Paula Deen, the popular Southern belle of cooking, revealed that she has had Type 2 diabetes for three years.This unfortunate news ironically presented her with a lucrative opportunity as the new face for Novo Nordisk, a pharmaceutical company that makes diabetes medication.The Food Network chef, known for her unhealthy guilty-pleasures, has been the target of negative press, particularly from critics with an “I told you so” attitude.
I find this news extremely heart-breaking. First and foremost, my heart goes out to Paula Dean, regardless of her food preferences. While I could dwell on the consequences of eating a diet that is primarily made up of fried, fatty and sugar-filled food, I rather focus on a larger issue: the underlying message that this announcement is reinforcing to the public.
The message: Rather than focusing on prevention or improving your overall health, just take a “magic pill” that will “manage” your disease, so you can continue to carry on with the same lifestyle.
Okay, I know this is a bit over-dramatic, but it’s not far from the truth. Too often, we rely on medication to quickly mask diseases rather than getting to the real issue. What? Why? and How? It’s time to start asking questions and finding answers.
Diabetes should not be an acceptable lifestyle. We should not be able to find a Diabetic Living magazine next to a Better Homes and Garden magazine nor should there be a grocery store aisle dedicated to diabetes. Even worse, pharmaceutical companies should not be thriving from a growing, “sick” clientele. This is not normal. In fact, it is unacceptable!
It’s time to focus on prevention rather than disease management. If only Paula Deen had accepted an endorsement that reinforced healthy ways to prevent/reverse diabetes…
For those interested in learning more about diabetes including ways to reverse it, check out Dr. Neal Barnard’s Program for Reversing Diabetes (Fantastic book and doctor and one of my favorite instructors)!
What are your thoughts on Paula Deen’s announcement?
Great article Natalie. Ironic that she had the disease for 3 years and just now going public with this while cashing in from the pharma industry.