Paula Deen confirms she has Type 2 diabetes

(CBS/AP) The reports are true: Paula Deen has Type 2 diabetes and has inked a deal to promote a diabetes drug.

Read more: Paula Deen's type 2 diabetes: Is her cooking to blame?

The celebrity chef came clean about her disease during an appearance Tuesday on NBC's "Today" show.

The Food Network star has teamed up with drug maker Novo Nordisk to launch a program that aims to help people live with Type 2 diabetes and to promote a Novo diabetes drug. Earlier  reports  had erroneously listed a deal with another company.

The Novo program, called Diabetes in a New Light, offers tips on food preparation, stress management and working with doctors on a treatment plan.

Deen, a paid spokeswoman for Novo Nordisk, says she was diagnosed three years ago, but kept quiet about her condition until she had advice to offer the public.

"I wanted to bring something to the table when I came forward," she said. "I've always been one to think that I bring hope."

When asked if the high-fat, high-caloric recipes she champions can lead to diabetes, she hedged.

"That is part of the puzzle," she said, but mentioned other factors including genetics, lifestyle, stress and age.

"On my show I share with you all these yummy, fattening recipes, but I tell people, 'in moderation,"' she added. "I've always eaten in moderation." She also cautioned, "And it's for entertainment. And people have to be responsible. Like I told Oprah a few years ago, honey, I'm your cook, not your doctor. You are going to have to be responsible for yourself."

Deen has Type 2 diabetes and takes Victoza, a once-daily noninsulin injection.

The 64-year-old Deen, known as "the Queen of Southern cuisine," appears on Food Network.

Much attention has been paid to Deen's high-fat recipes, especially in recent years. Last summer, fellow celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain called Deen the "worst, most dangerous person to America" who's proud of the fact that her "food is bad for you."