What are your views?

Hazel_B

Until I met FI, I had never heard of Paula Deen. Now she seems almost everywhere to me.

What are your views of her telling the world she has been diabetic (type 2) for awhile and is now a spokesperson for a diabetes medication?

I really liked her before, but I feel like I've lost a lot of respect for her now.

swhite2012

I heard about it, but I really haven't thought about it that much. I think it's a sign of our culture and a glimpse into our futures if things continue. 

bethsmiles

I love Paula Dean! I used to watch her show with my grandma and her recipes are so good!

I guess I'm confused about why you have lost respect for her because she has diabetes.

motoLyn

I know Paula Deen as the butter lady.  She loves her butter.  I heard the story on the radio this morning how she endorses cooking with butter and now is a spokesperson for a diabetic medicine.  It does raise the eyebrows.  I do actually like her she's entertaining on her cooking show.  But Paula in this situation seems to be a hypocrite because she still will endorse a heavy hand in her cooking even though she is diabetic.

jemmini6

I wasn't surprised with the diagnosis...I mean, if you've ever seen one of her shows, it's pretty obvious that diabetes was a possibility for the way she cooks.

Other than that, I really don't have any feelings about it.  I never really watched her shows because I wasn't interested in eating a pound of butter in every meal, and I still won't because she said she's not really changing her style, just emphasizing eating in moderation (which still won't help with the way she cooks, but oh well).

[Deleted User]

I still like her.  I'm not surprised by the diagnosis, and I think it could an honest awakening to people that don't watch their diet and lifestyle.  Paula was all about butter and sugar; her meals were generally unhealthy, and probably not a good fit for a healthy lifestyle (except as once in a while treats).  I think the diagnosis could really shake things up for people that think it could never happen to them.

why do you feel like you've lost respect exactly?  I thought it was a good thing that she is speaking up for diabetes and changing her lifestyle.  I was a little surprised it took her so long to come public, but in a sense I can't blame her.  it would be hard to reconcile her past (butter/sugar queen) with a new and uncertain future.  I can see why it might take a while to come to terms with the diagnosis and figure out how to make such a big lifestyle adjustment.

I sent the article to my mom.  my mom does not take care of her health (eats like Paula, doesn't exercise much).  she didn't understand why I was so insistent on trying healthier recipes.  but diabetes runs in her side of the family, and my H's family also has a few cases of diabetes, so we wanted to make sure that we had a good foundation for a healthy lifestyle to avoid all that.  I'm really hoping that my mom will start to make small changes too.

my brother is borderline diabetic.  obese (BMI of 50+, it was 54 a year ago, not sure about now) and doesn't exercise.  eats junk.  I always worry that he'll get full blown diabetes.  one of his guy friends (healthy guy actually!) was rushed to the ER for way low BP and other things, and it turned out he was diabnosed with Type II diabetes!  for a few months that motivated my bro to lose some weight and exercise, but he gave it up and is almost back where he started. 

Hazel_B

I guess I've lost respect because she's been diabetic for a couple of years and her recipes continue to be as decadent as they ever were. Then out of nowhere she's a spokesperson for a medication.

I just think she could have been a better rolemodel.

Elle1036

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_views?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:643beebb-412c-4ee8-aa3d-1ad9df0b7821Post:9954dc1d-f56a-4a39-9eb3-5e386eaf56af">Re: What are your views?</a>:
[QUOTE]I wasn't surprised with the diagnosis...I mean, if you've ever seen one of her shows<strong>, it's pretty obvious that diabetes was a possibility for the way she cooks.</strong> Other than that, I really don't have any feelings about it.  I never really watched her shows because I wasn't interested in eating a pound of butter in every meal, and I still won't because she said she's not really changing her style, just emphasizing eating in moderation (which still won't help with the way she cooks, but oh well).
Posted by jemmini6[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>This is the only reason that her new endorsement bothers me.  It seems almost wrong to make money showing people how to cook some crazy-unhealthy crap (delicious though it may be) and then make money showing them how to treat the disease they get when they eat it.</div><div>
</div><div>Isn't that, like, double dipping?

