Soul food is a staple of the African American community in Syracuse and across the country. But it’s not very healthy due to the high fat, sugar, and sodium content. A local effort aims to introduce alternative, healthier ingredients that don’t sacrifice tradition.
Recipe traditions hold for generations, and there’s often a resistance to breaking…or even tinkering with them.
Charles Jackson chairs the Wellness Committee with 100 Black Men of Syracuse.
“It's culture. This is how my grandmother did it. This is how my great-grandmother did it," Jackson said. "That adjustment is tough."
The group has organized an event Thursday evening that aims to spur discussion while offering free samples.
“The whole idea is, especially with Thanksgiving coming, to have a conversation about how can we make these traditional dishes taste better and be better for us," Jackson said.
African Americans face disproportionately higher rates of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, and diet is a major factor. Jackson says, for example, using darker greens can improve gut, bone, brain, and heart health. And, using agave or beet sugar is better than white sugar.
“I look at it like this: Before African Americans were here, we had a different diet," Jackson said. "When we came here, we adjusted our diet because we had to. Now we need to readjust our diet. We're not living the way we used to. And so we need to make that move towards a healthier diet.”
Aside from cultural barriers, Jackson says there are also systemic barriers like food deserts.
“The juxtaposition of the $0.99 store or corner store relative to an actual supermarket. We as a group typically don't get access to as much fresh fruits and vegetables," Jackson said.
Thursday’s event called “Soul Food Junkies Part 2” begins at 6 pm at the Dunbar Center on South State Street.
