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    Paula Deen and the Food Gestapo

    By Alex Wibholm | Yahoo! Contributor Network – Thu, Jan 19, 2012
    This story comes from the Yahoo! Contributor Network, where individuals publish their unique perspectives on some of the world’s most popular websites.
    Do you have a story to tell? Become a Yahoo! contributor

    COMMENTARY | This Tuesday, Food Network Star Paula Deen revealed on "The Today Show" that she had been recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Deen, who is famous for her tasty yet often fried and fatty dishes, has been receiving vicious backlash from fellow celeb chef Anthony Bourdain.

    Bourdain, star of the Travel Channel's "No Reservations," recently wrote the following jab about Deen on Twitter: "Thinking of getting into the leg-breaking business, so I can profitably sell crutches later."

    This is on top of previous comments in which he called Deen "most dangerous person to America" who is "proud of the fact that her food is f---ing bad for you."

    Listen, I get exactly where Anthony Bourdain is coming from. I, like tens of millions of Americans, have had a constant struggle with eating right and maintaining a healthy weight my entire life. And being able to cut out calories in my cooking has had a big impact on improving my overall health. But blasting Paula Deen publicly will not change the eating habits of one single person.

    For starters, ask the average 8-year-old which is healthier; a plate of French Fried Potato Balls or a salad, and without question they would know the healthier option. It doesn't take a Master's Degree in Nutrition to realize that a couple sticks of butter or three cups of sugar in any recipe isn't a great diet plan. Thin people, obese people, we all know what we should be eating. Every meal, we make a choice of how we will eat, healthy or unhealthy.

    Secondly, I have caught her show on the Food Network a few times and I have never heard her claim to be a dieting expert or healthy food chef. She is what she is: a soulful woman that is great at making fantastic and rich southern dishes.

    And last time I checked, watching Paula Deen's show isn't mandatory. If you think that her show is filling your head with unhealthy recipes, be an adult and change the channel. If you don't like watching college basketball, turn off ESPN; if you don't like raunchy cartoon comedies, turn off FOX Sunday nights; and if you don't like watching cooking shows that use butter, sugar, whole milk, etc, then turn off Paula Deen's show.

    Otherwise, learn to appreciate her for what she is: A woman that is great at demonstrating meals that are on occasion, both fun to cook and eat.

     

    5 comments

    • PlumLoopy
      PlumLoopy  •  Chicago, Illinois  •  4 mths ago
      Anthony Bourdain doesn't give a crap what you think about him. That's why people like his style.
    • carol
      carol  •  Pleasanton, California  •  4 mths ago
      i am a Diabetic and I do not hold Paula Dean responsible for my choices.People should take responsibility for their health and their choices. Leave this woman alone!
    • Gerald B
      Gerald B  •  Galveston, Texas  •  4 mths ago
      I somewhat disagree with the authors reasoning. People may know what is bad for them, but not everyone. Obviously Paula Deen didnt know that eating all that southern goodness would give her Type II. Many people are ignorant of good healthy food choices.
      • Laura J
        Laura J 4 mths ago
        And Type II diabetes is not only caused by poor eating habits. I know quite a few people who eat terribly and are NOT diabetic. I also know some people are are thin as rails, eat healthy foods for the most part and are diabetic. Some of it is dietary, some of it is genetic. And some people choose to enjoy life while they are here, #$%$ the consequences. It's called freedom of choice.
    • scott
      scott  •  4 mths ago
      So Anthony, what specifically is it with Paula Deen that you do not like about yourself?

      I think it's safe to say that I'd rather have what has passed Paula's lips than your's.
      • Clare
        Clare 4 mths ago
        I agree with Scott and Alex. I LOVE Paula Deen. She is a great person and personality. Her food is not for daily consumption but for a once in a while. Leave her alone. Are you Jealous???
    • cc
      cc  •  4 mths ago
      @Alex...I would hardly call Paula Deen the most dangerous person in America and I agree that some people's comments have been over the top... But you need to get your facts straight before you comment.
      Paula Deen was not recently diagnosed, she was diagnosed 3 years ago. She is a public figure by choice and has cooking shows on TV promoting her southern style of cooking. And yes, she IS promoting HER cooking style, otherwise why have a show at all? If she was a public figure in some other field (ie acting or the music industry), her diabetes would have little or no impact. However, she is a cook, Type 2 diabetes is a most often a lifestyle disease, her cooking style, as a part of her lifestyle, was a contributing factor. SImply acknowledging her diagnosis at the time she could have helped a great many people by leading by example and sharing some of the ways she is managing her diabetes through diet and exercise. Having far more skill and food knowledge than the average person, she could offer some alternative ingredients to use in her recipes to make them more diabetes friendly.
      Most people would have no problem had she only come forward earlier and admitted that her cooking style played a part in her diabetes. In fact, in doing so, she could have been a great role model and encouraged others to get tested and diagnosed, and put a face to this disease.
     Post a comment
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