Paula Deen's diabetes uncovered, expect statement soon

UPDATE---Tues.1/17/12----New York City----Deen made her announcement on NBC's "Today" show in an interview with Al Roker. The biggest news is that Deen was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes three years ago. She addressed questions about why she waited and what she has to offer fellow diabetes patients. Video of the interview and article linked here.
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If Paula Deen, 64 has type 2 diabetes, as the L.A. Times is reporting today, it will confirm reports from April 2011 in the National Enquirer tabloid. They were either ignored or denied by the Deen camp as were attacks on her high fat-high sugar recipes that now might be joined by diabetes-friendly fare.

The long knives, so to speak, are out for Deen by fellow foodies and some in media who have castigated her attitude towards loading up on the things that bring obesity and diabetes in their wake.

From The Daily: "When Deen’s cookbook for kids, “Lunch-Box Set,” was published in 2009, Barbara Walters asked her, “You tell kids to have cheesecake for breakfast. You tell them to have chocolate cake and meatloaf for lunch. And french fries. Doesn’t it bother you that you’re adding to this?”

Another critic, Anthony Bourdain host of the Food Network's "No Reservations” lashed out during 2011 at Deen saying she should, “think twice before telling an already obese nation that it’s OK to eat food that is killing us.” Reports about the situation claim that Deen was diagnosed some time ago and has tried to keep the news from going public.

The Times sources says that drug maker Novartis will go into business with Paula Deen but no one will speak on the record after media members sought comments.

Along with her wildly popular television program on the Food Network, Deen has published five cookbooks and is part owner of a restaurant in Savannah, Georgia along with her sons. Some of her menu items can be called an "instant heart attack" or just plum yummy and delicious, depending on your point of view.

The backlash against public efforts to come to grips with the U.S.'s obesity problem among adults and most alarmingly, among children has been swift in some circles. It even got politicized in 2010.

First Lady Michelle Obama rolled out an anti-obesity program called Let's Move. She was pilloried in conservative-Tea Party circles for taking away Americans' "God-given rights to make our own decisions." Sarah Palin made comments about Obama's efforts at suggesting some healthy alternatives to high sugar, high fat snack foods. Read: Sarah Palin hisses at Michelle Obama."

In an episode of her reality show, "Sarah Palin's Alaska" the former governor of the state spoke out during a camping scene where she and her companions were going to make S'Mores. "This is in honor of Michelle Obama, who said the other day we shouldn't have desserts."

Image source: Wikimedia Commons/Worker Bee