Comfort from the Bayou — A Smart Balance Take on a Southern Classic

When the weather turns chilly, there’s nothing quite like a bowl of gumbo to warm the soul. This week’s Smart Balance Lunch Box, Comfort from the Bayou, brings a taste of Louisiana right here to Preston County — with a homestead-fresh, feel-good twist.

Gumbo has deep roots in Southern culture. It’s said to be Louisiana’s “state dish,” born from the blending of African, French, and Native American cooking traditions. The word gumbo itself comes from the West African word for okra, one of the traditional thickeners used in the stew. Every region and every cook has their own version — some with seafood, some with sausage, and some with both. Ours celebrates the same soulful spirit but lightens things up Smart Balance style.

Our Gumbo, Reimagined
Instead of heavy sausage or shrimp, we’ve crafted a Chicken & Mixed Bean Gumbo that keeps all the deep, smoky flavor without the extra fat or allergens. Tender chicken, hearty beans, onions, celery, peppers, and herbs simmer slowly in a Cajun-style roux until rich and flavorful. We use long-grain rice for a light, fluffy base that soaks up every spoonful.
Why skip the sausage and seafood?
Because balance matters. Sausage adds saturated fat and sodium — fine for a treat, but not for an everyday lunch. And shrimp, while delicious, isn’t the safest option right now due to recent contamination concerns in imported products. By focusing on chicken and beans, we keep the protein lean, the fiber high, and the meal wholesome enough for all ages.

Wholesome Sides That Shine
Every Lunch Box comes with Roasted Yams with Brown Sugar and Herbs — a naturally sweet, nutrient-rich side packed with vitamin A, potassium, and fiber — and a Sweet Corn Bread Square brushed with a hint of honey-butter. Together, they make the perfect trio: savory, sweet, and soul-satisfying.

Nutrition at a Glance

• Calories: ≈ 520 per meal
• Protein: ≈ 28 g
• Fiber: ≈ 9 g
• Fat: ≈ 14 g
• Sodium: ≈ 690 mg
• Added Sugar: ≈ 8 g
  (Values are estimates per full box, including sides.)

AllergensContains Wheat (roux, cornbread), Eggs, Milk, and Celery.
No shellfish, nuts, or pork ingredients are used.

A Little Fun from the Bayou
Did you know? In traditional Cajun cooking, the “holy trinity” — onion, bell pepper, and celery — is as sacred as salt and pepper. Every gumbo starts with it! And many Louisiana families judge a cook by how dark and silky their roux is. We take that same care here, stirring slowly until our roux reaches a deep, nutty brown — the secret to that rich, comforting flavor.
From the bayous of Louisiana to the hills of West Virginia, this dish bridges comfort and culture — proof that you don’t need to be born on the bayou to cook from the heart.
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So grab a spoon, warm your hands, and taste Comfort from the Bayou, made the Smart Balance way — fresh, nourishing, and full of soul.