</div>

[Deleted User]

I thought the article said that she's been working on a project to make some diabetic friendly recipes??

http://www.diabetesinanewlight.com/

this is her newest project.  it talks about her new life with diabetes, lightening up recipes, diabetes-friendly options, etc.

Hazel_B

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_views?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:643beebb-412c-4ee8-aa3d-1ad9df0b7821Post:ba47e584-05ea-4735-bb6c-8f92fd001aad">Re: What are your views?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: What are your views? : This is the only reason that her new endorsement bothers me.  It seems almost wrong to make money showing people how to cook some crazy-unhealthy crap (delicious though it may be) and then make money showing them how to treat the disease they get when they eat it. <strong>Isn't that, like, double dipping?
</strong>Posted by Elle1036[/QUOTE]

Exactly, this is where I'm losing respect.

[Deleted User]

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_views?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:643beebb-412c-4ee8-aa3d-1ad9df0b7821Post:2ffb69d5-0d6d-4a9e-b34d-10f561d7175f">Re: What are your views?</a>:
[QUOTE]My first thoughts about her diagnosis was "well that's not surprising."   I think it's fuucking ridiculous that she's saying that <strong>she's not going to change her cooking</strong> AND she's a spokesperson for diabetes medication.   Diet and exercise are two very effective ways to help control type II diabetes (not cure it).  Instead she's choosing to make money by advertising medication.   Her son is apparently doing his own show about lightening up his mom's recipes.  How one will lighten a cheeseburger with a fried egg served between two glazed donuts is beyond me, but whatever.  
Posted by yaga13[/QUOTE]

she IS working on changing her cooking. 

<a href="http://www.diabetesinanewlight.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.diabetesinanewlight.com/</a>

and about her endorsing the medication, from my POV, who better to endorse it and to help people with unhealthy lifestyles than someone they already identify with?  people like my mom already identify with Paula.  she loves her recipes.  and my mom is more likely to try out Paula's new lightened recipes and to read her thoughts on living with diabetes and changing to a healthier lifestyle than Rachael Ray or someone else...  because she already identifies with Paula.  she has a connection with Paula's cooking.  and if it could happen to Paula, it could happen to her.  and if Paula can find a way to still have good recipes but in a healthier way, then people like my mom are more likely to try it because of that connection. 

does that make sense? 

Hazel_B

Coco - maybe she is lightening things up (I'm with yaga, I don't know how on certain recipes), but that was never part of what I heard. Also, she has been diagnosed for about 3 years, so the whole thing seems questionable to me.

jorja86

I like Paula Deen's cooking, because it's friggin delicious. She annoys the crap out of me though, so I don't really watch her show.

I'm not surprised at all that she's a diabetic. She's probably got high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease as well. Her cooking is friggin delicious because it's like 50% butter and sugar.

 I think it's great if she's going to work on improving her recipes to be healthier. I think it's bullshiit that she hid the fact that she's diabetic for 3 years, then decided to make it public when it became a money making opportunity.

[Deleted User]

I can understand that.  I guess I come from a different POV.  I don't really get why it took her so long to come public, but at the same time I can imagine how purely devastating this news was to her.  her whole life was turned upside down.  but I think it's great that she is working on a new project and dealing with her diagnosis in a positive way.  I'm sure it's a hard thing to do, especially being such a public figure and well-known for her unhealthy recipes.  it's probably extremely embarrassing, but she's going forward.

I think of it as my mom.  you know?  I know it would take a while for my mom to come to terms with a diabetes diagnosis.  and I would want to support any efforts she would make to turn her lifestyle around. 

