Fried Food Alternatives for the Black Community

Among African-American adults, nearly 48 percent are clinically obese (including 37.1 percent of men and 56.6 percent of women. Statistics such as these become even more alarming when considering the many health risks that are associated with obesity.

Stats on Obesity in the U.S. by Age and Race

When we think about food, we typically do not think about what is going into the meals that we are consuming. We are more caught up with the taste and the looks of the dish. Some of our favorite dishes are fried chicken, collard greens with turkey necks, and macaroni and cheese, and cornbread. This is the standard on the table.

Fried Chicken, Collard Greens, Corn Bread, and Sweet Potatoes

As a community, we as black people must pay more attention to what we put in our bodies. We are prone to getting diabetes, high blood pressure, and other diseases that may affect our bodies. There are alternatives to eating better, without it being boring.

Here are some tips for eating healthier without losing the flavors that you love the most.

1. Instead of frying your food in vegetable oil, you can throw it all in an air fryer. (There are several brands to choose from.)

2. If cooking with butter, use unsalted butter to reduce the amount of salt that you may already be consuming.

3. Baking your food and vegetables is also a great alternative to cleaner and healthy eating.

4. Using a high smoke point oil like avocado oil, olive oil, or grapeseed oil is also healthier is an effective way to cook.

These are just some simple ways to help change the way you eat to live a longer life. Eating healthy does not have to be boring, especially when you have great alternative ways of making sure that you are getting the protein and vitamins that you need for your body!