Indian Fry Bread
Posted on Dec 26, 2008 by
Sherry Lucas
When Indians were moved onto reservations, they were suddenly without their traditional foods such as wild game and corn. They were given rations of flour, salt and lard. Fry bread was created. It is synonymous with powwows and western fairs. It is the official state bread of South Dakota. An Indian taco is a large piece of fry bread piled high with taco fillings. Small pieces are enjoyed with a meal in place of a slice of bread. Wojapi is a fruit sauce of blackberries or blueberries in which pieces of fry bread are dipped in as a dessert.
Fry bread is delicious! But is it good for you? Is it good for the Indians who eat it regularly? According to an article written in August, 2005, it can be a definite health hazard. Type 2 diabetes is prevalent among Indians, almost double what it is among the general population. Fry bread is not solely responsible, but at 700 calories for a plate size piece with 27 grams of fat, it can certainly be considered a contributor to health problems. However, it is deeply imbedded in the culture and it's hard to imagine that it ever will not be.