These Three Foods Prove Black Food Is Healthy

a box full of carrots, onions, celery and onions
Alyssa Guzik
October 20, 2024

We got greens, beans, potatoes, tomatoes… and all the other fixins of the Black culinary kitchen. Still, health experts say Black or soul food is unhealthy. But something doesn’t sit right about that.

Auntie’s collard greens are an absolute necessity at Sunday or holiday dinner. Packed with vitamins A, C, and iron, these “bad for you”  greens are also now ground up and used in high-end skin care products.

Some like them candied, while others like them with butter. Yams are delicious and healthy powerhouses, but they’re getting a bad rap while being snatched up faster than a sale at a designer store by a non-Black designer 👀. Suddenly, they’re in face creams and serums, marketed as “exotic” ingredients that can magically transform your skin. Can you say “colonization”?

Hibiscus isn’t just for your granny’s tea—this floral delight is known for its antioxidants and blood pressure benefits. Hibiscus extract is the star ingredient in overpriced skincare – the same one Black folks have been using in teas and tinctures for ages.

Next time you see collard greens on the menu or a hibiscus serum in the beauty aisle, remember: these foods deserve their spotlight—not just for their taste but for their rich BLACK heritage.

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