TheVegucator Preserving Black Men:
By Dawn Hilton-Williams
A Guide to Dismantling Chronic Disease Management
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ccording to the 2021 Mecklenburg County Community Health Assessment, Black men face disproportionately high rates of chronic illness, with 50% more likely deaths from heart disease than white men and twice the rate of diabetes-related mortality. These local disparities mirror national patterns, where the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data shows Black men are 30% more likely to die from heart disease and 60% more likely to develop diabetes.
Symptom management
Too often, our focus on chronic disease is limited to masking and managing symptoms rather than addressing root causes. While medications do help regulate blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol, they do nothing to halt disease’s forward progression. This is why our loved ones still experience repeat hospitalizations and preventable deaths, even while following prescribed treatment plans that typically include multiple medications. Because the power to transform our health lies in our everyday choices, a 100% whole food, plant-based (WFPB) lifestyle stands as our most powerful tool in the fight to prevent, arrest, and reverse our top chronic illnesses. And while most believe genetics determine their health destiny, science reveals the empowering truth that DNA loads the gun but it’s what you choose to place at the ends of your forks that pulls the chronic illness trigger.
What about my protein?
Scan the QR code below to view the recipe for Loaded Farro Salad by chef Dawn Hilton-Williams.
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Systemic inequities such as lack of access to fresh produce, absence of evidence-based education supported by peer review and the prevalence of food swamps fuel these disparities. In these areas, fast-food establishments and convenience stores selling highly processed foods dramatically outnumber healthy food options by a ratio north of 4:1. These conditions make it significantly harder to adopt lifestyle changes that support optimal nutrition.
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Contrary to popular belief, all animals get their protein from plants; it is processed through their digestive systems and passed along to you. Aside from the protein being recycled, their digestive process also strips away fiber and crucial nutrients, making it impossible to pass along the fiber your body needs. According to the Institute of Medicine, adults need a daily offering of 50-70 grams of protein and 25-38 grams of fiber, all of which is easily achieved with WFPB foods such as: a cup of cooked black beans (15g protein and 15g fiber) brown rice (14g protein and 4g fiber) or cooked
lentils (18g of protein and 16g of fiber). By choosing easy to prepare, affordable and minimally processed plant-based foods, you’ll get plenty of complete protein directly from the source while benefitting from nutrients and fiber, which support heart and gut health.
Four easy steps to optimal wellness
Take the first steps toward better health with these small but transformative changes: 1 Get Cooking: Try the original, flava-filled recipe included in this article and experience how delicious and affordable WFPB eating can be. Each issue, I share a new flava-packed recipe that makes healthy eating both easy and enjoyable. 2 Start Small: Commit to one WFPB meal per day for 10 days, then increase to two meals per day for the following 10 days. 3 Learn More: Explore trusted resources like Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (pcrm.org) and Power is Giving (powerisgiving. org) to gain knowledge about how and why a WFPB lifestyle is effective. 4 Get Support: Share your journey with family and friends to build accountability and community.
A legacy of change
Every Black man who reclaims his health strengthens the foundation of our community. By dismantling preventable and reversible chronic diseases through the power of intentional lifestyle choices, we restore joy and generational wellness, uplifting family and preserving the vitality of our communities for generations to come. P