01 09 10 Tweet Dietitians Eat Chocolate Too: Paula Deen and Sweet Potatoes.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Paula Deen and Sweet Potatoes.

I'm your cooknot your cardiologist."
--Paula Deen

Paula Deen has been hiding her diabetes for three years.  I'm kinda surprised it hasn't been sooner.  The Huffington Post has been blowing up with articles, no one is really shocked by this developing news story.  However, she'll be making some $ as a spokesperson for Novo Nordisk, a pharmaceutical company that specializes in diabetes drugs.  I will gladly accept sponsorship of Krispy Kreme, Dairy Queen, Starbucks, or Sonic, heck, I'll make more diet plans that allot for the calories to push their products.  Sarcasm font.

Anthony Bourdain has commented in the past on Paula stating that she is "proud of the fact that her food is f---ing bad for you."

Why is diabetes a big deal?  It doesn't hurt.  You can't see it or really feel it.  It's sorta just..there.  
Crazy blood sugars cause a lot of problems: the kidneys go, your vision goes, eyesight.  All gone a lot sooner than Mother Nature intended.  

The fact that this can be prevented...well, I'll get off my pulpit.  

Avoid the dreaded 'type two' or 'adult onset' diabetes (while keeping your limbs intact).
  • Manage your weight.  This sucks.  I refuse to sugar coat this (pun intended).  Accept responsibility for your health.  Yes, you can't control all aspects of your life but you can take control of your physical health one bite at a time.
  • Eat more vegetables (this does not include: corn, beans, peas, or potatoes).  Free foods include: leafy green vegetables, peppers, tomatoes, anything but starchy vegetables.
  • It's OK to have some 'spare' calories for some junk food.  Sometimes it might be the only sanity during our days.
  • Exercise.  Take your kids out.  Yes, you're tired from work, I am too, kids?  They make workout DVDs for home.  You only need to do it 4 times a week.  
Nothing I've mentioned is actually shocking.  Public health and the media have been rather nice about the diabetes/obesity but I won't lose any sleep being mean.  

Maybe I've been on the Jillian Michaels Making The Cut circuit too long.  I'll be nicer next time :)

"In the heat of the moment" Sweet Potatoes (Scandalous!)



Serves 2.  120 Calories, 2 g protein, 3-4 g fiber.
Jack that oven up to 450 degrees.  This will warm your chilly east coast house up.
Wash 1 large sweet potato, cut in half (lengthwise) and chop width wise.  In a medium bowl, combine: 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper, 2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 tsp cumin, and 1 tsp chili powder.  Toss to coat and line a 9x13" pan.  Bake for 8 minutes on each side.  Keep an eye on it so they don't burn.