: | | | | healthier cooking tips now you can have your soul |
| Use reduced 1 or 2% milk when a recipe requires milk. | | | | food ... at eat it too! |