The queen of rich, southern cuisine has some shed weight since going public with her type 2 diabetes diagnosis earlier this year. Deen, 65, lost 30 pounds, and she did it the old-fashioned way – by eating more fruits and vegetables, cutting back on unhealthy carbs and all that fried food, and moving more. Of course, she still indulges in a few of her favorite home-cooked meals (hopefully she’s cut back on the butter a little bit).
“Small changes can add up to big result,” she told Entertainment Today. “I’m redoing the way my plate looks. I’m doubling up on the salad or a vegetable and putting smaller portions of the carbs and all that. I try to walk 30 minutes a day.”
“It is tough, let’s be honest!” she said of trying to eat in moderation. “Once in a while you can eat two biscuits — you just can’t do it every day three times a day.”
It may be a tough change for Deen, but she’s making the most of her diagnosis. She signed a spokesperson deal with diabetes drug manufacturer Novo Nordisk back in January, which caused quite a stir. But, the star insists that she’s just trying to help others. “I really am trying,” she says. “If I’m going to help others, I’ve got to try to do right myself.”
Now that she’s on track to a healthier weight, the star is launching a new company, Paula Deen Foods, which will focus on “fresh prepared meals for families to enjoy together.”
“These new products will provide the consumers a unique and convenient solution to experience authentic Paula cooking without the hassle and expense of purchasing and making all the ingredients,” her manager said in a statement. Chances are, if it’s “authentic Paula cooking” it probably won’t be any good for you, but that’s yet to be determined; she always finds a way to surprise us!
So, say what you want about her, but Paula Deen is one smart Southern business woman!
photo courtesy ABC
