Paula Deen Diet: 36 Pounds Shed

By Emma Koonse, Christian Post Reporter Friday, January 04, 2013

Paula Deen has revealed how she shed 36 pounds since the announcement that she had Type 2 diabetes one year ago.

The Food Network star has previously stated that her favorite foods include butter, salt, cream cheese, and all things fried, but now, Deen has made serious changes.

"It's all about moderation," the Southern food specialist told Woman's Day magazine. "I just needed to learn to eat a normal portion size and not overindulge."

Deen's efforts have paid off, as the five-foot-six, 65-year-old chef has kept the weight off for a year since her diabetes diagnosis.

The Georgia native first revealed her "moderation" theory just months after her diagnosis.

"It took me a couple years to get to this point," said Deen speaking to People magazine in summer 2012. "It you make a few small changes, they can add up to big results.

Also, the slimmed-down chef admitted the need to change her trademark cooking style.

"I do think differently [about food]," said Deen. "I'm more aware."

Adding to her reasons for staying healthy, the chef said she often thinks about her family.

"I want to be here for my grandchildren," said Southern chef said, according to Woman's Day. "I think about them every day. My daddy was dead at 40. My mother was dead at 44. And look- I'm 65 and I'm still here! Go 65!"

The cookbook author added laughing, "Waking up every morning is very exciting for me, to see what the day is going to bring."

Despite her diabetes, Deen maintains that her taste for her favorite foods has not changed, and the chef refuses to eat fat-free meals.

"In my refrigerator, there's no light mayonnaise," stated the "Paula Deen's Kitchen" star. "I'd rather eat less of the real thing and have it taste really good than have diet stuff that tastes awful."

Furthermore, Deen imparted her own tips for weight loss.

"Putting my fork down and having a conversation has been a huge help, because it takes 20 minutes for your stomach to tell your brain that you're full," said the chef.

As for her famous peanut butter pie, Deen said, "It doesn't taste good if you do a lighter version. Some of those substitute ingredients taste nasty. So you just have a small piece of the real version."

Deen's interview appears in the February issue of Woman's Day.