Why do African Americans usually have bad dietary habits?

[Socialrealist]

In almost every African American gathering I've attended over the years (I have black friends), the food served are lacking in healthy food. My next door apartment neighbor (who is 3/4 African American and married to a white woman) absolutely hates fresh meat, vegetables and fruits, preferring instead to eat only processed or pre-cooked meats. Sometimes I think he's simply just lazy to cook.

[madhatters4]

a few reasons why
1. poor socioeconomic status is a big one. if you drive through poor parts of inner city you'll see pretty much no fresh grocers. it's all processed, boxed, preserved, etc. why? because it's cheaper to produce and thus cheaper to sell
2. education. sadly the African American population is often under educated in comparison to other races. lack of education means lack of understanding of how the food you eat impacts you.
3. their history. my family is a very well educated black family. but historically as a result of being poor my family is very accustomed to eating "soul food". soul foods are usually fresh prepared but often are fattier cuts of meat, heavily seasoned, buttered, or salted, etc... as far as my family has come from post slavery poor education days those foods are still somewhat a deep ingrained part of our family life. so we still on occasion will eat foods that are terribly unhealthy

[BertMacklinFBI]

if its gatherings, I'm sure its a once in a while BBQ.

surely you can understand people like to enjoy good tasting food now and then, and then return to a healthier eating lifestyle until the next time they want to enjoy with a bunch of friends.

[itsallover]

Low socioeconomic status (a lot of black people are close to or below the poverty line) means that they turn to unhealthy convenience food that's cheap and affordable. Eating healthy food is actually pretty expensive.

[laughingdeer]

IKR? try a healthy weight loss diet. Even that cost more when you are supposed to eat less.

Berries, brown rice, dragon fruit, green tea, etc. good stuff costs good money.

[ashisimo]

it's not about their race it's more about social class, middle class African americans are generally slimmer because healthy food in the US cost more than say, mcdonalds dollar menu.

[TravisG]

I think it come from all the bad food that was given to us for us to eat. I'm talking about waste from the pig like pig feet, chitterlings, and pig ears to name a few. This is what we learn how to clean and cook. And with some blacks, the cycle continue to eat a lot of unhealthy food which is soul food.

[BraidsGirl]

Wait... don't most Americans, just in general, have bad eating habits?

[ikissedtheskyonce]

Yes we do but people like to use race as a scapegoat

[BraidsGirl]

@ikissedtheskyonce Nothing new here and he calls himself a "social realist"...

[9mfeo]

Probably because on average their poorer than white people. Thus, unhealthy food is cheaper.

[electromagnetic]

I really don't think this is a racial issue. I think this is a personal preferred issue. Or what's available around where they live.

[Sexualchrist]

Because they're American. I mean donuts for breakfast. What the fuck?

[pr3ttybr0wn]

You know good and well you don't have any black friends. i stopped reading there.

[Afrochick]

As a black person I agree.
Most African Americans come from low income communities.

Think about it. A 99 cent burger versus a 7 dollar salad?

[RandomPerson1324]

7 dollar salad?

Food is cheap if you make it at home

[amarahorrorstory]

@RandomPerson1324 you still got to buy the food to make it

[RandomPerson1324]

@amarahorrorstory well it doesn't cost $7. That's for sure.

[Afrochick]

@RandomPerson1234 What if it's organic? YEAH

[ikissedtheskyonce]

#dumbassgeneralization that is like me asking why do white people love starbucks
You do not know all black people's eating habits

[pooper89]

That's why over half of them have problems with obesity

[JtheGhost]

I wouldn't say African Americans in general it would be your eating dietary and lifestyle it's all up to choice when you chose to eat

[abc3643]

Because it costs a lot of money to eat healthy.

[Other_Tommy_Wiseau]

for a social realist, you kinda suck at it.

[Socialrealist]

which makes you upset :)

[Other_Tommy_Wiseau]

i wish it did. i love acting as if some dickhead pissed in my cheerios! :P

[RandomPerson1324]

Gross generalization...