(BlackDoctor.org) — I recently heard a pastor describe the meal ritual of funerals at his church; a typical meal consisted of fried chicken and mac n cheese, washed down with beverages like fruit punch.
Listening to the pastor talk, I couldn’t help but think about how such meals would inevitably lead to the next funeral.
Our Diet Is Not Helping Us
Research now clearly demonstrates that eating certain foods substantially contributes to obesity, disease and premature death. Sadly, the diseases that kill the most African Americans (heart disease, cancer, stroke,
and diabetes) are very often preventable, simply through a proper diet
and lifestyle. There are many delicious healthful recipe variations on
traditional soul food (which is typically very high in saturated fats and sugar,
clogging our arteries and raising our blood sugar).
So why aren’t we adopting healthier eating habits, despite all this research, despite all the statistics, and despite all the preventable deaths? Many people, including myself, feel that we need to look to church leaders, and other trusted leaders, to help lead the way to better health.
Spiritual & Social Leaders: More Than a Century of Trust
For more than one hundred years, African Americans have embraced religious, civic and social organizations, including fraternities and sororities, as sources of support and friendship. To this day, church pastors and heads of such organizations are often viewed as revered community leaders.
The decisions of these leaders very often impact the lives of their members in a multitude of ways – spiritually, emotionally, and very likely, physically.
Smoking is a great example of the positive effects that leaders can have in the community: It is well known that cigarettes are harmful to our health. They contribute to early death, just like unhealthy eating habits. It was not long ago that cigarette smoking was socially acceptable at both meetings and social events sponsored by such organizations…but not anymore. Anyone would be scorned if he or she lit up a cigarette at a church, NAACP, or fraternity meeting these days.
