Avoid the “Southern Diet”? What, Really, Do You Mean?

Abstract

As far as eating patterns go, the southern diet is often viewed as synonymous with poor food choices. But is it really? How do we know? When attempting to balance patient beliefs, habits, and cultural norms with best evidence, we must interpret and apply research evidence regarding dietary patterns such as the “Southern Diet.” We address the complexities of interpreting dietary pattern–based research evidence and present the cases of 2 born and bred southern adults with potential to benefit from culturally appropriate nutrition and dietary counseling.