fitdudefood
Paula Deen is an American cooking icon. She was one of my mom’s favorite resources for tasty meals as she was augmenting her cooking skills with the Food Network. In fact, my dad had me write Paula when my mom passed thanking her for being an inspiration.
Yet, as I learned more about eating healthy and what truly good nutrition is, I saw how unhealthy these rich tasty dishes were. Now, I’m totally aware that it’s up to each individual to watch their own nutrition and indulge in moderation, but recipes like these clearly helped contribute to the heart conditions that took my father at the age of 55 in 2008 from sudden heart failure.
Paula Deen recently admitted that she has known for the past three years that she has type 2 diabetes. She stated that she kept the information private because she wanted to “figure things out in my own head”. Meanwhile she continued making a living off her super rich high fat high sugar recipes on her show, in cookbooks, website, etc…all the while happily uttering the phrase “add another stick of butter, y’all!”.
She sells a butter warmer pan.
A pan whose sole purpose is warming butter. She sells butter flavored lip balm. No, seriously. All the while she talks about doing everything in moderation, that she doesn’t live like she cooks, that everyone should moderate their diets and they’ll be fine. Meanwhile, she admits that she was staggered when she finally calculated how much sugar she drank from lunchtime to dinner via sweet tea. How’s that for moderation?
To be fair, at the end of the day Paula says “I’m your cook, not your doctor.” The problem with that, however, is that nutrition is as vital a part of health as anything out there. In fact, it’s the MOST important aspect of health. So essentially, your cook IS your doctor, for better or worse. Paula Deen talks about how she cooks for the families who worry about paying their bills and feeing their families, yet I have written about how healthy eating can be just as affordable as unhealthy eating, especially when you look at all the ingredients needed for many of Paula’s recipes.
Paula Deen is beloved by tons of people because she exudes Americana and homestyle memories.
People love her, trust her, enjoy everything she does. However, her own son has created a show specifically themed around the fact that her recipes aren’t healthy. His show is called Not My Mama’s Meals and is centered around healthier versions of her recipes. In other words, her family is purposely providing unhealthy AND healthy versions of their recipes in order to double their money.
It’s unfortunate. I like Paula when I see her on TV. She seems like the nicest person in the world. I just hope that the media that will come from her admitting this publicly will one day cause HER show to be more like her son’s. I’d also love to give her some Shakeology to help control that Type 2 Diabetes, since it’s designed to be low glycemic. Here’s to a healthier future for Paula Deen and America!
Wow! Thanks for the great post John. Not being from America I don't know Paula Deen but it sounds like there is some real issue in there around being out of alignment somehow! Let's hope that she finds a way to bring the lesson together – as you say, sounds like her son has!
I do love things Paula-Deen style. My ancestors grew up eating Paula-Deen style every day of their lives. I love comfort food and things made with butter and sweet tea. I appreciate your point of view here, and though I am often resistant to it, I have come along way with moderation and adding in better choices. I have cut way back on the sweet tea. And I have added green smoothies and Shakeology to my diet. I put those things in my body first, before I indulge in the other stuff. I am sure you understand the marketing machine behind this whole thing, as well. It's interesting to see how it all holds up in a world where we now know better… whether we want to or not.
Great post John! I have never been in America too and I haven't heard about Paula Deen but I agree with Andrea – Let's hope that she finds a way to bring the lesson together. Thanks for sharing this post!
Great post John! Type 2 Diabetes is a very scary disease, leading to many other health issues if not well controlled. The good news is it can be prevented, controlled, and cured with diet and lifestyle. Your comment about nutrition being the most important aspect of health is right on! For people living on a tight budget, eating healthy makes much more sense… they have fewer doctor visits, less missed days of work and school, and fewer prescription drugs (just to name a few things), which all save a lot of money in the long run.
I love Paula Deen! I do my best to not cook like her. My goodness!
Maybe she can help us learn to prepare foods that have that fab down home taste with out the decadence.
Thanks for shedding some light on the subject!
MarVeena
Although not surprised that Paula Dean has diabetes it still saddens me. She is one of my favorites and quite an inspiration for women. Thanks for sharing.
John, what an enlightening article. I got the best laugh at her son making money on the other end of things making the same meals with healthier choices….
John,
While I appreciate your post I hold that each of us is responsible for our choices. Paula Deen is an entertainer first. I love watching her cook and don't doubt that what she cooks can be very tasty. Would I ever cook that way? Nope, never. I feel sad for her that she has such a terrible health issue and hope for her sake she does what she needs to do to get it under control.