So did you hear that Paula Deen was diagnosed with Diabetes 3 years ago and she's just talking about it now? What's your opinion on it?

I don't really have an issue with her not wanting to go public about it. Heck, I haven't told 95% of the people that I know that I have it. Here are the things that I think are weird (that others are also complaining about)
1. She's known for awhile yet her show still promotes the same type of eating. Now she says that she always preaches everything in moderation which is fine. And I don't think we have to get rid of her type of food completely. But you'd think she'd shift it a bit because she has to medically.
2. All she says that she's changed is that she's drinking less sweat tea, walking on the treadmill more and taking medication. I have to say that I'm completely jealous if that's all she had to do. I'm completely overhauling my life because of this stupid disease. How did she get so lucky that she just needed to cut down on sweet tea?
3. Why did she announce her diagnosis at the same time that she partnered with a drug company for an endorsement deal? It does make it seem like she positioned herself for this in order to make money. Although, were I given the same amount of money to do just that then maybe I'd take it as well. But the timing just seems odd. And why would you partner with a drug company?

In the end, I love Paula. But I do think there was monetary motivation for 'coming out' the way that she did. I don't care if she would have never told us. But the way that it's come out makes it seem like she's making light of the situation and for me it's just so much heavier for me.

What do you think?

well, first I had to google her to find out who she is. Too bad she hasn't used it as an opportunity for prevention for others, and I don't know what she used to weigh and currently weighs, (her photos online look heavy) we all know that weight loss helps. So she is on meds (don't know what) and is exercising some, and cut down on sugar intake. Sounds like what most of us need to do.
I wouldn't want her to scare everyone who may get type 2 into thinking its a death sentence either.

I think that she did just fine its her business and her way of making money is being the queen of southern comfort cooking. We all know what is good and what is not so I do not have an issue with her not telling when she found out. As for her making money with the drug company what celebrity does not and she is donating some if the money back to the ada so good for her

Good point. I guess my 'making light' comment is partially out of my jealousy that she's making it seem like it's not a life changing thing. And maybe it's not for most people. For me it was. It took me about 8 months to take seriously. But now that I am trying to take it seriously and I'm montoring my sugar levels I can see how much I have to change to make a difference.

But you're right, I know that it's not a death sentence with proper care and maintenance. And it wouldn't be good if she scared masses of people either.

I was diagnosed a year ago and was put on meds. My whole life wasn't uprooted because of it though. I did eat unhealthy but it was a lot of small changed I had to make. No sweet tea--my huge weakness and incorperating more veggies and less carbs. I excercise more. It was those little things that made a huge change in my life! Im 53 lbs lighter and feel MUCH better!

I think it also takes a while for a person with this diagnosis to come to terms with it and I can imagine it was a bit harder on her seeing as her occupation is centered around food. I saw a show yesterday where she was asked about working for the pharm company and she said she has to make a living but why not do this to raise awareness. They are donating back to the ADA. I think its awesome for a southerner who is known for her rich dishes to show the world that you can live a full tasteful life with diabetes! Its all about moderation as is everything in life.

Hi,

Personally I thnk it is just another celebrity hippocrate who will do anything for a buck.

The drug company who signed her shoulld have out the money into research not advertising.

Shame on the both of them in my opinion.

Sheridan

It is her job, a cooking show, she gets endorsements, so on and so on. Does she eat all the foods she cooks 100% of the time at home, more then likely not, so maybe she only had to make small changes at home. There are a lot of cookbooks out there, cooking shows, so on, and they are not there to talk about their health or anything else, but cook the food they are paid to cook. I am sorry she has Diabetes...that is all, the rest has nothing to do with me, just like my life and what I do for a living to make money has nothing to do with Diabetes. As for the post that she is just another celeb making a buck...well yeah, that is how they make a living. And if anyone believes in something because a celeb says so...they have other problems..lol.

cooking is her job. Would you say the same things about a cake decorator who didn't change professions after being diagnosed with diabetes?

the timing of the announcement and the endorsement deal is kinda suspicious, but I think she connects with a lot of women her age who might have a lot of difficulty putting their own health above what the family wants to eat.

Yes I would say the same thing, having Diabetes has nothing to do with decorating a cake. I am afraid I don't get the connection between job and Diabetes....one does not have to eat what one does....perhaps I am missing something, or I just look at things differently...what would this world be if we all thought the same...I like that we don't...makes it more interesting..lol

All I could think about when I saw this (I didn't know it was diabetes) was she puts TOO much butter in everything. I mean, I realize we live in the South and we use a lot of butter, but MY GOD, she uses like half a tub in every recipe.

I find her amusing, the little I had seen of her, as for her cooking, I would never make one of her recipes, to much everything for me in them. I must admit when I think back to the way My Mom use to cook, if you could put bacon drippings in it, or cook something in them, that is what she did. Saved that stuff like it was gold....lol. So my Mom had Bacon drippings, and she has butter...lol

I do not expect the confectioner to stop his business or offer only sugar free items because he has diabetes. Paula Deen is just in the public eye and everything gets picked apart.

Are her recipes unhealthy? Heck yes. I don't think she's ever said anything to the contrary. You know what you get when you tune into her show; it is a pornicopia of butter, sugar and every other fatty, salty, fried concoction you can think of. If you do not care to eat healthy, great, you have a resource for recipes. If you want something for a special occasion, there ya go.

If enough stop buying her books and watching her show, she will fade or alter her programming. She may eat completely different or at least more healthy at home, we just don't know. I see no difference between this and others looking at an obese persons cart at Walmart going "Jeez lady! Aren't you fat? Go get a salad!" For all we know the unhealthy stuff is for a party, her family, etc.

Regarding a drug company endorsement, well, I don't like any drug commercials but that's my rant for another day.

Nice post...and I agree also about the drug ccommercials...although the side effects they also list a the end of them makes me smile....lol

Anal leakage, blindness, heart arrhythmia, stroke, numbness, mucous buildup, hair loss, loss of hearing and/or teeth and DEATH is not to be taken lightly!

Sometimes the life saving benefits of medication outweigh the side effects, though not often IMO for the ones on TV. The one I laughed at was the Latisse. It's to thicken eye lashes, really? Eye lashes?? One of the side effects was blindness!!!! Holy crap I can't see but JEEZ! My eye lashes look FAB!

See? I put an eenie weenie little toe on my and didn't even mean to!