Don’t blame chefs for obesity epidemic

I’m writing in response to Ms. Beauvais’ letter on Jan. 29 about Paula Deen. I’m getting sick and tired of this “food snob/elitist” attitude that people have about her. Yes, she is a diabetic and, yes, she is now paid to endorse a popular diabetic drug. However, by Ms. Beauvais’ own words, Paula is a woman who “turned lemons into lemonade” due to her life circumstances. How is endorsing a potentially lifesaving drug not doing the same thing?

In my opinion, Ms. Beauvais and others ignore one important factor in things like this: personal responsibility. If diabetics want to manage their disease, they will despite what Paula cooks on TV for a half-hour per day. There is access to plenty of diabetic cookbooks, recipes and websites that can help them eat a correct diet.

If Ms. Beauvais wants to be disappointed in something that leads to obesity and diabetes, be disappointed in our schools and kids’ activity levels. Much noise is made about a “healthier choices” in school lunches, no trans fats, no fries, no pop machines. Add brown rice and other healthier choices the kids lunch menu.

Childhood obesity is an epidemic in this country, that I agree with. However, it become one long after McDonald’s and Burger King came onto the scene. I believe it’s due to children not having enough active time. They don’t get it at school, and they come home and sit in front of the TV (generally speaking, of course).

Anything in moderation is fine (even fast food, gasp!). Paula and others like her are free to cook what they want, when they want and how they want ... period. They are chefs, not baby sitters.

Jeremy Pacay

Rolling Meadows