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by cglace 3819 days ago
>No mention of controlling for a predilection for sweet tea, fried everything, and vegetables being limited to fried okra or green tomatoes.

You left out collards, green beans, field beans, turnips, turnip greens, etc. Personally, I find the traditional southern sides as tasty as the BBQ/Fried chicken.
3 comments
mhurron 3819 days ago
> You left out collards, green beans, field beans, turnips, turnip greens, etc. Personally, I find the traditional southern sides as tasty as the BBQ/Fried chicken.

Well traditionally those are cooked in some sort of animal fat, so yes, people seem to love them.

My father in law thought he loved Black Eyed Peas. Then as his health got worse as he got older and did less his wife tried to make food healthier so dropped the ham hock from the pot. Turns out he didn't like Black Eyed Peas at all, he just liked the taste of ham.

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wil421 3819 days ago
Dont forget non-fried Okra, Rutabaga, Pole Beans, Corn, Mustard Greens, Succotash, Lima Beans and Black Eyed Peas (these are traditionally consumed on New Years Day to bring good luck).

Its not all fried food in the South. The sides are definitely where it's at.

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surge 3819 days ago
Chow chow, sweet potatoes, beets, corn, etc.

To me the fried stuff and BBq is the once a week or less meals that are considered reserved for a big family sit down dinner or special occasions, they aren't an everyday thing. I wouldn't say we eat more of it then say any other region eats pizza, burgers or other traditionally unhealthy foods.

That said the years of poverty does have a distinct effect on the culture and work ethic here. I wouldn't be surprised if it had an effect on diet and physiological effects.

Our dinner last night was some baked chicken with italian seasoning, and potatoes and carrots similarly baked with same seasoning. Wasn't that healthy, albeit healthier than most non-vegetarian meals, but certainly wasn't fried.

That said, I know quite a few people with heart disease, etc, and honestly, I can say diet definitely played a role in it, as well as possible smoking/drinking.

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