What I Wanted To Hear From Paula Deen

Here is the short version of the recently revealed story: Paula Deen made a bunch of money teaching people how to make foods that do not cultivate health in those who consume them.

Earlier this week, she announced that she has type-2 diabetes. Shocking? No. If you’re shocked to discover that eating what she touts as “traditional Southern cooking” could coincide with a type-2 diabetes diagnosis, call me, I’ve something more scandalous to write about tomorrow.

But, there are some elements of this story that are… unsettling. First, she was diagnosed three years ago. From what I can tell (and I must disclose that I’ve not been watching very closely), she has not altered what she’s been teaching us about how to prepare the food for our collective gut. Also, the fourth sentence of her big reveal was used to explain that she has partnered with a reputable pharmaceutical company. And, my stomach turned a bit at the swift and strong promotion of her new program.

This is a tricky one, don’t you think? It’s tricky because on one hand her health is her business and not ours (except that she did share it with us). And on the other hand, we all know that the food we put in our bodies hugely impacts our health, and she teaches people about food for a living.

I’m writing today because every time something like this fuels media and bloggy madness, my inner life coach wants to find something in all of it that we can actually use – you and me, people who are mature enough to learn from other people’s experiences. And while I recognize that I don’t know much of anything about what’s really happening behind the scenes for Paula Deen, I can speak of what came up for me when I watched her Today Show interview.

I wanted more.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Sheri P.

7:22PM PST on Feb 12, 2012

she is over the top and doesn't care about managing her diabetes with diet and exercise...it's all about popping a pill and continuing to eat the same way she has forever. it also doesn't hurt her bank account...pushing the diabetes drugs...

send a green star

Sarah M.

10:07AM PST on Feb 10, 2012

I have been disgusted by and disappointed in her since I accidentally flipped past her show many years ago (and not once since), she is simply ridiculous.

Eternal G.

6:13PM PST on Feb 9, 2012

Ta.

Debbie C.

2:14AM PST on Feb 6, 2012

My husband watches her cooking show because he loves to cook. He has never made anything she shows. I, myself, have never seen her show and guess I haven't missed a thing.

Kathy P.

10:38AM PST on Feb 4, 2012

its all about money these days

Alexis P.

8:21AM PST on Jan 26, 2012

I cannot understand how anyone in their right mind would want to eat the garbage this woman makes. It sickens me the oil, or the way she pronounces it aowill, tons of butter, her total disregard of annimals suffering on factory farms. She is the typical, evil go for the money and i don't care who i trample and or kill on my way. I am glad she's sick. she deserves it.

Adrianne P.

12:26PM PST on Jan 25, 2012

She is ridiculous. She didnt want to announce it before, b/c she had no drug deal to say "hey, eat my fatty disgusting food. It's ok, you can take a pill for it."
She could have taken the opportunity to shift gears to healthy eating and healthy cooking.

Ashley L.

10:30AM PST on Jan 25, 2012

The whole thing is ridiculous. It all comes down to $$$.

Valeria G.

6:10PM PST on Jan 24, 2012

Good for you, for recognizing a bullshit move when you pull one! It's something we've all got to watch out for. :)

Stephanie A.

10:10PM PST on Jan 23, 2012

Yes, you hit the nail on the head. It is my accountability. I know I should do better than I'm doing, and that's what I should focus on. Great article!