More health revelations from Paula Deen?
AP photo
Paula Deen’s health is back in the news. The blogosphere, anyway.
The Daily, which seems to have a source with access to Deen’s medical records, as it was the first outlet to report Deen’s diabetic diagnosis, suggests a second health revelation is in the ether.
Deen was taping a segment with Dr. Mehmet Oz the other day when he asked, “You have another secret, don’t you? You have high blood pressure.”
This sent Team Deen into “a tizzy,” The Daily reports, with a publicist leaping in to stop the interview with the admonition: “You can’t air that.”
Actually this isn’t exactly breaking news. The Daily links to a story that our former AJC colleague Jim Auchmutey wrote in 2007, in which Deen told him she took blood pressure medication. She also shared details of a recent day’s worth of dining.
“Yesterday was so bad,” Deen said in that 2007 interview. “I started off the day with a sausage, egg and cheese biscuit from Hardee’s. For lunch, I had a fabulous chocolate-stuffed, chocolate-covered eclair that I made for the show. And for dinner, I had fried fish and fried shrimp from Captain D’s. Now is that horrible or what?”
On the other hand, she didn’t want anyone to know about her affinity for cigarettes, asking during the 2007 interview, “Y’all don’t have to tell people that I smoke, do you?”
Since Deen’s revelation that she was diagnosed three years ago with type II diabetes, she has begun working as a celebrity pitchwoman for a diabetes drug. Her web site now touts lighter versions of her high-calorie classics and her Twitter account espouses a healthier lifestyle.
“Just in time for the Super Bowl, Bobby and Jamie have some lighter meatballs to bring to the field,” she posted the other day, referring to her sons’ new cookbook which includes lighter recipes.
Deen’s chief critic, fellow on-air food personality (and fellow smoker) Anthony Bourdain, hasn’t been amused by her pivot to diabetic coach.
“Thinking of getting into the leg-breaking business,” he tweeted the other day, “so I can profitably sell crutches later.”
- Jennifer Brett/The Buzz/jbrett@ajc.com
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164 comments Add your comment
aon
January 25th, 2012
1:28 pm
rATL – she has known for 3 years that she has diabetes and obviously longer that she has high blood pressure. Her type of diabetes and the high blood pressure is directly related to her weight and her weight is related to her diet. Yet she continued to promote unhealth foods like fried butterballs. What part of that is not dishonest? She kept this information to herself because it would destroy the image she has created over the years (what is the first word you think of when you hear the name Paula Deen? Butter?). This is the description of the food available at her restaurant “The specialty is a buffet, which typically includes sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese, deep-fried Twinkies, fried chicken, cheesy meatloaf, greens, beans, and creamed corn. Every meal is served with a garlic cheese biscuit and one of Deen’s famous hoecakes.” Yes, it is up to the individual to choose what and how much they eat; sadly it does not work that way (possibly the reason why McDonalds now offers healthier Happy Meal options). Celebrity brings a certain social responsibility whether they want it or not, that is just the way it is.
Barbara Dooley
January 25th, 2012
1:29 pm
And to atlantatoseattle2016…Delta is ready when you are…go choke on some tofu!
Actually
January 25th, 2012
1:33 pm
@LISTEN Speaking of slow, the reference to being southern is to point out for those of us who are speaking out against Paula Deen’s greed is not because we are anti-southern as you appear to be. Think outside the biased box.
Joe Mama
January 25th, 2012
1:49 pm
aon — “cheesy meatloaf”
Not to mention meaty cheeseloaf.
Secret Supporter of Occupy Bogart
January 25th, 2012
1:54 pm
Paula Dean, Paul Dean…your as mean as heavy cream! “Bore” Dane, “Bore” Dane…dring some liquior fly a plane! – Newt G…er…I mean….Moon Unit
Avg American
January 25th, 2012
2:19 pm
She epitomizes the decline of the avg American…getting fatter by the hour and dumber and uglier by the day. Frankly, I’m surprised this over-indulged non-exercising behemoth is still alive.
Avg American
January 25th, 2012
2:22 pm
A diet Coke with that mac and super sized fries please….
Gracie Mae
January 25th, 2012
3:21 pm
@atlantatoseattle: don’t let the door hit you in the butt. We’ll help you pack.
Integrity
January 26th, 2012
5:12 am
O.K. ; So you don’t like the type of food Paula cooks, and you don’t like the fact she is advertising for a diabetic medication. Just don’t eat the food and don’t take the medication. No one is forcing anyone to do anything. Paula is a wonderful success story of a lady who has worked herself up through the ranks from simply struggling to raise her sons and survive. Life is all about choices, if you do everything that is shared by most other celebrities on TV (and in publications) regarding their lifestyle choices, would the standard be any different or your health any better?
diane
January 26th, 2012
7:17 am
We watch Paula Dean to be entertained. We do not always cook the food she cooks but we sure as hell like watching her make it and dream about eating it ourselves. Bourdain’s problem is his sanctimonious attitude and his own lack of endorsements. If gluttony is Paula’s sin then envy is Bourdain’s.
J.J.
January 26th, 2012
8:11 am
Paula Deen exemplifies all that is wrong and ignorant concerning southern stereotypes. Look, I was born and raised here, but I certainly do not have to put on a fake, candy-coated sassy, over-the-top, disingenuous character to charm those people I deal with an interact with, especially the non-southerners. She is painful to watch, hear and see her fat face all over food packaging at the supermarket. Please, just go away and take your Kripsy-Kreme bun cheeseburger covered in syrup with you.
Actually
January 26th, 2012
10:42 am
Maybe this will give Paula Deen the reality check she has been over due to receive, but somehow I doubt it. One thing I think I will never figure out though. She didn’t want people to know she smoked but, she was fine with sticking her fingers in her mouth up to the first joint only to be followed with handling everything in front of her AND overstuffing her face like a defiant child. There are some things that just aren’t cute and actually become disgusting when it is thrust in your face up close and personal on the televsion. But that was ok as long as we didn’t find out she smoked….
Carlaruth
January 26th, 2012
6:26 pm
Bourdain quit smoking when he became a father. He will be the first to admit that his lifestyle choices haven’t always been the best. However, he doesn’t have a cooking show featuring deep fried lard balls covered in cheese, and his books are essays, memoirs and fiction. His issue with Paula is that she’s a hypocrite.
Actually
January 27th, 2012
10:33 am
Now, I see the Deen boys’ efforts at damage control to save themselves has timely surfaced. They’re saying they were so upset they were going to leave the familly management but Paula pressured them to go along with her latest money making scheme with the drug company. Shades of, “The devil made me do it.” How old are these two?! Its insulting to anyone’s intelligence. I am boycotting the whole lot.