Last week I randomly did a google search for the topic "food network stars health issues" and came up with nothing. Shocking. I was sure I was going to uncover a whole lot of dirt. And then write a scathing blog post about it.
Maybe I wasn't searching the right terms. I've never been very good at that.
So imagine my surprise when I saw this blog post on The Plant Eater this afternoon. Turns out Paula Dean does have Type 2 diabetes. I laughed and I cried, but really, I wasn't shocked. Here's what the LA Times had to say about it:
The Internet is buzzing with rumors that TV chef Paula Deen, queen of the deep fryer, could soon reveal to the world that she has Type 2 diabetes.
The Daily reports that Deen, known for fat-laden dishes such as deep-fried, bacon-wrapped macaroni and cheese, is on the cusp of spilling the refried beans about her condition. Last year, the National Enquirer wrote that Deen had the condition, and the Daily is also reporting that the TV star has inked a deal with a pharmaceutical company to endorse a diabetes drug.
Deen is both revered and reviled for her Southern style of cooking, which uses copious amounts of butter, cream and everything else that can clog an artery. One of her biggest detractors has been "No Reservations" and "The Layover" host Anthony Bourdain, who has chided her for her less-than-healthful recipes in what has become something of a running feud.
If the news about Deen is true, it's hardly shocking that she's developed the disease, considering that it's linked with beingoverweight and obese and having a diet high in rich, fatty foods and simple carbohydrates. Diabetes affects 25.8 million Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Countless studies have shown that with obesityrates showing no signs of abating, Type 2 diabetes may threaten the lives of more people worldwide and escalate healthcare costs.
Last year, the International Diabetes Federation released a study that found about 366 million people around the globe have the disease, and healthcare spending is at $465 billion. Type 2 diabetes (the most common form of diabetes) causes the body to be insulin-resistant, or to not produce enough insulin to sustain normal glucose levels.
Deen may want to take a cue from chefs such as Art Smith, whose diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes compelled him to drop a whopping 85 pounds. If it's not easy for most people to lose weight, it's extra hard for chefs, who are around food all the time and have to constantly taste it. A couple of Los Angeles chefs talked about their own battles with weight as part of an experiment to see if they could drop the fat and calories in some of their dishes without customers noticing.
If Deen does make the announcement, it will be interesting to see the fallout -- will she revamp her recipes to make them less caloric? If so, will her leagues of loyal fans follow her lead, or bolt to find another food guru more in line with the old-school approach? We'll stay tuned.
The Daily reports that Deen, known for fat-laden dishes such as deep-fried, bacon-wrapped macaroni and cheese, is on the cusp of spilling the refried beans about her condition. Last year, the National Enquirer wrote that Deen had the condition, and the Daily is also reporting that the TV star has inked a deal with a pharmaceutical company to endorse a diabetes drug.
Deen is both revered and reviled for her Southern style of cooking, which uses copious amounts of butter, cream and everything else that can clog an artery. One of her biggest detractors has been "No Reservations" and "The Layover" host Anthony Bourdain, who has chided her for her less-than-healthful recipes in what has become something of a running feud.
If the news about Deen is true, it's hardly shocking that she's developed the disease, considering that it's linked with beingoverweight and obese and having a diet high in rich, fatty foods and simple carbohydrates. Diabetes affects 25.8 million Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Countless studies have shown that with obesityrates showing no signs of abating, Type 2 diabetes may threaten the lives of more people worldwide and escalate healthcare costs.
Last year, the International Diabetes Federation released a study that found about 366 million people around the globe have the disease, and healthcare spending is at $465 billion. Type 2 diabetes (the most common form of diabetes) causes the body to be insulin-resistant, or to not produce enough insulin to sustain normal glucose levels.
Deen may want to take a cue from chefs such as Art Smith, whose diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes compelled him to drop a whopping 85 pounds. If it's not easy for most people to lose weight, it's extra hard for chefs, who are around food all the time and have to constantly taste it. A couple of Los Angeles chefs talked about their own battles with weight as part of an experiment to see if they could drop the fat and calories in some of their dishes without customers noticing.
If Deen does make the announcement, it will be interesting to see the fallout -- will she revamp her recipes to make them less caloric? If so, will her leagues of loyal fans follow her lead, or bolt to find another food guru more in line with the old-school approach? We'll stay tuned.
What do you think is going to happen? Do you think that The Food Network is contributing to the obesity epidemic? Would you like to see change on The Food Network?
What's more, a report says Deen is about to go public with the diagnosis as a multimillion-dollar spokeswoman for drug-maker Novartis. No confirmation yet from either the Food Network star or the drug company.
Great. That's just what we need in this country. A eat whatever you want and fix it with drugs attitude. How about changing your diet Ms. Dean? Did you ever consider that?
Rip, I think your people need to send her people a copy of The Engine 2 Diet.
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