Classes aim to hook US blacks on African foods

(AP)—Rickey Dorsey knows he doesn't have the best diet, and he's taking a class in African cooking in hope of making improvements.

The Birmingham man is among about 500 people across the U.S. participating in a program to learn about cooking fresh foods based on traditional African cuisine.

Aimed mainly at blacks but open to anyone, the "Taste of African Heritage" classes are sponsored by the Boston-based nonprofit group Oldways.

Sessions are being conducted nationwide to encourage people to skip burger joints and processed meals and get comfortable in the kitchen cooking .

Dorsey says he's learning things that he can use. Oldways says follow-up evaluations show participants are losing weight and inches off their waist, plus seeing a reduction in their blood pressure.

Classes continue through next year.

© 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Citation: Classes aim to hook US blacks on African foods (2014, July 27) retrieved 19 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2014-07-classes-aim-blacks-african-foods.html
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