I agree Keltin! It's a common misconception though, that all southern food is bad for you. There are plenty of southern recipes like okra and tomatoes, a low country boil, blackened catfish, collards and rice and many more that are very "healthy". The ones that are high in fat and salt can be adjusted sometimes without giving up much of flavor.
I would like to speak along these lines. My Mother's only brother was married to one of the greatest cooks in the world. She knew it and she was very proud of it. Every day was like Sunday at their house, and Sundays were like Thanksgiving.
It was nothing for there to be 3 meats, several vegetables and as many casseroles, along with homemade rolls dripping with real butter, and tall layer cakes and a couple of rich pies.
One Sunday about an hour and a half after coming home from church and having the typical feast my uncle said he didnt feel well, got up and walked across the floor and fell down dead with a heart attack. He was 51 .... a couple of years younger than I am now !!!
Mother, on the other had, although she was a great cook, too, was always concerned with eating healthy. We ate just as well as my aunt and uncle. We had the same meats, just not fried, the rolls, but without the butter, the casseroles, but with about 1/3 of the butter.
Mother cooled broths and skimmed off the fat. We ate more of the fresh fruits and vegetables, which was easy as we raised them ourselves. The pies and cakes were saved for Sunday or Holidays. We also ate somewhat less salt than most other people, which is a big issue with high blood pressure.
Mother passed away recently at 86. She was healthy as a horse until about 4 months before her death.
I continue to cook the same way, and I never draw attention to the fact that I am cooking lighter, and no one has ever had anything but praise. Most foods I half the fat right off the bat and see how that works. Sometimes I bring it down even more after I see how that works. Most times it is never missed. If the dish suffers greatly, then I just wont make that dish except for special occasions.
I eat healthy at home about 6 days a week, but I never take it to 1) Other People's Houses, 2) Restaurants, 3) Holidays and Celebrations. I figure if I eat healthy the rest of the time, my body can forgive me for those few occasions.
You
can eat healthy, southern and deliciously with just a bit of change.
