If your office is anything like ours, celebrity chef Paula Deen’s diabetes announcement has become quite the topic of conversation over the past week. As I read the coverage online and caught a few TV interviews, I was struck by the backlash against the timing of Deen’s decision to announce her type 2 diabetes. Questions swirled about why she waited three years to talk about her diabetes and criticism came from fellow chef personalities like Anthony Bourdain, among others. While fans and critics alike will continue to disagree, Deen’s announcement helped to push the important but sometimes unsexy issue of lifestyle changes and type 2 diabetes into the media spotlight. For patient groups, advocates, diabetes educators and health care professionals, sponsorship deals like Deens’ help to drive awareness about living with diabetes and help to infuse some creativity into everyday meal planning – an important part of managing the disease.
On a personal level, Deen’s announcement couldn’t have come at a better time. You see, I was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and to say I’m overwhelmed is an understatement. I’ve spent the past few weeks searching for information online, looking through cookbooks and scouring food labels at the grocery store only to ask myself, “Am I really doing the right thing here?” I’ve found lots of great tools along the way from a 24-hour Abbott Diabetes care line, great cookbooks from the American Diabetes Association and lots of apps that help track my sugar, food choices and exercise.
But, what’s been more difficult for me is learning how to talk about diabetes with my friends, family and co-workers. For now, I’m learning to ask for help and seek out resources or information when I’m stuck. To Paula Deen, I say, “Thank you. I can’t wait to try some of these new recipes!”
Managing a chronic disease like diabetes? Share your favorite tools and stay tuned for more updates!