Written By Courtney McMahan, RD

As with most forms of comfort food, the mention of southern cuisine typically conjures less-than-healthy associations. All things fried, buttery, and sugary come to mind. Take one glance at the recipe page on Paula Deen’s website, and in no time you’ll be craving a meal that will send you into a food coma. But before you head off to clear out your grocery store’s entire butter inventory, what if I told you that you could experience the taste of southern hospitality without needing to unfasten your belt buckle when you finish?

Despite its unhealthy reputation, Southern food utilizes many fresh, local ingredients that can create a hearty meal to nourish both the soul and the body. Check out these five recipes for healthy southern cooking.

Oven-Fried Chicken

You’d be hard-pressed to find an entree more central to southern cooking than fried chicken, but the breading and oil often make it a calorie bomb. This oven-fried recipe is lighter while still being crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.

Crunchy “Fried” Okra

Okra is an ingredient you can feel great about adding to your diet. It’s rich in fiber, folate, magnesium, and vitamins C and A. This oven-fried okra uses significantly less oil and breading, but still creates the crunchy texture and savory flavor that make this dish so popular.

Chicken Salad

Great for a quick dinner, lunch meal prep, or serving at a small gathering; chicken salad is extremely versatile. Excessive use of mayonnaise is often the culprit of driving up the calories in this dish. This recipe packs a lot of vitamins, minerals, and fiber while reducing calories by incorporating a lot of produce: grapes, celery, onions, and relish. To further reduce calories and increase protein, plain greek yogurt could also be used in the place of mayonnaise.

Kickin’ Collards

Collard greens are a southern staple that don’t need modifications to be light and healthy. The full-flavor version is already low calorie and filled with nutrients like vitamin K, calcium, and vitamin C. In this recipe, bacon, onions, and garlic add plenty of flavor to the greens.

Low-Cal Banana Pudding

No southern meal is complete without a traditional dessert, and banana pudding is always a tasty go-to. By choosing this low-cal version over Paula Deen’s recipe, you’ll save yourself more than 250 calories per serving!