First… Happy new year!!! I know, I’m extra late saying that, but the beginning of this year has been a whirlwind of busy-ness and I’m just now settling down to some writing. Hope you all are having a great new year so far!
Ok, let’s get to it…
If you don’t already know, yesterday, Paula Deen officially announced to the world on the Today Show that she has been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. Paula Deen has been crowned the Queen of Southern Cooking, with dishes full of butter, sugar and even a pound of bacon. It had been rumored that she may have diabetes but she wouldn’t confirm those rumors until yesterday during her interview with Al Roker:
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Are any of you surprised? I’m not. In fact, I’m actually outraged and a little upset at the message she’s putting out. It was pretty inevitable that she might develop a disease like this based on her “very fattening” (as she puts it) dishes. And yes, it should be noted that there are many factors that can lead to a diagnoses for Type 2 diabetes, not just your diet. But, what you eat is a huge part of the risk factors involved. For years, Paula has been on television cooking up dishes that can and will surely clog your arteries.
Here’s my issue…
In her interview, Paula repeats herself many times saying that she has always stressed “moderation” and encouraged folks to eat these fattening dishes in moderation. She also mentioned that she doesn’t always eat what she cooks. I call bullsh*t. Paula is deflecting and doesn’t want to truly admit that this fat-filled cooking and eating, being overweight, inactive and over 50 has contributed to her diagnosis. She’s not taking responsibility. As a celebrity in the spotlight, I think it’s extremely important to admit to your fans that your lifestyle may not be as great as you thought it was, and in some way CHANGE the way you cook.
The "Lady's Brunch Burger". 2 glazed donuts, a burger, egg and bacon. www.pauladeen.com
Forget the moderation thing. Seriously, who makes an entire pie and only eats 1 slice of it, Paula? Why not think about learning how to alter your dishes to better cater to your diagnosis? Why not propose a cooking show with your son, who actually cooks your dishes in a much healthier way, to help your audience learn how to make your dishes with less fat and sugar? Paula has known about this for 3 years. 3 YEARS. If you ask me, she’s still in denial about it. She’s had plenty of time to put her and her health first. I do understand that she has a career and cooking is primarily how she makes money, but I believe some alterations can be done to her approach to food now that her life is at risk. The bottom line is that if Paula does not change the way she eats, cooks and lives she will die of Type 2 diabetes.
My grandmother on my dad’s side passed away in 2008 because of complications with Type 2 diabetes. A very close family friend who used to babysit myself and my siblings passed away this past summer of a rapidly moving infection caused by Type 2 diabetes. My uncle Jerome (my mom’s brother) has gone to dialysis for his kidneys very week, for years, due to Type 2 diabetes and if he doesn’t try to change his diet or get at least a little bit active, he will also die of Type 2 diabetes. You catch my drift?
Situations like this are why I am gunning for the health and wellness of everyone around me. When we don’t take our health seriously, or we’re just ignorant about how important it is to eat well and be active, we run the risk of dying of something that can be reversed. Yes, we all love food, especially Southern food. In the African American community this Souther/Soul food is a staple we are fighting tooth and nail to change or get rid of. We seem to immediately push away any healthy alternatives before we’ve even tried them. This saddens me to no end. It’s my hope that people understand that being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes is SERIOUS and not something you should just shove under the rug, take a pill, and keep eating the way you have. If you care enough about yourself and the folks you love, you’d take that kind of news and take the steps to being to take better care of yourself.
What do you think about Paula Deen’s announcement and diagnosis?
Be Renewed!
Thank you so much for posting your thoughts on the matter. As a person who fights daily to develop healthier lifestyle habits, I completely understand where you are coming from. Every individual on my father’s side of the family has Type 2 diabetes. He was the youngest of 14 children and one of the first to die. I vowed that I would opt for a better lifestyle than the one he chose. It really makes me sad that an influential person such as Paula Deen could be so irresponsible with the platform that she has. I really hope that she has a change of heart before her condition intensifies.
SMH….this makes me very sad. I hope that Paula’s fans are able to read through her denial of how serious this is – and make a lifestyle change to their diet and cooking practices, so that they don’t end up in the same boat. Your health doesn’t just affect you – but your family, friends, everyone that depends on/looks up to you.
great post! and loved hearing your thoughts on it. as I was not surprised and a little upset with how she is handling this. as so many people are watching her. I still hope she can turn it around and show people how food does impact your health.