Paula Deen revealed earlier this week that she was diagnosed with Type 2
Diabetes about three years ago, even though she never revealed her
condition and continued to promote the high-fat, decadent meals that
have become her signature. As a result, she's facing a firestorm of
criticism, from within the food industry and the general public, that
she is a hypocrite. Some, including celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain,
have openly stated their opposition to Deen's actions: "When your
signature dish is hamburger in between a doughnut, and you've been
cheerfully selling this stuff knowing all along that you've got Type 2
diabetes, it's in bad taste if nothing else."
Deen counters with the fact that she didn't feel comfortable revealing
her diagnosis because she didn't feel like she had an appropriate amount
of information or helpful advice to offer her viewers. But now that she
has been hired as a spokesperson for diabetes medication and she
continues to promote her traditional Southern fare, many are questioning
whether that's the right approach.
"I am who I am," said Deen. "I think the South gets a bad rap sometimes,
saying our food is very unhealthy, but frankly I don't think that's the
case. I think it's like any other food, whether it be Italian, French,
Cajun. They all can be very high in calories and that's where we have to
practice portion control and moderation."
And while there is certainly an element of hypocrisy - or at least poor
form - to what Deen has done, it's also silly to suggest that Deen is
somehow encouraging people to eat the types of meals she makes on her
show regularly. Anyone who has watched an episode of her cooking show
knows that it's not the type of food to incorporate into your daily
diet. It is Southern comfort food for special occasions and nothing
more.
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