( CNN ) -- `` I 'm just gon na put a little more butter in there , y'all , '' she said as she plopped a large chunk into the skillet . `` Oh my , '' she added , `` I 've gone and put a whole stick in by now . '' I was watching Paula Deen on the Food Network , whipping up a shrimp sautÃ© to go over pasta . I thought to myself , `` I could make a similar dish that would look much better ( hers was murky from all the butter ) , taste much better ( fresh , clean flavors from a small amount of extra-virgin olive oil , garlic , dry vermouth and herbs ) , with a fraction of the fat and calories . '' Later that day , I read about Deen 's revelation that she had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes three years ago and is now a paid spokeswoman for Novo Nordisk , the pharmaceutical company that supplies her diabetes medication . She says the diagnosis will not change the way she cooks . What a shame ! Like many people , Deen has genes that predispose to weight gain , insulin resistance , metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes when physical activity is insufficient and calories are consumed in excess , especially from quick-digesting carbohydrate foods that cause spikes of blood sugar . Type 2 diabetes is a serious condition that greatly increases risks of cardiovascular disease , disability and premature death . The good news is that many , if not most , cases can be put into remission through lifestyle changes : losing weight , increasing activity and adhering to a low-glycemic-load diet , especially minimizing consumption of flour and sugar . Taking a drug to lower blood sugar without making those lifestyle changes is a classic example of trying to deal with a problem without going to the root of it . ( Another is taking a pill to suppress stomach acid so that you can eat foods that cause heartburn without it . ) Eatocracy : Hugh Acheson on Southern food beyond the butter . The queen of high-fat , high-calorie `` Southern comfort '' food likes to say that she encourages her followers to practice moderation in eating her rich dishes . How about using her charm and culinary skills to teach them to make healthier versions of those dishes without sacrificing flavor or any of the pleasure of eating ? If she does n't think that 's possible , I 'd encourage her to eat at one of the True Food Kitchen restaurants in Arizona and California . The food there is designed to emphasize flavor and pleasure along with good nutrition . Too many of us -- including Deen , I would guess -- think that food that 's good and food that 's good for you are in opposition . Unless you have experienced truly delicious , healthy food , you wo n't believe it exists . The Food Network has become a major entertainment channel . A lot of people watch it . Sadly , most of the shows focus on making ( or eating huge portions ) of just the kinds of foods that promote obesity and all too often the disturbances of metabolism that can lead to type 2 diabetes . The societal problems resulting from our unhealthy eating habits are grave ; for one , the Defense Department has expressed concern that the obesity epidemic in young people is shrinking the pool of acceptable applicants for military service . The Food Network could begin doing public service by teaching people to prepare more sensible meals . It could start with you , Paula Deen . You have the perfect reason to change your ways and the perfect platform to disseminate your message . Forget Novo Nordisk . Show your loyal fans how not to need diabetes drugs . And whenever you 're ready to accept my challenge for a shrimp sautÃ© cook-off , y'all just let me know . Join the conversation on Facebook . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Andrew Weil .
Andrew Weil : Paula Deen has type 2 diabetes , says it wo n't the food she cooks . Instead she is a corporate spokeswoman for a diabetes charity ; a shame , he says . He says the food she makes can be made in more healthful way ; she should take example . Weil : She and Food Network have responsibility to promote healthy eating , prevent diabetes .