In Case You Didn’t Know – Our Southern Diet is Killing Us

I really don't think this is a major new flash but the American Heart Association published a report detailing the effects our Southern food has on our hearts. It's not good. We knew this right? Is there anything left good in the world we can eat?

Foods like Fried chicken, Liver and gravy, Buttered bread sounds yummy, right? For your taste buds maybe, but your heart hates this Southern-style diet. According to research published in Circulation, an American Heart Association journal, the traditional southern meal is associated with an increased risk of heart disease.

The report states:

In a large-scale study that explored the relationship between dietary patterns and heart disease risk, researchers found that people who regularly ate traditional Southern fare -- which they characterized as fried foods, fatty foods, eggs, processed meats, such as bacon and ham, organ meats like liver, and sugary drinks -- were at a higher risk for suffering a heart attack or heart-related death during the next 5.8 years. Previous research also links the Southern diet with increased stroke risk.

James M. Shikany, Dr.P.H. was the lead researcher. Dr. Shikany is also a nutritional epidemiologist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham's Division of Preventive Medicine. He state in the report:

"Regardless of your gender, race, or where you live, if you frequently eat a Southern-style diet you should be aware of your risk of heart disease and try to make some gradual changes to your diet,"

I'll turn 41 in September, I eat a "Southern-Style" diet on a regular basis. That's the way I grew up too. The older I get though, I worry a little more about my health. The report makes me think maybe it's time to really try to cut back on Grandma's Fried Chicken recipe and limit my cheeseburger intake a bit! I may start next week. or the next.