I've looked around on her new website.  I think it's really cool and positive.  I commend her for making these changes and for trying to keep face and be positive in public.  I can't judge her for taking her time in learning about the disease, coming to terms with it, and trying to apply that knowledge to change her lifestlye.  I can't say I understand it, but I can say that I don't judge it because I feel like that's exactly how someone like my mom would have reacted.  and I think it's wonderful that she's making it accessible for her fans.

cu97tiger

Put me in the 'I've lost respect for her' category. She conveniently kept her diabetes a secret until she was ready to announce a partnership with a drug company and 'diabetes-friendly' recipes. It sickens me.

[Deleted User]

I can't watch the video at work, unfortunately, but I'll try to remember to watch it tonight and see if it changes my opinion.  I've seen my mom looking around on her new site and at her lightened recipes.  if the only good that comes out of this whole thing is that my mom starts to make healthy changes because, GOD FORBID she could end up like Paula, then I'm happy. 

also, I've noticed that depending on the article, you'll get a slightly different response.

aaaaand...  I'm having trouble reconciling "not changing the way she cooks" with her new website and recipes on that website.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/17/paula-deen-diabetes-diet_n_1211277.html

I thought this article was interesting.  and if you look around on her new project site, there are a lot of tips on living a full life with diabetes that are very helpful.

and if she can have small portions of her old recipes, then more power to her.  I wouldn't want to live without cake or fried po'boys now and then.

I'm really not trying to be argumentative, but I think that she could be a really positive influence for people who like deep-fried and sugared foods.  it's not "all or nothing"...  you can live a full and HEALTHY life and have fried foods, butter, or sugar once in a while.  for some people it's the thought that they can NEVER have it again that keep them from trying to live healthy.  but in reality, you CAN have it, just not a lot of it and not all the time!

I'll watch the video tonight.  thanks yaga!

ETA:  http://www.pauladeen.com/article_view/diabetes_in_a_new_light/

[Deleted User]

while we're on the topic, what do you think of this:
http://www.delish.com/food/recalls-reviews/jamie-oliver-cookbook-2011-unhealthiest-list

I'm more inclined to judge him for his "healthy living" and "Food Revolution" campaigns than I am to judge Paula. 

at the same time, I think it's fine and even healthy to be able to eat things like this in moderation.   where do you draw the line?

Hazel_B

Coco - I completely agree that she could be a positive influence for people. I just feel that if that was her intention it is a little late for me. Numerous people in my family are diabetic and it isn't something it takes years to come to terms with. You are forced to adjust because of your health.

[Deleted User]

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_views?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:643beebb-412c-4ee8-aa3d-1ad9df0b7821Post:94811990-b283-496b-a844-3b53115709de">Re: What are your views?</a>:
[QUOTE]There's a follow up video that plays automatically after the interview.  They are speaking to a doctor who basically says that her message is wrong.  (The message she portrayed in the interview at least.)  I<strong>t's wrong because people don't understand what it really means to eat these things in moderation.  I know I certainly don't.   </strong>However, my issue is that 1. she kept it a secret for 3 years and continued to cook and 2. she's getting paid to be a spokesperson.  If she wasn't getting paid and if the tabloids weren't already talking about her diagnosis, would she have come out and said, "I have diabetes!"  Part of me says no.   BTW - that website is freaking sponsored by the same company she's a spokesperson for.  UGH.  That's just disgusting to me.  This is all about how can she market herself to make a profit.  
Posted by yaga13[/QUOTE]

I can definitely agree with that statement!!

[Deleted User]

Hazel - I think we all know people with diabetes...  it's becoming so common, and it's scary!!  I have a few family members with diabetes, and H has a cousin that died in his 20's because he had diabetes and didn't do a thing about it.  that cousin left a wife and very young kids.  he has other family memebers with diabetes.  it's so sad, especially since it possiblly could have been prevented!

