Paula Deen's Cheeseburger Lunch Is a Slap in the Face to Diabetes Diagnosis

on January 27, 2012 at 12:48 PM

paula deen holding fried chicken Wow, Paula Deen might just be the new poster lady for anyone who ever felt like denouncing a healthy lifestyle. After revealing that she's had type 2 diabetes for the past three years -- you know, only once she had nailed down a biz deal to represent a drug for the condition -- she was spied the other day enjoying a cheeseburger with a plate of fries, while dining aboard her annual "Party at Sea" Caribbean cruise. Haaa ...

Well, given that she told the TODAY show that she doesn't want to "let diabetes stand in the way of enjoying [her] life," I guess we shouldn't be all that surprised that Paula is, in fact, enjoying her favorite way of life. If you know anything about Paula, you know the Southern chef is a big fan of butter, cheese, meat, fried foods, and mountains of refined carbs and sugar. Oh, and butter, did I mention that ... boatloads of butter?

To be fair, Paula has defended herself by saying she has never advised her fans to eat these "forbidden" foods 24/7/365, and that's fair. So. By the same logic, we can't exactly assume from ONE photo of her chowing down on a cheeseburger that she's also continuing to eat poorly despite her diagnosis. Maybe this was just a treat for her?

On the other hand, there's a chance the photo could indicate how careless Paula is being about her health. Maybe she truly isn't following the recommended diet for type 2 diabetes patients to the tee ... or at all. But even if that's the case, I say, it's none of our damn business. If Paula doesn't want to take care of herself, that's her problem. You can't make someone care about their wellness. Not even her closest loved ones could make her change her ways. It's the same thing as cancer patients who refuse to stop smoking. It's an addiction to a lifestyle, and if you don't have any concrete self-motivation to quit, nothing's going to change. So I guess there's really not much we can do but allow the woman to eat her artery-clogging lunch in peace!

Still, it strikes me as sad, because no matter what you think about her diagnosis and decadent dishes, no one wants to see Paula Deen destroy herself. (Okay, except maybe Tony Bourdain ...)

What do you think is going on with Paula Deen? Is she refusing to take care of herself -- or just "enjoying her life"?

Image via FoodNetwork.com

About the author Maressa Brown

has enjoyed reporting and writing for a variety of entertainment and women's magazines and websites. More often than not, you'll find her blogging, reading, researching something on her iPhone, laughing, chatting at an above-"normal" volume, or getting her caffeine fix.

Filed Under: general health, eating healthy

Comments (63)

jessicasmom1

on Jan 27, 2012 at 12:51 PM

That is right Paula! Keep it going strong !!

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PamalaLauren

on Jan 27, 2012 at 1:02 PM

It's hard to say. I've always been of the belief that if my doctor ever comes back and says I'm pre-diabetic that I'd alter my eating right away, but that's easier said than done I think.

She can do whatever she pleases. I'd hope though she is taking it seriously.

Nonmember comment from jaytee

on Jan 27, 2012 at 1:05 PM

Why in the world are people sooooo concerned about what she eats? She knows she has diabetes! If she doesn't want to alter her eating habits that's on her.

Nonmember comment from Sabrina'smom

on Jan 27, 2012 at 1:09 PM

People like Paula disgust me. Maybe because I've always taken care of my body and have been a lifelong athlete I can't understand what would make people want to pollute their bodies like Paula. Greedy, gluttonous, lazy over-eaters make my skin crawl. Paula has gotten rich off of this filth, so she'll be able to pay for her amputations and major infections that result from circulation loss in Type 2 Diabetes. Most greedy slobs don't have that money. Insurance companies and tax dollars pay for the medical treatment for people like her, who refuse to practice self control. I'm definitely one of those RNs at insurance companies who deny claims when there is stone cold evidence that a patient refused to comply with doctors orders and worsened their condition. I'm tired of the smokers and over eaters making everyone else pay for there blatant disrespect of their own bodies.

billsfan1104

on Jan 27, 2012 at 1:13 PM

My Aunt has type 2 diabetes and she eats very healthy. always had. And she still developed diabetes. I feel for her now, because every single picture will be of her stuffing her face and eating. Even if she stuff her face with green beans, someone will complain that it had bacon on it. She wont be able to win, so she probably isnt going to fight the negative nancys out there.

Nonmember comment from Krissy

on Jan 27, 2012 at 1:15 PM

Oh please. I won't pretend like it's cheap to eat healthy, but Paula Deen and many others are just lazy and greedy. No one needs a greasy deep fried diet. Americans are just over indulgent. I personally don't care if she's eating herself to death--which she definitely is--but it's pretty pathetic. I have no sympathy for people who CHOOSE to put their lives at risk.

pflip

It's her body, her life. Let her live it how she wants to.

Delamara

on Jan 27, 2012 at 1:16 PM

Wow...so it's wrong to judge that show Teen Mom but we can judge all we want on a lady eating a cheeseburger? You have no idea how she eats at home or what she even ate before or after that burger. Even people on diets cheat a little....give it a rest. I didn't know her diabetes was affecting your life so bad.

Joey_01

on Jan 27, 2012 at 1:23 PM

Just because she's diabetic does not mean she has to give up everything! Screw anyone that judges her, she's not the only chef with diabetes! A cheeseburger and fries will have less carbs than say, a big ol' piece of cake or pie or sweet pastry or even very "healthy for you" fruit!!!

That burger could have very well been a lean ground meat, low fat cheese, high fiber bun with baked french fries - the source doesn't say how the food was prepared.

I am a type 2 diabetic and know that I can have things in moderation. If I want to have an "unhealthy" type meal, then I watch what I eat at my other meals. If I have something that is higher in carbs, then I go for a walk, do some aerobic exercises or clean house/move around (walking/exercising lowers blood sugar very well and quickly!)

Ya'll haters leave Paula alone!

Nonmember comment from GymRat

on Jan 27, 2012 at 1:24 PM

Sedentary lifestyles contribute to type 2 diabetes. Unlike like Type 1, where your pancreas doesn't produce insulin at all, type 2 is preventable. Paula Deen may treat her body like a garbage disposal, but her lack of being physically active hurt her just as much. I didn't know that in this day and age people still find it ok to live like that, even if you are from the south. Keep eating delicious poison and sitting on your butts America. I guess people will think it's "normal" when the whole country looks like Paula Deen.