Yesterday during a visit to NBC’s Today Show, Food Network star, chef, restauranteur, and author, Paula Deen, confirmed the rumors that she has been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. This was not a surprise to most, since the types of foods Paula cooks on her show (filled with butter, heavy cream, sugar, etc.) are not the healthiest recipes one can prepare. However, I do not think it is a laughing matter either.
Diabetes is a serious disease that can be deadly. I know firsthand the toll that diabetes can take on someone, being that my father has been living with it for over ten years, and I myself, developed gestational diabetes during both of my pregnancies. When I learn that someone has diabetes, my first thought it not to judge them. My first thought is to hope that they can avoid becoming ill with the disease, since it is a matter of health (and life or death).
I have written at length on my blog about diabetes and have done so for two years now. Through my writing and research, I have learned that diabetes does not discriminate. Diabetes strikes the rich and the poor. It also is not always about what you eat. There are those that have been diagnosed with diabetes despite the fact that they prepare healthy foods and are not overweight. Diabetes can be hereditary. Blacks and Hispanics seem to be more predisposed to diabetes than other races.
To think, of course Paula Deen has diabetes—look at the way she cooks is a tad bit judgmental. Paula is not the first TV chef that uses creams and butters and sugars in their recipes. Have you ever watched Julia Child’s old cooking footage? It makes Paula’s recipes look like fig leaves. Other chefs like Emeril, The Neelys, Barefoot Contessa, and plenty more use ingredients that are not considered healthy. It is up to us as viewers and consumers of these shows what we want to put in our bodies and who we shell out our money to in terms of cookbooks, merchandise, etc. (Yes, Anthony Bourdain, we have a choice here).
I will say that Paula coming out with her diagnosis is a rude awakening for us—diabetes is a serious disease and can come with a lot of consequences. Paula will need to change her eating habits for sure to comply with her medical condition.
There is nothing funny about Paula Deen having Type 2 Diabetes, and for her health, I hope that she can also show that healthy foods can be prepared just as good as ones with heavy butter and sugar.
The fact that she has also parlayed her diagnosis into a paid endorsement for Novo Nordisk does concern me—having diabetes shouldn’t be a payoff and as someone who is wealthy. I feel she should share her knowledge about diabetes through community service at no charge. But I do understand this is show business.—I ain’t mad at Paula.
The lesson I hope that Paula has learned is not to hide something such as this for three years, while peddling bad food habits in front of others. The threat of her having diabetes shouldn’t be the reason why she shares it with the world—she should share it because she cares about her health and the health of others.
To those who think it’s a laughing matter, you are entitled to your opinion. I just hope that you never have to deal with diabetes. It isn’t a joke. At all.
Thoughts?
Photo credit: Eater.com
This brings up a very good point. I do not have diabetes but it is extremely prevalent on both sides of my family (both grandparents both sides), cousins, and my father has it as well. I agree that is is truly no laughing matter as I had a close family member pass away from diabetes complications. Certainly there are ways to prevent the onset through proper diet and exercise. Thanks for this post.
Andrea, thanks for commenting. I understand that Paula Deen may provide comedic fodder for the late night talk show set but it’s important to remember health is not a joke. While Paula should be changing the way that she eats (and cooks) on her show, it is ultimately up to us to decide NOT to watch her show if we don’t like the types of food she is cooking. I wish Paula good health! 🙂
I don’t think her having diabetes is funny but I find it insane that her diet and her shows fame over such diet may have resulted in a disease that she will now try to possibly sell to the same fan base… are you kidding me ?????
Aisha, yes Paula was indeed doing us (and herself) a disservice by having diabetes and not disclosing it for 3 years while cooking the type of foods she cooks. She was dead wrong. And the backlash resulting from it may damage her reputation.
I have mixed and probably unpopular feelings about this. I definitely don’t think it’s funny though.
While I could be wrong, I don’t think Paula Deen ever claimed to be making healthy food. I don’t know enough to say so, and if she did, then it’s a whole different thing for me.
Personally I think the way she handled the entire situation was one bad decision on top of another, but at the same time I don’t know that she didn’t have the right to privacy about her own health.
Food choices are all about personal responsibility. I think there is enough information available to the average US citizen that they should just know a high-fat, high-carb, high-sugar diet is bad for them. I’m overweight, and I take responsibility for my food choices, good and bad.
I don’t expect every Chef or cooking personality to have to disclose the status of their blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, etc., though, I think people, even famous people, have a right to privacy.
All of that said, I think she missed a huge opportunity to help further educate her audience about food choice and consequence.
Aaaand, this is where I’m going with the right to privacy thinking: http://gma.yahoo.com/paula-deen-caught-eating-cheeseburger-150609231–abc-news.html