Posted on 01/18/2012 9:09:57 PM PST by doug from upland
Could it be the bacon, egg and glazed donut burgers, y’all?
When butter-loving country cook Paula Deen announced this week that she has type 2 diabetes, foodies everywhere started buzzing.
What can you expect when you concoct a Lady’s Brunch Burger out of bacon, eggs and a beef patty with glazed donuts for buns?
Could all that piggy pudding and Uncle Bubba’s seafood pot pie be to blame?
Sort of, local nutrition experts say. But not entirely.
Diabetes educators say no certain type of food leads to diabetes, but the calorie-laden goodies Deen whips up can lead to weight gain -- one of the culprits.
Weight, activity level and genetics all contribute to type 2 diabetes, said Marcia Johnson, clinical supervisor for the diabetes education program at Spectrum Health. Risk also increases as you age.
“Diabetes is much more common in people who are overweight, especially if they carry the extra weight in their midsection,” said Johnson, a registered nurse who has worked in diabetes education since 1979.
Sorry, Lots O’Meat Lasagna, darlin' -- you’re out.
Deen, 64, star of the Food Network show “Paula's Best Dishes,” found out three years ago she has type 2 diabetes, but kept it under her hat until this week, when she revealed the news to Al Roker on NBC's Today show.
Deen told Roker she doesn’t plan to change how she cooks, but said she has always encouraged moderation.
"I share with you all these yummy, fattening recipes,” she said on "Today." “But I tell people, in moderation ... it's entertainment. People have to be responsible."
No more pork chops with cheddar and bacon grits?
“This kind of food is unhealthy not just for diabetics, but for everybody,” Johnson said.
But lovers of Deen’s fried chicken and beefy macaroni and cheese don’t have to give the comfort food up entirely, Johnson said.
“Occasionally treat yourself to a small portion,” she said. “Or rework a recipe so it’s healthier.”
Deen’s son Bobby does just that, promoting lower-calorie versions of his mom’s recipes, on his new Cooking Channel show, “Not My Mama’s Meals.”
Experts say a big factor is genetics – whether you’ve inherited a susceptibility to the condition.
“If you have those genes -- relatives with diabetes -- you want to get regular check-ups,” said Carolyn Belsito, registered dietitian and diabetes educator at Metro Health.
“We’re learning more about the causes of diabetes all the time,” Belsito said. “There are studies that show you’re at a higher risk if you have sleep apnea, as well as stress.”
Experts say small changes in lifestyle can make a big difference.
Deen has said that since the diagnosis, she quit drinking sweet tea. That’s a big change for a Southern gal.
“Giving up sugary beverages can have a huge influence,” said Spectrum Health’s Johnson. “People often drink a whole day’s worth of calories just in their beverages.”
Deen also said she now regularly hits the treadmill -- another good move to prevent the disease, Johnson said.
“Exercise helps with weight control, but it also immediately burns up blood sugar,” Johnson said, “and it continues to drop for the next day or two.”
One in 12 people in West Michigan has diabetes, according to 2008 data from the Alliance for Health. Statewide, the disease is estimated to cost $6.5 billion in health care expenses and lost time from work.
Diabetes prevents the body from making or using the insulin needed to convert food into energy. Sugar builds up in the blood, and that can eventually damage the heart, eyes, kidneys and feet.
Deen is now being paid as a spokesperson for Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical company that supplies her diabetes medication. She and her family are appearing in a new ad campaign for the company this month.
Meanwhile, experts say they’re happy the butter diva went public.
“It’s a wake-up call for people who might see themselves in her,” said Belsito of Metro Health.
“I hope some good can come from this,” Spectrum’s Johnson said. “Diabetes is mostly self-managed, so getting people talking about it and learning about it is good.”
So is Double Chocolate Ooey Gooey Butter Cake. But just a smidgen, y’all.
It aint he eggs and bacon.
Check the jelly donut.
I think I won't take diet advice from a frigging nurse, thankyouverymuch.
Pork chops, cheese and grits are NOT inherently bad.
Humans require fats, starches, proteins and small amounts of vitamins and trace elements, including salt, or they die.
I hate food fetishists.
Folks, if you eat, you are going to die. Trust me.
And if you don't eat, you die faster.
/johnny
Not that complicated.
Cut out all sugar, white flour, bread and pasta.
Bingo!
Add the large amounts of heavy cream and sugar- not an overnight event with her weight and eating.
No, you may NOT have one ping.
I like donuts and I like burgers, but I cannot fathom eating that! Just because a donut looks like a bun doesn’t mean it should be used as one!
The only people I know who drink diet soda are obese people. MrR and I believe in REAL food (incl whole milk, real cream and real butter, red meat, etc) in moderation.
I don’t believe in diets, they just screw up your metabolism.
I'll continue to eat bread, sugar, unbleached white flour and pasta.
My genetic heritage can take carbohydrates. And keeps me lean even if I'm over 50.
Different strokes for different folks.
And genetics and exersize has a lot to do with how your body processes different types of food.
The better advice is to learn to listen to what your body needs.
There is no formula that fits everyone, regardless of what the food fetishists would like to believe.
/johnny
That is depraved! I like the ingredients individually, but that looks disgusting.
I wish her well-—and I hate to be cynical—— but this is sounding like a convenient PR push to launch her son’s new low-cal cooking show.
He and his brother bombed with their first foodTV show.
Paula has all the personality in that family. Her sons and her husband are so b-o-r-i-n-g.
But...
But...
But...
I’ll let you have the rest of the box of Krispy Kremes if you let me have two for the buns!
Nailed it.
/johnny
Meat and sweet works well on the palate. ;)
/johnny
The answer is still no dear.
Frankly, I am more scared of the chemicals they put in food than I am of legitimate fats and dairy.
MrR has severe food allergies so we make pretty much everything from scratch - bread, mayonnaise, salad dressings, cakes (no mixes AT ALL), even our own pickles. I don’t fear food, but I do recognize that people can go overboard and not watch what they eat.
We are also lucky that where we live we can have our own garden and get farm fresh eggs for free.
I weigh 105, my Dad died at 129 from a high of 138, His youngest brother of 7 kids , weighs 129. They were 84 and are 81 respectively.
We have type 2 diabetes.
Questions?
Please don;t be silly.
People have to learn to exercise more. And I don’t mean just a casual stroll in the park.
I weigh 118 and eat all the carbs I want. Luck of the draw on the genetics.
/johnny
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