Secret shame: Paula Deen 'hides diabetes from fans while continuing to promote high-fat recipes'

By Rachel Quigley
Updated: 21:33 EST, 27 April 2011

Paula Deen has allegedly been suffering from Type 2 diabtes which she contracted due to her 'high-fat diet'

Paula Deen has allegedly been suffering from Type 2 diabtes which she contracted due to her 'high-fat diet'

Her fledgling TV career and nation-wide popularity has relied heavily on sugar, butter and fat - not too mention a healthy dollop of Southern charm.

But sadly for acclaimed chef Paula Deen, it is these very things that are said to have led her to battle with a deadly disease.

For the bubbly, plus-size celebrity cook has allegedly been diagnosed with diabetes.

According to the National Enquirer, friends of the Food Network star has kept the life-threatening illness a secret from her fans.

Georgia-born Deen is known for her rich and unhealthy Southern-style cooking which started out as a catering service which her sons Jamie and Bobbie delivered from their home and has grown into her own range of deserts, restaurants and star of her own show on the Food Network.

According to the National Enquirer, friends of the 64-year-old said she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes several years ago, yet continues to tout exactly the type of butter or sugar rich high-fat recipes that bring on diabetes.

She is said to be under doctor's orders to steer clear of the foods.

Leading endocrinologist Dr Daniel Lorber said: 'Diabetes can be deadly because it increases your risk of heart disease, kidney failure and stroke.

'And Type 2 diabetes can be directly related to obesity, which is reaching epidemic proportions in this country.'

Trademark: It is unhealthy burgers like these that made Paula a household name but may have given her diabetes

Trademark: It is unhealthy burgers like these that made Paula a household name but may have given her diabetes

A family friend of Deen's told the Enquirer: 'When Paula was diagnosed with diabetes I think she was worried that if her secret got out, it would make her look like a hypocrite.

INGREDIENTS OF PAULA'S BRUNCH BURGER

1 1/2 pounds ground beef
3 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley leaves
2 tablespoons grated onion
2 tablespoons butter
3 eggs
6 slices bacon, cooked
3 hamburger buns
3 English muffins
6 glazed donuts

'Ironically, the very thing that made her rich and famous turned her into a poster child for what could happen if you follow in her footsteps.'

One of Deen's most famous dishes is the Lady's Brunch Burger, which is a hamburger topped with bacon and a fried egg and served on a glazed donut.

Her devastation at allegedly being diagnosed with diabetes went further than her career - the friend told the Enquirer that she simply loves to eat high-fat, high-calorie foods.

The source said: 'At first she resisted doctor's orders to drastically change her diet, but eventually she realised that if she didn't it would put her into an early grave.'

Her health conscious husband Michael Groover is said to have helped to persuade Paula to change her ways, added the source.

Fun-loving: Deen is known for her bubbly, larger-than-life persona and her love of sugar and fat-loaded recipes

Fun-loving: Deen is known for her bubbly, larger-than-life persona and her love of sugar and fat-loaded recipes

'Paula wasn't happy about it, but she eventually modified her eating habits by cutting the large portions of high-fat, high calorie foods from her diet. She even dropped quite a bit of weight.

'Hopefully she'll come clean to her fans,' the source said. 'Paula is so popular that her honesty could help people change their lives.'