Paula Deen Has Type 2 Diabetes, Still Eats Fried Foods "in Moderation"

Celebrity News January 17, 2012 AT 8:38AM
Paula Deen Has Type 2 Diabetes, Still Eats Fried Foods "in Moderation" Credit: John Parra/WireImage.com

Paula Deen built her empire on a love of fried food, but the 64-year-old Food Network star made a shocking announcement Tuesday: she's suffering from Type 2 Diabetes.

"I was diagnosed three years ago during a regular physical exam with my doctor," Deen revealed on The Today Show. "I'm here today to let the world know that it is not a death sentence."

PHOTOS: Naughty star appetites

Deen chose to keep her condition private because she "had to figure things out in my own head...I had nothing to give with my fellow friends out there."

Now a paid spokesperson for Novo Nordisk, Deen is gearing up for the launch of Diabetes in a New Light, which offers "simple ways" to manage the disease.

PHOTOS: Celeb health scares

"People are not going to quit eating. We quit eating, we're all out of here. I wanted to bring something to the table when I came forward, and I've always been one to think that I bring hope, because I've had lots of obstacles in my life, y'all."

When Al Roker repeatedly asked Deen if her diagnosis was a direct result of her butter-rich diet, she admitted that it's "part of the puzzle" but not the only factor.

Citing genetics, lifestyle, diet, stress and age, Deen said that like many baby boomers, "there's a good chance that [Type 2 Diabetes] will be one of the issues you have to face."

PHOTOS: Most talked-about celeb bods of the year

"Here's the thing: I have always encouraged moderation. On my show I share with you all these yummy fattening recipes, but I tell people, 'In moderation. In moderation,'" Deen explained. "I've always eaten in moderation," she said, adding that the recipes seen on her show account for only 30 meals a year.

"It's like I told Oprah [Winfrey] a few years ago: 'Honey, I'm your cook, not your doctor,'" Deen said. "You are going to have to be responsible for yourself."

Tell Us What You Think

25
Comment by signing in with or creating your Facebook account by clicking below.
  • January 20, 2012 - 8:37pm Sammy Post

    Diabetes can be prevented, managed, treated, even cured, with a delicious plant-based diet. Read more on this non-commercial, science-based website: http://nutritionfacts.org/blog/2012/01/18/paula-deen-diabetes-drug-spokesperson/

  • January 19, 2012 - 9:40pm Brittany Montalvo

    Personally I think people should stop being hypocritical and judgemental. By hypocritical I mean, was that Big Mac meal large sized with a coke and a milk shake good that you may have eaten for lunch today, yesterday, or last week? So what she has a medical condidtion, yes I do understand that this condition is managed by diet and exercise. However, as long as she is taking care of herself by managing those things, what the heck is the big deal? She cooks "southern food" with lots of sugar and butter, atleast a stick in everything.. but you have the option whether to cook these meals daily, weekly, monthly, for holidays, or even at all for that matter!!! She has always said MODERATION! You control that, not her or the dish! So leave her alone! Everyone should stop acting as if she has been with holding critical information about her food that can cause health issues! a stick of butter...3 cups of sugar... uhm yeah you should be able to realize all on your own that it will be high in carbs and fat! So people, take responsibility for your actions and the bending of your right or left elbow as being the problem not her with holding her medical condition!

  • January 19, 2012 - 5:29pm Dee Dee Cole

    I have type 2 diabetes and i must say that i do eat what i want, but in moderations. everyone keep saying if you don't this you will die, or if you keep doing this you will die. well, we're going to die anyway. i don't want to speed up the process but i want to enjoy my life. so that being said ms.paula, enjoy your life the way you see fit and don't worry about what others think. we're on human and life will go on way after us.

  • January 18, 2012 - 7:44pm Emma Lou Schwichtenberg Cousens

    The Paula/Anthony Battle will go on, but Anthony has no room to throw barbs at anyone since he smokes and does so openly on his TV episodes. This is equally as bad or worse than Paula keeping her Diabetes private while exhaulting the glories of fatty fried foods drenched in butter and oozing with cholesterol. There are just as many evils to be said of the black tars that clogg the air sacks of the lungs, cripple the arteries of the body, spread the chemicals through the body causing lung, bladder and other forms of cancer as well as COPD and other breathing and circulation problems, not to mention the evils that second hand smoke does. So who is pointing fingers @ who here and how many fingers are pointing back at themself with equally or worse habits or problems? At least Paula finally came clean ansd admited she has the disease, albet for a financial reason as noted by her endorcement contract, but Anthony has not admitted his smoking addiction to date, has he?

