Paula Deen On Having Diabetes: ‘It Is Not A Death Sentence’

Al Roker -- who interviewed Deen -- pointed out that she is a “paid spokesperson for Novo Nordisk” and asked why she took so long to confirm the rumors.  (The National Enquirer first reported the story in April, 2005.)

Deen said she kept her condition “close to my chest” because “I had to figure things out in my own head...talk to my doctor … I had nothing to give to my fellow friends out there."

When Roker asked how she would respond to people who might say she delayed making the announcement so as to not damage her reputation and industry, she responded: "People are not going to quit eating. We quit eating, we're all out of here. I wanted to bring something to the table when I came forward, and I've always been one to think that I bring hope, because I've had lots of obstacles in my life, y'all."

In the video, she says:  “Hey ya’all. I’m here to share something with you. A while back I was told that I have Type 2 Diabetes. I wasn’t about to change my life, but I have made simple changes in my life, like cutting back on one of my favorite things -- sweet tea! And for a Southern girl, that’s a big deal. And I’m taking more walks with my husband Michael and I’m running after our grandchildren. And I love it all.

“Over the years, many of you with Diabetes, have asked me for ways to make some of my recipes a little lighter. That’s why  Bobby, Jamie, and I are so excited to have teamed up with Novo Nordisk because together we’re going to be here to provide you  with new ways to approach lighter cooking while still keeping it light and delicious.

“We’ll be sharing with you some simple things you can do every day, such staying active, and managing stress, and just pure taking care of yourself.

“My hope is that you can see life with Diabetes in a new light and that you’ll get the most out of each and every day. So ya’ll pull up a chair and join us because as always I’m wishing you love and lighter dishes from my kitchen to yours.”

In a release, Deen also revealed she’s taking Victoza,  a once-daily, non-insulin injection, and continues to "make lifestyle adjustments, including lightened-up versions of her favorite recipes."

The 64-year-old chef from Albany, Georgia  has been slammed by health groups for the high amounts of fat, salt and sugar in her dishes and for even including cheesecake for breakfast in her children's cookbook, Lunch-Box Set.

Last August, No Reservations host Anthony Bourdain called Deen “the worst, most dangerous person to America” and said she should “think twice before telling an already obese nation that it’s OK to eat food that is killing us.”

True to form, the menu at her Savannah, Georgia restaurant The Lady & Sons includes such gut-busting offerings as pulled pork, meatloaf sandwich with mayonnaise, mac and cheese, Southern fried chicken, peach cobbler and gooey butter cakes.

It seems that even one of her sons, Bobby Deen, understands the health dangers of Paula's creations, as he launches a new show on the Cooking Channel called Not My Mama's Meals, which offers healthier alternatives to Southern favorites.