There's no food like 'soul food', as I can attest, having grown up in the deep South. Do diabetics have to give up this tasty fare? Not if they go for healthier options.

The popular "The New Soul Food Cookbook for People with Diabetes" has been edited and re-released. The book's authors are also responsible for developing the 'Soul food pyramid.'

With the high rates of diabetes, hypertension and heart disease reaching horrendous levels in the U.S., today's African Americans are facing health concerns not shared by their ancestors. In efforts to assist the 3.2 million Africans Americans with diabetes and other medical conditions as well as those simply seeking to eat more healthy, "The New Soul Food Cookbook for People with Diabetes" is a great tool to make it possible to learn how to obtain a healthier lifestyle as well as eat most soul food favorites without compromising flavor.

"The liberal use of salt and sweeteners in foods that are prepared traditionally is killing us," write Gaines and Weaver. In "The New Soul Food Cookbook for People with Diabetes," they show how a few simple ingredient substitutions will not change the flavor of many soul food favorites.

Sounds like something I want in my kitchen! How do you modify favorite recipes to make them healthier?