Paula Deen Reveals Type 2 Diabetes
By Paula Spencer Scott, Caring.com senior editor
Paula Deen -- blockbuster TV chef, cookbook author, and poster girl of high-fat, high-sugar Southern cooking who never met a stick of butter she didn't like -- has revealed that she was diagnosed three years ago with type 2 diabetes. But she doesn't seem to blame her high-cholesterol diet, her excess weight, or her belly fat (all risk factors for type 2 diabetes, according to The Los Angeles Times.
No, she points not to lifestyle but to genetics and age (which are also risk factors). The L.A. Times also notes that she has a 50-year smoking habit and that smoking has been suggested as an additional diabetes risk factor in some studies.
Why did the food-maven wait three years to share the news that she has a diet-centric disease? Deen told Al Roker on The Today Show that she wanted to be able to offer helpful advice to her fans.
"You can have that little piece of pie," Deen said, "but here's what I want to get across to people: I want them to first start by going to their doctor and asking to be tested for diabetes, then get on a program that works for you. I'm amazed at the people that are aware they're diabetic, but they're not taking their medicine. They're not doing anything."
No mention that a "program that works for you" chiefly involves diet and exercise first, and that medication (other than insulin) usually comes second to lifestyle changes. The implication is that type 2 diabetes is a disease you can fix with medicine. (See diet advice that can help prediabetics avoid diabetes.)
Maybe this is a good time to mention that her recipes include "Paula's Fried Butter Balls," "The Heavyset Cheese Ball," "Velveeta Fudge," and "The Fat Darrell Sandwich," which features lard-fried chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks, and french fries between a sliced roll.
Since her diagnosis, Deen has become a paid rep for a drug company, Novo Nordisk, which makes a non-insulin diabetes medication called Victoza. And her two sons (maybe mindful of that genetic link) have a new Cooking Channel show featuring lighter fare, called Not My Mama's Meals. Maybe all the planning behind these endeavors had something to do with why it took her three years to share her news.
One thing's for sure: That Paula sure can whip up the cash!
See how to stop diabetes before it starts.
Well, I am not surprised at this news. I am a vegan and work with thousands of vegans in the course of a year and have long been horrified that she pushes a diet of dead animals, pus-laden cow secretions (dairy), chicken menstruation (eggs) and bee vomit (honey) to the public as healthy foods. These are the very foods that lead to diabetes, heart attacks, various cancers including colon, coronary artery disease, strokes and other disorders as well as contributing to obesity. She is in denial if she thinks her age and genetics caused this. Diabetes is PREVENTABLE and the kind of lifestyle she leads not only brought this on for her but she is leading other people down the road to poor health. I don't see how her pulling herself out of poverty excuses her teaching others to kill themselves with a knife and fork.
Leave Paula Deen alone. I'm not even a fan, but am weary of the bandwagon many seem to have jumped on, criticizing her. Good grief. The woman pulled herself up from dire circumstances, conquered depression, does an enormous amount to keep other laughing, and she didn't kill anyone, just fixes yummy food. Most of us are fighting some type of health issue, and even those who take diligent care can fall over with a heart attack. Let her enjoy living, and so what if she makes money. You don't have to buy her products.
Paula Deen owes NOBODY an apology, or an explanation!! Haven't you ever heard of the privacy act? What makes you people think that anyone owes you? Mrs. Deen is a Great cook...no two ways about it... BUT! does she hold anyones mouth open and force them to eat her cooking? NO! The people of this country have lived in our 'NANNY' run country for too long. It's time that we stop blaming people like Mrs.Deen, and start taking resposibilty for our OWN lives and health. Mrs.Deen does NOT provide a health program for us to follow, she doen't MAKE us DO ANYTHING! We choose what we eat by ourselves. Paula doesn't tell us that this stuff is good for our health. She just says it's good! And it is! Mrs Deen is a great cook. Eat her coking as often as you like, hell, put another tablespoon of butter in it, if butter floats-your-boat! She's an entertainer, let her entertain. Learn nutrition from a nutritionist!!
Well said!!! Thanks ( THERE IS NO MONEY IN THE NATURAL CURES or really any TRUE CURES for BIG PHARMA)