How and why Black people have become obese in huge numbers is alarming. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 70 percent of Black men and 80 percent of Black women are either overweight or obese. Worse, it is impacting youths, too, as nearly 26 percent of Black children between the ages of 6 and 17 are obese. Obesity triggers heart disease, cancer, Type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol at rates far exceeding other races. Believe it or not, 112,000 deaths a year are obesity-related through heart issues, strokes, diabetes, high blood pressure, you name it.
Processed Foods
Processed foods became in vogue in the last two decades, and they have no health benefits. They, in fact, destroy the vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and gut flora that help a body flourish. They include packaged cakes and cookies, canned foods, white bread and pasta made with refined white flour, frozen dinners or snacks, boxed meal mixes, sugary cereal, etc.
Author Michael Pollan calls processed food “edible foodlike substances” and notes wrapped cheese is called “singles” because it’s not really cheese and that margarine is a processed substitute for butter. While these products may be cheaper, they are costly to good health. These foods add weight and increase the likelihood of debilitating illnesses like heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and more. Manufacturers of processed foods seem more interested in profits than people’s health. And the beloved Coke or any soda is just as harmful. Drink water!
All good ideas. Soul food should be limited to holidays only. When I was growing up, it was only served on Sundays and holidays, and once I left home, I never ate it unless I was at home. Despite its name, soul food is extremely unhealthy as is most southern food (that's why it tastes so good, though).
Avoiding white-colored ingredients is a good idea too. Most foods don't come white (except eggs). White rice, sugar, mayo, and salt contain processed chemicals and should be avoided. Ranch dressing too. I see plenty of huge black women order a salad with ranch or wings with ranch. Is that what they ordered or was that ranch with a salad and ranch with wings?