It’s Official: Paula Deen Has Type 2 Diabetes

While news of Paula Deen’s plan to announce her diagnosis with Type 2 Diabetes has been the subject of many “ohhh shocker” and “Didn’t see that coming” jokes, it wasn’t until yesterday that the chef officially told the world.

On the set of the “Today” show, Paula Deen admitted that he had the disease and has now become a paid spokeswoman for pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk.

The interview revealed that Deen had actually been diagnoses three years ago, but took some time to cope with the disease, consult her physician and reflect with her family. At the time of her initial diagnosis, her concern was that she had nothing to give her “fellow friends,” but now, in partnership with the pharmaceutical company, she’s offering recipes and information about the disease via a new website, DiabetesInANewLight.com.

Her memorable line in the interview sets the tone of her life and career moving forward,

I’m here today to let the world know that it is not a death sentence. — Paula Deen

According to a recent interview with USA Today, Paula Deen said she gave up her favorite sweet tea, she’s exercising regularly on a treadmill and taking Victoza (Novo Nordisk non-insulin injected diabetes medication. This LA Times article also reminds that Deen has other vices outside of fatty foods, including a 50-year smoking habit (definitely a possible risk increaser for developing diabetes).