Paula Deen's s diabetes diagnosis won't change her cooking style. The Food Network star, known for her high fat, indulgent recipes, told the Today show's Al Roker that she will continue to cook and eat her signature dishes in moderation. During her appearance, she also announced that she will be the spokesperson for Victoza, a diabetes medication that is meant to be used along with a healthy diet and exercise.
Deen's announcement has led to a flood of criticism and blame. Some feel that her cooking style, with plenty of fried foods, butter, and high fat dairy products, is directly to blame for the diabetes diagnosis. And many have commented on her endorsement deal with Victoza. One blogger writes "Ms. Deen's approach of eating smaller amounts of the same unhealthful foods while at the same time promoting injectable medications sets a bad example for those in similar situations."
Many also feel that the endorsement of high fat cooking undermines standard recommendations for the management of Type 2 diabetes. Since obesity is a primary risk factor for Type 2 diabetes and since a large percentage of patients are overweight when diagnosed, weight loss and weight management are standard recommendations for the disease.
But it is possible to eat like Paula Deen and lose weight? Will her diagnosis change the way you eat? Even if you eat Deen-style meals in moderation and exercise portion control at the table, are you doing yourself a disservice by keeping high fat foods in your diet? Chime in below and add your comment.
I say Good Luck to Paula. At least she’s making some changes she feels she can handle at this time. In the future she may make changes if she feels she cans or wants to. Eveyone else should mind their own business & watch what they’re eating themselves. I’m fed up with these food police. It’s a breach of human rights.
I believe Paula Dean has some responsibility to her public. She made over $10 million last year, promoting her books, cooking shows and recipes. All that time she knew she had diabetes and I’m sure knew that her way of cooking was not good for the disease and probably caused the disease. I think it looks like she has lost weight lately, most likely because she has been making some changes to her eating habits. Seems like she had some responsibility to her public to let them know that…..instead of just having such a fun time on her show, let’s throw another cube of butter in, etc.
I don’t know what all the fuss is about. Maybe she did not want to tell the nation her health problem. Would you? We do not need to know every aspect of a stars life. I just think there are some things that need to be private and that is one of them. No matter how we feel about it we will still watch her show and buy her books. No one says we have to eat that way all the time. Use your head once in a while. Are we going to jump off the bridge just because someone says we should. She is not telling us to cook that way or eat that way. Think About It.
I LOVE Paula Deen. It hurts that she is being criticized so badly because of a health condition. I know other people that ate healthy, were skinny and then discovered they were diabetic.
As for me, I have only used one of Paula’s recipes, her Mac and Cheese. But I love to watch her show because of her personality. I would watch her show no matter what she was cooking, even if it was “How to boil an egg”.
I hope that Paula continues to be the fun loving person that she is, and that the public will start worrying about something other than what and how Paula Deen is cooking on her show.
Fats and proteins are not the culprit in diabetes. But sugar and carbohydrates combined with fat can not only cause weight gain but make even avid vegetarians or vegans into Diabetics. Sure fats need to be limited too much can lead to not only weight gain but cardiac problems. I think the true menace to the American diet is sugar, breads, and starchy carbs. I’m not a believer in trying to totally eliminate any one food because I believe biologically humans are omnivores and our body needs all three elements – fats, proteins, and carbs. Ms. Deen loves cooking and her food. I think she is probably wise to look at cutting back instead of eliminating. Feeling deprived does not make a successful diet.
Paula Deen’s diagnosis won’t change the way I cook. I love to watch her show because of her dynamic personality, BUT I have never made even one of her recipes – they are too rich and calorie-laden for me. All that butter is no good for anyone watching their cholesterol, and combining that with the other unhealthy ingredients and humungous portions she serves doesn’t help the obesity problem in this country.
It’s true that we are all responsible for what we eat and drink, but many of her shows showcase what appears to be a complete meal. If a viewer made every recipe from one show, they would probably be eating 10,000 calories in that one meal.
Leave Paula Deen alone! She has said many times on many shows, “I am not your doctor, I am your cook!” Everyone is responsible for your own life, Paula does not tell you to eat every thing she prepares every single day. She show you how to cook delicious, southern food. The rest is up to you. Be mindful of your own health…that’s a lesson we all need to learn and abide by.
Paula Deen is a GROWN woman. Her diabetes was found 3 years ago and she is still here: alive and kicking. I have made her Hoppin John recipe several times, changing a few of her ingredients each time and it has always been very delicious!!!
Yes, she does need to watch her fat, her portion controls and her sugar BUT bottom line, she is a GROWN woman who will do what she wants!
I am a big fan of Paula Deen. I love her recipes and her ott style makes her show highly enjoyable. However I have to agree that her approach to cooking is a little dated and irresponsible in the light of current practises and health information available to us today. This is also an issue that the Food Network Channel has to address.
Some folks….don’t have anything better to do than criticize others..Our society seems to need to know everyone’s business…Get a grip! She just being herself …if U don’t like her listen to someone enjoyable…good example: Howard Stern…he’s a real winner.