Celebrity News

Paula Deen confirms diabetes, reveals she got diagnosis 3 years ago

Celebrity chef Paula Deen has confirmed a report that she has been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. In fact, in a shocking twist, Deen shares that she got her diagnosis three years ago.

Deen appeared on “Today” this morning to answer questions about her condition.

“I was diagnosed three years ago during a regular physical exam with my doctor,” Deen said. “I am here today to let the world know that it is not a death sentence.”

PAULA DEEN HAS DIABETES: REPORT

When asked by Al Roker why she kept her disease a secret for so long, while still championing high-fat and sugar-laden Southern recipes, Deen revealed that it was part of an intentional strategy.

“I intentionally did it, Al,” Deen said. “I said ‘I’m going to keep this close to my chest for the time being,’ because I had to figure things out in my own head. I could have walked out said, ‘Hey y’all, I have been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes,’ and walked away. I had nothing to give. I wanted to bring something to the table … I did not [want to] let diabetes stand in the way of enjoying my life.”

When asked directly if her eating habits led to her diagnosis, Deen demurred.

“Certainly, that is part of the puzzle,” Deen said. “But there are other things that can lead to diabetes.”

Along with revealing her condition, Deen has unveiled a new website called Diabetes in a New Light. The site is a partnership with pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, which specializes in diabetes care. It had been reported by The Daily last week that Deen had signed a multi-million dollar deal with a drug maker.

“Hey y’all. I’m here to share something with you,” Deen says in a video on the new site, which specializes in diabetes-friendly recipes. “A while back I was told that I have Type 2 Diabetes. I wasn’t about to change my life, but I have made simple changes in my life, like cutting back on one of my favorite things — sweet tea! And for a Southern girl, that’s a big deal.”

Until now, Deen has been known for recipes like deep-fried mac and cheese and the lasagna sandwich. But the chef is changing her tune on decadent recipes.

“Over the years, many of you with diabetes have asked me for ways to make some of my recipes a little lighter,” continues Deen, who turns 65 on Thursday. “[I’m] going to provide you with new ways to approach lighter cooking while still keeping it light and delicious.”

Deen’s new site gets extra mileage from her sons, Bobby and Jamie Deen, co-owners in the family’s Savannah, Ga., restaurant The Lady & Sons. The two younger chefs have more closely aligned themselves with healthy cooking. Bobby recently debuted a show on the Cooking Channel called “Not My Mama’s Meals,” specializing in healthy fare. In the first recipe posted on the site, Bobby and Jamie are pictured helping their mother cook a lighter version of their restaurant’s signature lasagna, made with extra-lean beef and whole-wheat noodles.

Deen has revealed that she will be doing more than just lighter cooking, though, to maintain her health. She says that she is currently taking Victoza, Novo Nordisk’s once-daily non-insulin injunction. She is also focusing on “staying active and managing stress.”

“I’m taking more walks with my husband Michael and I’m running after our grandchildren,” says Deen. “And I love it all.”

Last summer, chef Anthony Bourdain called Deen, who had yet to reveal her diagnosis, “the worst, most dangerous person to America” for pushing unhealthy recipes. When asked by Eater.com what he thought of Deen’s diagnosis, he retained his critical tenor towards the Southern chef.

“When your signature dish is hamburger in between a doughnut, and you’ve been cheerfully selling this stuff knowing all along that you’ve got Type 2 Diabetes,” he said. “It’s bad taste if nothing else.”