Food Network star Paula Deen announced today that she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about three years ago, confirming rumors.
“I had to figure things out in my own head,” Deen said on the Today show. “I could have walked out and said, ‘Hey y’all, I have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes’ and walked away. I had nothing to give.” Now, however, Deen has partnered with the pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, to create a program called “Diabetes in a New Light.” She manages her diabetes with daily injections of Victoza, made by Novo Nordisk, and has also made lifestyle changes such as cutting back on sweet tea.
Deen wants her fans to know that diabetes isn’t a “death sentence,” and is using Diabetes in a New light to share diabetic recipes and advice. Deen’s sons, Bobby and Jamie are also working on the project, and the materials have been reviewed by the American Dietetic Association. The team will be traveling around the country to demonstrate the new lighter recipes.
UPDATE 1/18/12: Paula Deen confirms on Today Show that she has type 2 diabetes, and has for three years. She says the disease “is not a death sentence,” and is partnering with Diabetes in a New Light. She told Al Roker she’s “always encouraged moderation” when it comes to her cooking.
Cooking celebrity Paula Deen may be known for her high-calorie, butter-laden Southern cooking but she has alluded to health struggles in the past. Today, The Dailyreported that the Food Network star, cookbook author and restauranteur famous for her 1500-calorie donut burger is about to reveal that she has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, a condition often associated with fatty foods and obesity.
The Georgia-born chef, who was once a single mother struggling to make ends meet has reportedly signed a multimillion dollar deal with Novartis to endorse the drug that she is taking to help control her condition.
Deen has faced past criticism, reportedly even from First Lady Michelle Obama, for her the high amounts of fat, salt and sugar in her dishes. Now that Deen has been diagnosed with a condition largely controlled by diet and exercise, sources are wondering whether her platform will change.
There is rumor of a food fight going on between Michelle Obama and famed southern cook Paula Deen. Paula Deen is known for her indulgent recipes and fondness for butter, among other ingredients that aren’t so healthy. Paula is touring and promoting her latest cookbook Paula Deen’s Southern Cooking Bible which encourages purchasing a deep fryer.
On the other side of the food spectrum, First Lady Michelle Obama is promoting her new cookbook American Grown, which advocates eating home grown vegetables. The feud is rumored to revolve around Michelle’s appearance on the show Paula’s Party in 2008 before President Obama was elected, and before Michelle launched her healthy eating initiative. Supposedly, Paula has been pointing out Michelle’s unhealthy eating habits in interviews while on her book tour, which has many people calling foul.
In one interview, Paula is quoted saying, “She’s no different than the rest of us. She probably ate more than any guest I ever had on the show! She kept eating even during the commercials. Know what (the Obamas’) favorite foods are? Hot wings. Y’know – those kinds of foods that aren’t necessarily top-of-the-list healthy foods.”
Tune in Tuesday, October 11, 2011 for Paula Deen on Dr. Oz.
Famous for never going light on butter and deep frying, the southern cooking extraordinaire will show viewers how to make her favorite meals for half the fat and calories. Most of Deen’s recipes are not exactly healthy, so be sure to learn how to enjoy the flavor without the guilt.
Deen also shares with Dr. Oz the health struggles she has battled and fought to overcome. Be sure to catch this fun and emotional episode.
Paula Deen is a Food Network star known for her delicious southern cooking and her famous restaurant in Savannah, Georgia, Lady and Sons. Lately, Paula has been getting some press coverage for a new food endeavor. Deen has partnered with Springer Mountain Farms to endorse their 100 percent all natural chicken. Their chickens will not only be endorsed by Paula Deen, they will also have her face on the packaging.
Paula Deen released a statement saying: “Chicken is a very logical line of food for us to have. I’m particularly impressed with the way Springer Mountain Farms raises and feeds its chickens, producing an especially tender and delicious product. I’m proud to put my name on these items and encourage everyone to give them a try.”
For meat and poultry to be labeled all natural, the Food Safety and Inspection Service requires there be no artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners or preservatives. These Springer Mountain Farms chickens have never received steroids, hormones, antibiotics or animal bi-products in their lifetime, eating a diet consisting mainly of corn and soybeans.
Food Network star Paula Deen announced today that she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about three years ago, confirming rumors.
