The Tradition of African American Cuisine

Food is more than nourishment—it connects us to our history, culture, and family. In African American households, dairy has long been a staple. For many, it looks different from mainstream nutrition recommendations, but the way in which we eat it can still be very nourishing.

Unfortunately, many African Americans have significantly decreased their intake of dairy due to perceived poor health effects and concern about their tolerance to lactose. Additionally, given the lack of cultural representation in national nutrition communication, many African Americans do not associate our cultural ways of consuming dairy as healthy.

Our foods bring us to the table; they remind us of home no matter where we are. Through oral storytelling, our recipes have been passed down through our families to this current day.

As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, I always try to honor culture and family in my work with patients and communities. This way I can help them feel more connected to their health journey, for better sustainability and enjoyment.

In sharing my family's cultural recipes, I hope to remind other Black folks in this region—our cultural foods offer nutrition and value to our bodies and souls.

Traditional Caribbean-Style Sorrel Smoothie with Creamy Yogurt

Cultural Roots of Dairy Foods in African American Cuisine

Dairy foods have quietly woven itself into many of our traditional dishes. My family, for instance, has always cherished cornbread made with tangy buttermilk—a fermented dairy product that my dad recalls eating crumbled into a bowl of buttermilk as a childhood snack. Similarly, sorrel or red drink is a vibrant hibiscus-based drink, which pairs beautifully with creamy dairy ingredients in modern recipes like our Sorrel Smoothie. These foods connect us to the past while nourishing us today.

Lactose Intolerance and Dairy Options

Many African Americans experience lactose intolerance, but that doesn’t mean dairy foods needs to be off the table. Fermented dairy products like buttermilk and yogurt naturally contain less lactose, making them easier for many people to digest. Our cornbread recipe uses buttermilk, and our sorrel smoothie blends yogurt for a creamy, nutrient-rich twist on a cultural favorite.

Family, Food, and Tradition

Cooking with my family is more than preparing meals—it’s storytelling, laughter, and learning. Whether it’s my granny sharing culinary wisdom or my 7-month-old niece trying to nibble on everything that comes her way, these moments remind us of the power of food to connect generations. By embracing our cultural food traditions, we honor our ancestors’ wisdom while nourishing our futures.

Dairy Foods Add Flavor and Nutrition

Dairy foods can remain part of our cultural traditions while supporting our health. From cornbread to sorrel smoothies, our recipes reflect the richness of Black foodways. Try our Buttermilk Cornbread and Sorrel Smoothie recipes and join us in celebrating the legacy of food, family, and culture.

Samaria Grandberry is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Licensed Hair Practitioner, and the owner of Feeding the Root Nutrition. By obtaining her license as a Natural Hair Care Stylist and certification as a Trichologist, Samaria has established herself as a go-to expert in hair nutrition and diabetes management. Samaria combines her expertise in nutrition & hair science with her personal experiences to help women address the underlying causes of their hair loss and health challenges, particularly focusing on insulin resistance and metabolic health.

For many dads, back-to-school comes with early mornings, packed lunches, after-school pickup, homework, and practices. The daily race to get everyone out the door on time, mixed with juggling life demands, makes healthy eating challenging. Despite this, the busy back-to-school season also brings an opportunity to play an active role in building healthy habits at home.