A few months ago, I had the pleasure of attending an advanced viewing of Soul Food Junkies, a documentary by Bryon Hunt about his personal family story and journey with health and soul food. It is a good catalyst, especially for people of color, to start addressing how conventional and “traditional” soul food, made with high levels of salt, fat, sugar etc is in fact not feeding our souls at all. It is however increasing diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, colon cancer, just to name a few of preventable diseases.
I have a personal fondness for the sweet potato pies, collards, macaroni and cheese, but the adjustments I have made in these comfort foods have made these dishes more healthful. Instead of using regular dairy, I’ve substituted for plant-based dairy alternatives like Daiya. For my pie crusts, I’ve use milled chia seeds to add a kick of nutrition. There are ways to still have your comfort food without all the health discomfort as a side effect.
If you missed the first round screenings around the country and it’s first showing on PBS on Monday night, now is your chance to watch Soul Food Junkies online thanks to Independent Lens (video below). The documentary will be available online until February 11th. Several screening events are still taking place with panels and the list is available here. Options to purchase the DVD are also available on the PBS website.
Watch Soul Food Junkies on PBS. See more from Independent Lens.
