Life University’s scenic 110-acre campus is situated in Marietta, Georgia, just around the corner from Atlanta. Needless to say, many of us grew up with southern comfort food as part of our culture and our plates. Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green bean casseroles and so many more familiar dishes are a staple at community potlucks. Yet, it isn’t a secret that the southerner’s diet plan isn’t exactly the healthiest or most sustainable on a regular basis. How can we enjoy our time-honored favorites while also keeping nutrition and health in mind?

Lightly Southern

Piedmont Healthcare shares some tips from Nancy Waldeck, a chef for Cancer Wellness at Piedmont, in their article “How to make healthier Southern food”.

  • Select healthier fats. Remember to limit the amount of fat and salt in your dishes. You can do this through roasting, baking, sauteing or grilling instead of frying. Air frying has become a popular and healthier alternative to traditional frying, though it requires owning an air fryer that will cost about $100 dollars. Alternatively, use healthier oils like olive oil or avocado oil instead of butter for cooking and flavoring.
  • Herbs and spices add nutrition and plenty of flavor, so less salt is needed.
  • Roasting or grilling vegetables help improve the natural sweet taste rather than frying or adding lots of meat to the plate.
  • Fruity desserts are a southern staple, so whip up a fruity dessert and top with chopped nuts instead of a crust. Try to avoid adding extra sugar and cream as much as possible.

Lighter Southern Cooking Resources 

Interested in a career in Nutrition? Visit life.edu and learn more about Life University’s B.S in Nutrition program.