Celebrity Chef Andrew Zimmern Slams Paula Deen For Keeping Diabetes Diagnosis A Secret
Posted on Jan 25, 2012 @ 08:00AM
By Debbie Emery - Radar Reporter
Bizarre Foods host Andrew Zimmern isn't scared of putting any type of strange delicacy in his mouth, and when it comes to Paula Deen’s controversial decision to hide her diabetes from her fans, he’s also not afraid to slam her.
The Travel Channel star revealed his disdain to Anderson Cooper on an upcoming episode of his syndicated talk show, and RadarOnline.com has a sneak peak of their controversial conversation.
Zimmern has spoken out against the gluttony of high-calorie cooks like Paula in the past, and he said that the circumstances surrounding her diabetes diagnosis speak for themselves.
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As RadarOnline.com previously reported, the Southern food queen had the disease for three years before she revealed it to her foodie followers.
"I famously came out last year against a whole bunch of cooks -- not just Paula -- and what they cook and what they stand for," Zimmern told Anderson.
Watch the video on RadarOnline.com
"I have a tremendous platform and responsibility to talk to people about these issues about sustainability and about health and wellness when it comes to food.
"I think it became a much more personal thing when she found out she had diabetes. It's such a serious issue right now, I can't judge what you do when you get that news, certainly that's up to Paula."
When asked by Anderson if he would keep cooking fattening food, such as 64-year-old Paula's famous Southern fried chicken, gooey butter cakes, and burgers sandwiched between glazed donuts, if he got a similar diagnosis, the Bizarre Foods host answered diplomatically.
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"Personally, I change my diet every single time that I find something new. I famously tasted shark fin soup many, many years ago before we understood exactly what was going on with the harvesting of sharks. I've consequently come out against it. I make personal choices in my life and stand behind them.
"I am very much a person who likes to change with the times. Education is what it is all about," he explained.
As RadarOnline.com previously reported, last week on Today, Deen downplayed her disease and assured the audience: "I'm great.
"I was diagnosed three years ago during a regular physical exam with my doctor that I had Type 2 Diabetes," explained Paula. "I'm here today to let the world know that it is not a death sentence."
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The Daily Juice
Her health issues are private. People know what's good for them and what isn't. No one is forcing them to cook like her. And who is he to say anything? He's a heart attack waiting to happen! He's one of the unhealthiest people on TV!
Posted Thu, 01/26/2012 - 1:03am
I wonder if he promoted a drug to cure food illnesses if he would be a hypocrit. He eats foods that are just as bad for you as butter
Posted Wed, 01/25/2012 - 8:14pm
She hasn't even promoted the diabetes drug yet! No one even knows what it is.. I saw a brand name somewhere once but I guess it's brand new. And her diabetes couldn't have been THAT big of a secret if a random co knew
Posted Wed, 01/25/2012 - 8:12pm
She has ZERO responsibility to tell you what diseases illness or her weight to anyone. It could easily have taken her 3 years to figure it all out and that long to find the right medicine for her. To jump the gun would have been stupid
Posted Wed, 01/25/2012 - 8:11pm
She cooks they ways she likes and people are not stupid. they don't HAVE to cook er recipes!
Posted Wed, 01/25/2012 - 8:09pm
She's sweet and very likable. Every Food show star has to have a "gimick". They talk about that on their comeptition shows. It has to be something that sets them apart in a world of thousands of cooking shows
Posted Wed, 01/25/2012 - 8:08pm
Like her personality or not, it is no less than despicable to promote to her audience the very thing that likely caused her very serious illness. Because of her platform she has a responsibility. Period. Despicable!
Posted Wed, 01/25/2012 - 7:36pm
She should not promote unhealthy recipes then promote a drug to help a health problem that can be exacerbated by consuming such unhealthy recipes. It is hypocritical and she loses credibility in her cooking, why people are upset.
Posted Wed, 01/25/2012 - 6:10pm
Paula has 2 steady shows on a channel of about a hundred! She's popular because of her personality!
Millions of chefs/cooks - only a few make it! They're jealous - she's a multi-millionaire w/ loyal fans!
Posted Wed, 01/25/2012 - 6:25pm
Because fat guy Zimmern and chain-smoking alcoholic Bourdain are the epitome of health!
Paula has 2 steady shows on a channel of about a hundred! Get over it - she's popular because of her personality!
Posted Wed, 01/25/2012 - 4:57pm