  • January 18, 2012 - 7:19pm Caroline Baker Erickson

    People need to get a life,I have family that has type 2 diabetes and it can be controlled with meds. If yor so concerned then dont eat the food and leave her alone.Shes an awesome lady that has done nothing wrong but to entertain & show people that it can be fun & rewarding to cook great food.iI love you Paula keep it up & forget the rest

  • January 18, 2012 - 6:49pm Jack D Wallace

    Keep doing what you do! We all love you, No need to apologize.

  • January 18, 2012 - 5:34pm Kathy Hopper

    I have type 2 diabetes too but i do not follow through on what my doctors say,I should i need some support that i do not get from my husband and i don't exercise like i should i am a couch potato all the time I know i am over weight drink to much soda and eat to much but don't have the will power to do anything about it

  • January 18, 2012 - 11:42am Karen Harkins

    I have been a diabetic for almost 2 1/2 years & it has not been easy for me to find things with low carbs or some other things. DIabetes runs in my family. My Mother died from diabetes. I just hope that I can start to find things to help me get on the straight & narrow along with alot of other people with Type 2 diabetes. God Bless everyone with diabetes. Not anything to laugh at or just take for granted. Hope all of us can get on the road to happiness & good health in 2012!!!!

  • January 18, 2012 - 10:47am Olga Notaro

    It can be a death sentence if you don't take care of yourself. A friends brother passed away this past summer from complications of this disease and sadly he was only 41.

  • January 18, 2012 - 9:32am K.j. Kearns

    Terry, um, let me spell it out to you: Paula is a COOK. A famous cook. One that has diabetes! Hm... do you see the correlation and why it is noteworthy? think about it...

  • January 18, 2012 - 9:31am K.j. Kearns

    mike, your just a jerk who has nothing real to add the conversation so...just go away please.

  • January 18, 2012 - 9:30am K.j. Kearns

    Cynthia, i love paula, too, but it is type 1 that you are thinking of, which is genetic. however, type 2 (adult onset), can be fixed by bettering the diet (i.e. it is diet related).

  • January 18, 2012 - 7:42am Mike Sedgwick

    If she wasn't before, she's now nothing but a shill. With diabetes.

  • January 18, 2012 - 6:25am Cynthia Walker

    Just because of the dishes she prepares and some of the ingredients she uses, does not mean that this is the reason for her diabetes. Diabetes is a hereditary thing. Her ingredients in her recipes can be changed to healthy ones also. So there, lay off Ms. Paula.

  • January 17, 2012 - 3:38pm Terry S. Gouin

    What is the big deal? I am diabetic and no one but me on the cover of a magazine. It is not a death sentence people. Gees......

  • January 17, 2012 - 12:47pm Elda Reyes

    my sis is diabetic and she's always sick but she won't change her awful food habits!

  • January 17, 2012 - 12:19pm Carlie Nguyen

    In the end....its her life so if she wants to cook yummy fattening food then all the power to her. It seems like she has had a very fulfilling life with no regrets. Everyone gets sick one way or another when they get older so there is no reason to be so harsh to Paula! Its not like shes 25 and partying all the time to make herself sick.....

  • January 17, 2012 - 12:19pm Carlie Nguyen

    In the end....its her life so if she wants to cook yummy fattening food then all the power to her. It seems like she has had a very fulfilling life with no regrets. Everyone gets sick one way or another when they get older so there is no reason to be so harsh to Paula! Its not like shes 25 and partying all the time to make herself sick.....

  • January 17, 2012 - 12:14pm Amanda Delgado

    wow totally not surprising

  • January 17, 2012 - 11:45am Jen Anne Ritter

    Well,no kidding she's diabetic. Look at the crap she eats,and how overweight she is. Not really a shocker.

ADVERTISEMENT