Is Paula Deen Trying To Drag America Down With Her?

  • Paula Deen, the famous chef known for her deep fried Southern recipes and sugary “Sweet Tea”, is causing quite an uproar since recently announcing she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes three years ago. Already highly criticized for the large amount of fats, sugars and salts in her recipes, this diagnosis is all the more reason to take a closer look at how Americans are eating today.

    While Deen’s promoting deep fried cheesecake on her show, more than 25 million Americans and almost 10% of the population have diabetes, with numbers increasing every year. More so than not, these cases are Type 2 diabetics, with obesity being the leading cause.

    Since coming out, Deen has repeatedly stated, “This is not a death sentence.” But if Deen doesn’t start taking this disease seriously, it most certainly is an invitation. Complications from type 2 diabetes can include blindness, kidney, nervous system and heart disease, stroke, hypertension, dental problems, amputations and pregnancy complications.

    Deen has stated the reason she’s kept her diagnosis private is because she wanted to learn more about diabetes in order to have something to bring to the table once she did go public. This seems unlikely considering she hasn’t stepped up to the plate once with any sufficient or realistic awareness about the disease. Instead, she is helping herself to an endorsement deal for the pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, who is offering a drug supposedly aimed at helping manage the disease. It’s anyone’s guess if Deen would have gone public at all (in fear of losing followers) if the company wasn’t hiring her to be their paid spokesperson.

    Deen is doing her best though to make us see “diabetes in a new light” according to her new marketing campaign with Novo Nordisk. In her announcement, a relaxed Deen seems to act as if the complex disease is no biggie at all, perhaps so she can go back to her show promoting its usual unhealthy diet with her head held high. But what about all the viewers and people out there who are heading down the same detrimental road Paula Deen is now on?

    While Deen’s been quoted as saying she’s advised viewers to “use moderation”, the whole idea of paying a woman for hypocrisy is plain wrong. She is using her celebrity status to convince others that you can eat whatever you want with no consequence. And just in case there are any consequences, here is a miracle drug that will fix you right up! I realize no one is being forced to watch her show, nor are we getting her fatty foods shoved down our throats, but a fine example of what would happen if we all were is Paula Deen herself.

    The main issue though not being addressed by Deen that desperately needs to be said is that diabetes is preventable and can be managed if people are willing to devote themselves to a strict diet and exercise plan. As someone who suffers from hypoglycemia and recently lost a family member to complications with the disease, I know that type 2 diabetes should not be taken lightly. There is a big commitment that has to be made in order to keep this disease under control, and Paula Deen is setting a very bad example of what that should be. As the saying goes, “misery loves company”, but I can only hope that the self-indulgent “Butter Queen” decides to turn a new leaf.

    - Jennifer Marvel

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    January 28th, 2012 | Mara | Comments Off |

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