In Hapi Living:
More hereThe African Heritage Diet is a cultural model for healthy eating, designed specifically for the members of the African Diaspora. The model includes a completely new Food Pyramid, which is drastically different from the standard American model
Image courtesy of Hapi Living
Whereas breads, pastas and grains make up the base of the Standard American Food Pyramid, The African Heritage Diet Pyramid is based on physical activity, socialization, and leafy green vegetables. Similar to the Standard American Food Pyramid, The African Heritage Diet Pyramid’s following tiers are comprised of fruits and vegetables in addition to nuts, beans, and tubers. The African Heritage Diet also focuses heavily on flavor, which we all know is a huge part of African American cuisine. Instead of salty animal pieces, African Heritage meals are enhanced with herbs, spices and sauces. Standard soul food dishes utilize smoked pork, turkey and beef parts to flavor even the most standard vegetable dish. So even when you’re eating your favorite collard greens, you’re still eating a meat: on the cabbage, the baked beans—even the potatoes! Although delicious, this way of cooking is incredibly high in carbohydrates and sodium, which is the leading cause of hypertension, high blood pressure and heart problems in African Americans.
