“Soul Food” is Slave Food
Soul Food has killed more black people than the KKK!
Dick Gregory

We, African Americans, take pride in our “ Soul Food” but many of us do not realize that soul food originated
during slavery. Soul food consists of: fried, barbecued, or well done meats( chicken, beef pork, and fish); sugar and diary ladened cakes, pies, and breads; and salt pork or turkey meat pieces in collard, mustard greens or beans. Unfortunately, these food are noted for being high in fat, high in salt and high in sugar which are the leading causes of hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
 

This 400 plus years of unhealthy dietary regime was provided by the hands of the slave owner (master). The slave master’s goal was to fatten the slaves with only enough sustenance so that they could work Black people like a mule on the plantations, but no more than enough nourishment to keep slaves from dying or running way.

The main source of staple was salted pork, cornmeal, and blackstrapped molasses. The salted pork was the worst of the meats and it was almost always tainted or very close to being spoiled. The cornmeal was made into grits and cakes, and its starchy nature made the slave feel “full” and gave them a false sense of energy. The blackstrapped molasses was for the iron, B vitamins and other nutrients.

On such a limited diet, slaves became very malnourished because they lacked the necessary vitamins and minerals found in live foods such as fruit and vegetables. Some slaves on their “free time” could plant vegetable and fruit gardens. Sometimes the slave master would catch the slaves eating dirt. They thought the slave was loosing his or her mind. Unbeknownst to them, the slaves ate the dirt because they knew the red clay was rich in minerals and trace minerals., and consumed the dirt to make up for the malnourished diet.
 

During dusk, the slave had very little time to take care of the bare essentials— cooking, cleaning, and caring for the family. So, time was of the essence. Frying the food was quicker than baking. The food was highly seasoned in order to cover the foul odor from the tainted pork. The meat was always prepared well done, so that it would kill the worms that would come to the surface once under the fire. Iron was obtained from the food being cooked in an iron skillet and the oil was another source of energy.
 

Hence, African Americans were making do with what they had. So, why are we still making do, today? This was not our original diet. We are descendents of powerful African Kings and Queens who’s dietary lifestyle contributed to them building a mighty civilization. If we are to duplicate the great accomplishments of our African ancestors, we are going to have to return to some of the ways of the old.
 

The African diet was comprised of fresh, wholesome fruits and vegetables, grains, beans and a little sun dried fish This was discovered upon studying the stomach contents of the great pharoahs in Egypt (Khemet). The original healthy diet for the African Americans was created long ago in the land of Ancient Africa. By eating a more healthy diet designed with you in mind, the disease rate in the African American community will decline dramatically.

It is now time for us to let go of the "Slave" food diet and go the way of the Dynamic Diva Diet!