Soul food recipes continue to maintain their popularity with consumers. The Great Recession is credited with the growing popularity. Because the plates have a reputation for sticking to the ribs or having staying power. For example, eating the average soul food stays with the average person 2-3 hours longer than Chinese food. And it stays up to an hour longer than Italian food, which ranked second in this University of California study.

These recipes have helped many African-American families get through the most difficult times in this nation’s history. Many medical professionals have questioned the health concerns of this traditional Southern cuisine. Why? Due to its high content of salt, fat and calories. But like most kitchens that stand the test of time, it is adapting to changing consumer concerns.

Now, healthy food for the soul is one of the fastest growing cuisines. Now you can find more restaurants, food manufacturers, and even recipe website publishers that cater to this new trend. By offering more menu items with less salt, fat and calories, you continue to grow healthier.

These are the most viewed questions for the month of August 2010. Many of the questions reflect the health concerns that more consumers have regarding their diets.

1. What is the best substitute for using Fatback and Ham Hocks?

Ham back fat and hocks used to be staples for flavoring soul food dishes. For example, kale, black-eyed peas, pinto beans, and other southern vegetable dishes. But because of the high fat, calorie, and sodium content, many people turn to smoked turkey necks as a healthier alternative. Smoked turkey necks are low in fat and sodium, as well as having the benefit of giving foods that savory, smoky flavor.

2. I have to cut out fried foods for health reasons. What is the healthiest alternative to fried dishes?

A healthier alternative to deep frying is what is called oven frying, this is one of the fastest growing cooking techniques, due to the health benefits it has over deep frying. It has many benefits, especially for people with heart problems, weight problems, and those who want to avoid it.

If done correctly, frying in the oven can give you the same flavor benefits as deep frying. For example, the tasty and crunchy texture, without the health hazards. Now you’ll find more people enjoying oven fried chicken, French fries, onion rings, shrimp, and all the other popular foods.

3. I love soul food desserts. But I need to cut back on sugar, what’s the best sugar substitute that doesn’t taste like motor oil?

One of the best alternatives to white sugar that you can use in desserts is agave nectar or agave syrup. Compared to sugar, it has fewer health problems. It’s 31% sweeter than sugar, so you can use less. It’s great in cookies, cakes, cobblers, and other places where you’d normally use white sugar.

Another advantage of using Agave is that it has little to no effect on blood sugar or insulin levels, making it a great healthy alternative to granulated sugar. You can often find agave in the health food section of most supermarkets or health food stores and online as well.