Some say being religious improves your health. Others say it can make you fat, thus hurting your health.

One 2006 study found that Southern Baptists were the most likely of religious folks to be obese. Don't blame the southern cooking, though. The study found that that outlook on life is one culprit -- serious believers tend to see God's will defining their lives, and not personal choice. Perhaps groups that frown on smoking and drinking tend to go overboard when it comes to restricting food choices. And of course, there's the issue of eating at church functions. Doughnuts, coffee, potlucks, ice cream socials -- high-fat foods are part of the culture.

There's a flip side to this argument. Men who turn to religion, rather than food, for comfort tend to keep extra pounds off. And in some circles, health is the newest form of ministry. Some churches include in their missions goals for sports and fitness. Several churches in my city even have gymnasiums and offer fitness classes and athletic programs.

What's your belief. Does church make you fat? Fit? Or somewhere in between?

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While many rock stars meet an unfortunate end due to drug use, one man is taking a new look at Elvis Presley's death and what caused it. Was it drugs that did him in, or burgers?

James Marsh's new documentary, The Burger and the King, takes a look at Elvis' eating habits, starting with his poor, burgerless childhood and chronicling his love of fatty foods throughout his adult life. Fat and calorie content are included. A Southern boy through and through, the King was drawn toward unhealthy, fried and fatty foods, and his hunger seemed to grow right along with his fame.

The documentary will premiere at the IFC Center's Stranger Than Fiction festival, but you can also catch it on You Tube if you're so inclined.

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Several years ago a friend of mine moved down to the Atlanta area. I flew down for a visit before they even had their boxes unpacked. As we were driving along a road we saw a big stand advertising boiled peanuts. Being from the north we were both a bit puzzled and had never heard of such a thing. Curiosity got the better of us and we pulled over to try it out. My first impression wasn't too great as boiled peanuts don't smell all that great. But the flavor was good -- soft and a bit salty. It turns out that roadside treat had some health value as well.

Boiled peanuts have up to four times the phytochemicals of raw peanuts. Researchers think that antioxidants from the shell are absorbed during boiling -- making these tiny treats a nutritional powerhouse.

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Southern cooking is famous for being not only delicious, satisfying, and filling, but also high in fat and calories. As good as fried might taste it doesn't do much for our bodies other than pack on the pounds. But a new trend, called by some the South Eats Diet, is taking all that goodness and modifying it in a way that helps it do less damage to waistlines without losing flavor.

By switching up the cooking method and adding in some new innovative ingredients meals can have that rich southern flavor without the guilt. Sounds good to me!

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