Unequal Plates: How Food Insecurity Drives Health Disparities

As we celebrate Juneteenth, we have to keep in mind the historical implications of enslavement on Black communities. Many of our favorite cultural dishes and cooking styles are directly linked to centuries of food insecurity. There is a large movement towards making our foods taste the same with healthier ingredients that can nourish both our bodies and our souls.

Access to nutritious food is a basic need, not a luxury—but for millions, it’s still out of reach. Food insecurity is directly linked to higher rates of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and mental health conditions.Communities of color are disproportionately affected due to historical and systemic injustices, including redlining, food deserts, and economic inequality. Processed foods are cheap and accessible, while fresh produce often isn't.

I remember hearing my grandmother say she didn't know how much the food she ate was impacting her body. Even with her diabetes under control, she still had a stroke, and in her last weeks we talked about how she wanted me to teach other people how to avoid the same. Here is one of my favorite soul food recipes- Greens!

You’ll need: 

• Greens (collards, kale, or whatever you like)

• Spices (I like paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder, but its up to you)

• 1/4-1/2 cup apple cider vinegar (this is to taste)

• 1/4 cup Sriracha (also to taste but this is the secret to get the smokey flavor)

• Lemon (if cooking on the stove)

To make them like my grandma did in the crock pot, it’s super easy! Though this isn't her recipe, its mine!

1. Clean and chop your greens. Add them to the crockpot. 

2. Add spices, apple cider vinegar, and sriracha! I recommend starting with small amounts and tasting to see what else needs to be added. You can always add more, you can't go backwards!

3. Let em go! I cook on high overnight or all day and keep an eye on the water level.

If you want them quick, light, and citrusy for the summer, it takes 10 minutes!

1. Clean and chop your greens. Add them to the skillet or wok on medium with 1/3 cup of water.

2. Add paprika and garlic powder to taste and the juice of 1 fresh lemon.

3. Cover and let the steam help you to cook them down.

4. Keep checking the water level and turning so you don't burn them.

   
   

Why lemon? Citrus like lemon juice helps your body to absorb the iron in the dark leafy greens! I use lemon when cooking all of my green vegetables.

Part of my juneteenth celebration includes showing up for my fellow Black women at our UpLift Her event! Our health outcomes matter, and it starts by making sure we can fuel our bodies and our minds.

How can you help make food insecurities a thing of the past?

- Supporting the expansion of good quality fresh produce in all neighborhoods

- Supporting urban farms and school meal programs

- Advocating for policies that treat food as a human right

Your LivingScript: Lifestyle Medicine includes creating positive impacts on those around us- consider supporting a local grocer rather than a big box store to promote bringing healthy food to everyone!

Want some help translating those old recipes to make healthier classics? Schedule with me!

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