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The Blackout - February 05 2010
By Temia P. Griffin
Collard greens, macaroni & cheese and chicken-the tastiest hazard to an African-American's health. Photo courtesy of homerestored.com.
Soul food is deeply rooted in the African American culture and heritage, and it is difficult for black individuals to stray away from meals high in calories, cholesterol, sodium and saturated fat. Utilization of these food ingredients puts African Americans in place to have high risks of cardiovascular disease and hypertension.
The state of Louisiana is well-known for its spicy cuisine, seasoned recipes and high-quality seafood, but its obesity percentage for the adult population is a whopping 29.5 percent, which ranks Louisiana in third place as one of the fattest states in the United States. Louisiana Chef Gason Yen Nelson is against claims that most food options in Louisiana are unhealthy, but he’s also not a fan of many African American’s diets of high salt and sugar. Through his company Full of Flavor, Nelson promotes a healthy lifestyle by serving his clients with traditional yet nutritious alternatives in cuisine through catering, event coordinating, on site personal chef services and meal delivery services.
“I’m all about enjoying my food,” says Nelson. “Food is a beautiful thing. I like my fried chicken and my ribs, but I can eat a salad all day; It’s all about eating smart.”
Nelson explains that African Americans eat the highly saturated foods because “it is in our heritage.” Nelson says, “We take shortcuts as African Americans. We take so many things out of our foods. It’s natural and fresh already. Let the food speak for itself, and let the food do what it is there to do.”
Although blacks are exposed to these unhealthy substances through heritage, Nelson says that it’s all in our mindset. If blacks begin to think about healthy food intake, they will gradually begin living a more healthy lifestyle. “Have bigger salad bowls with gumbo. Cut back on processed foods.”
Chef Nelson cooking up some healthy yet delicious Louisiana cuisine. Photo courtesy of chefgason.com
As the chef for famous individuals such as the New Orleans Saint’s Reggie Bush and high-ranking government officials like the judges of the New Orleans Civil District Courts, Nelson has first handedly helped to promote a more nutritious way to enjoy the traditional food African Americans love to eat.
While cooking for Beacon Light’s Bishop Darryl S. Brister in New Orleans, Nelson would bring a more ‘healthy diet’ to Brister’s household three days a week by providing meals like marinated chicken breasts, grilled fish and chicken, salads and sweet creamed mashed potatoes. Nelson encourages African Americans to utilize these meal ideas for large family dinners, holidays and during the week.
It is possible to cook the traditional soul food meals African Americans cherish in a more nutritious way. “Put your gravy on the side and dip your food in it,” he says. “Cut down cholesterol and fat by using olive oil on bread instead of butter.”
But as Chef Nelson said, in order to improve the traditional diets of the African American culture, you must being to think in a healthy manner. “It all begins in the mindset,” says Nelson.
