Blacks suffer an inordinate amount of hypertension, diabetes, obesity and subsequently heart disease. Much of this can be traced to nutritional habits. Some of these habits stem from the days of the antebellum south, rather than traditional and healthier African dietary practices.

"Soul food" is a staple in may African-american homes. Some of these foods have high nutritional value, particularly greens, beans, squash and other green and yellow vegetables. But many of the aspects of this eating are high in fat content