I also agree that she had poor timing.  but at least she is DOING something about it.  and she is a great person to motivate OTHER people to do it, too.  I'm sure it would have been much easier to just fade into the background.  I respect her because she's taking the criticism and moving on.

it's frustrating to me, to see H's family in particular.  his family is latino, and generally they are VERY VERY VERY unhealthy.  EVERYTHING has lard in it.  not butter, LARD.  they feed their babies POP in a BOTTLE.  he has little cousins with no teeth because the pop rotted it out.  OMG.  but that's all they know.  that is their culture.  so I try really hard not to judge (although the kids with no teeth just make me ache), mainly because they're family now, and also because that's just all they know.

thankfully H's mom cooks a little healthier (with veg oil instead of lard, mostly), and we don't eat with them a whole lot.  we always bring a salad to the potlucks (the only vegetable there!)

jorja86

I do A LOT of diabetes teaching. Because probably 60-70% of my patients have it. And once you have diabetes (even without the obesity, although most people with type II diabetes are overweight or obese), you are much more likely to have multiple other diseases. Diabetes is just really, really hard on your body.

I understand wanting to eat bad things in moderation. For most of us, even those of us trying to lose weight, that's fine, healthy even. For people with diabetes, it's probably not. For one thing, they need to make broad lifestyle changes, and it goes much deeper than a typical diet. It works best when they have a fairly rigid plan. For another, the amount of carbs in most of Paula Deen's dishes would be way too much for a diabetic to have in one meal.

Medicine does not fix diabetes, it treats the symptoms. If she's really sending the message that you can still eat like crap and then take a pill to fix it, that is beyond fucked up.

I'm also of the opinion that if you put yourself in the public eye, especially is you voluntarily associate yourself with a cause, it IS your responsibility to walk the walk, and not just talk the talk.

desertsun

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_views?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:643beebb-412c-4ee8-aa3d-1ad9df0b7821Post:6bf8204f-4e7e-4608-b9ed-db601a210449">Re: What are your views?</a>:
[QUOTE]Here's what I think: Pot Call the Kettle Black. I feel bad that she never recognized the ways to prevent it, especially knowing she has a family history of. It does make me sick that she is promoting DM medications - it's like saying "Yes go eat whatever you want for 50 years because a magic medicine will make it better."  WHAT THE FLOCK.  <strong>Type 2 diabetic patients are the hardest to teach because they have to change their lifestyle and most are resistant to change. Their life is altered, and they have to begin to understand that the damage that has been done to their blood vessels is permanent, even if they can change their lifestyle/body weight and get off meds.</strong> I am a strong advocate for diabetes and I wish I could sit down and talk to her.
Posted by NurseyK[/QUOTE]

Exactly.

If you had spent your entire life and your entire career with one lifestyle, I bet it would take you some time to accept the need for change, too.

Just sayin'.

wink0erin

The double dipping thing is what bothers me. 

The fact she's peddling a diabetes drug WHILE STILL PROMOTING THE FOOD THAT CAUSES IT. 

I just think she is being terribly irresponsible. She could use this as an opportunity to be a better role model, to alter her brand to fit into a healthier lifestyle (while still having southern flare and a few "treats" every now and then.)

Yeah moderation is important, but not many people understand it and possibly never will (Just think about serving sizes and portions... go to a restaurant that serves you the proper amount and you'll feel ripped off because you're used to seeing the overflowing plate of food!)

I'm sure she could figure out how to make something delicious without using a pound of butter.

Peaseblossom55

I've never seen her cooking show or cooked one of her recipes but it seems pretty hypocritical though.  

How can you promote diabetes medicine but also the type of cooking that may be one of the causes of it???? So conflicting, I hope she begins to change her recipes and way of cooking for other to take example from.

beanbot2002

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_views?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:643beebb-412c-4ee8-aa3d-1ad9df0b7821Post:a9fc3c0a-d6c1-465b-9bfc-9ad1435c7810">Re: What are your views?</a>:
[QUOTE]This is all I care about: <a href="http://pauladeenridingthings.com/" rel="nofollow">http://pauladeenridingthings.com/</a>
Posted by ahstillwell[/QUOTE]

Awesome.