Most of us know that Paula Deen does not promote healthy cooking. She is the Queeen of Butter and everyone is in on the joke. To blame her for her own illness? We need to remember this - diabetes isn't caused by overeating alone. It isn't caused by too much butter or sugar or bacon. It can be caused by being obese and inactive, AND having a genetic predisposition for the disease. It also comes on later in life for many, many people as aging takes its toll on our organs and also Hispanic and African Americans are much more genetically susceptible.
We do have a family predisposition for diabetes late in life. However, my grandfather who contracted it was as thin as a rail and as active as a toddler. Not the picture they would place in our minds as a diabetic.
When questioned about the health issues of eating her kind of cooking, Deen told Oprah 'Honey, I'm your cook, not your doctor.' And that is the truth. We are all responsible for our health and decisions about our diet and exercise.
It is time to take away the stigma and shame that the health police are attaching to diabetes. While patients with heart disease or cancer are often showered with sympathy, people with Type 2 diabetes are criticized for being fat, lazy or junk food junkies. We need to be more supportive of those at risk so they will be tested , and if diagnosed, control their condition so they are not plagued with further health problems.
I'm kinda disappointed by Paula's comments about this whole thing. Based on what I saw of her on the Today Show. I found it too coincidental that she's known for 3 years but only now with her commercial venture is speaking up. Really?! But I was also disappointed that Paula seemed to want to find any cause for this other than her eating. I know - it can have a genetic component. I know - there are many possible causes. But one's diet CAN be a contributing factor and I have yet to hear her acknowledge that maybe, just maybe, the food she teaches millions to cook might be unhealthy in any way. Now, she did say she preaches moderation in those foods. Maybe she does and I've just never heard that. I just think she might be missing a great chance here to have a very positive impact.
ReplyDeleteI'd be curious to know if Paula attempted to deal with her diabetes through changes in her eating habits.
ReplyDeleteIt would be great if she would become an advocate for healthy eating and exercise, but it appears that like so many people, she'd much rather take a pill to deal with her health issue instead of working on the underlying factors. (If there are any, which at face value, there appear to be.)