Diabetes News

As regular readers of this SUGAR SHOCK! Blog know, I attended and graduated from the amazing Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) in New York City, which brings in a Who's Who of nutrition experts to teach students there.

Now, as an alumni of IIN, I periodically receive e-mails about subjects of interest. I am including verbatim the contents of one such e-mail because it is vitally important. It's about the Farm Bill currently up for consideration in Congress.

I believe that it's important to galvanize as many people as possible to tell our legislators that they need to change the Farm Bill so that we make significant changes in the availability of healthy foods and nutrition education for Americans.

Please join the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, the Center for Science in the Public Interest and me to send an important message to your representatives in Congress so that they will realize that their constituents believe nutrition and health should be a major priority in the Farm Bill and that the bill should help:

• Improve the nutritional quality of school foods
• Increase the availability of fruits and vegetables in schools
• Expand research at the U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Ensure that low-income pregnant women and small children have access to nutritious foods
• Strengthen nutrition education initiatives through the Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program

This is what the Institute for Integrative Nutrition sent me:

Make your voice heard in Congress!

This month the American Congress will vote on the “Farm Bill,” a major piece of legislation on food, agriculture and nutrition in the U.S. for the next five years.

This legislation is a chance to make significant improvements to the availability of healthy foods and nutrition education in America. In partnership with Michael Jacobson and the Center for Science in the Public Interest, Integrative Nutrition and our students and alumni are getting active.

Please take a moment now to send a message to your representative in Congress. Let them know that you think nutrition and health are a major priority.

When you're done, please forward this message to everyone you know. Your life depends on it!

Together we can rock this world! Thank you for your support.

Please click here to take action now.

Again, I urge you to please join the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, the Center for Science in the Public Interest and me so that we make our legislators realize that we need the Farm Bill to increase the availability of healthy foods and improve nutrition education for Americans.

Former President Bill Clinton and talk show host Rachael Ray are teaming up to fight the childhood obesity crisis, according to an article in the New York Times by reporter Kim Severson.

For her part, Ray just launched Yum-O, a nonprofit organization that "educates kids and their parents about cooking, enabling them to explore the joys of food while making meals that are easy, healthy, affordable and delicious," according to the group's website.

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, the anti-childhood obesity initiative Clinton's foundation created with the American Heart Association, will be one of Ray's partners in this new venture.

Clinton's organization, the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, works with schools nationwide to improve their menus and to implement other health-giving programs. Ray will give items from her line of cookware to schools on the forefront of improving nutrition, and may even visit some of those schools as well. Together, Ray and Clinton's alliance will also promote Nickelodeon's "Go Healthy Challenge," which is part of the channel's "Let's Just Play" series.

The two announced their plans on a recent episode of the popular "The Rachael Ray Show," which reaches 4 million viewers, according to Severson's story.

Clinton's zeal on this issue was partly inspired by his 2004 quadruple bypass, which, as he says in this clip of his appearance on Ray's show, was necessitated by years of indulging in fast food, fried foods and other artery-clogging stuff.

Both Clinton and Ray will bring an amazing amount of star power to this worthy endeavor. In fact, Clinton has interesting weight tales himself -- he was overweight as a child, he tells Rachel Ray, noting that when he was 13, he was 5'8" and weighed 185 pounds.

Of the scary possibility that today's generation of kids may actually face shorter life expectancies than their parents, Clinton declared "it will be immoral if we let that happen," according to the New York Times story. I couldn't agree more!

His appearance on "The Rachael Ray Show," isn't the only time that Clinton's been sounding the alarms about childhood obesity lately.

Now, a cynic might ask why Clinton didn't do more about the issue of childhood obesity when he was president -- and that's certainly a valid one. And not every recipe on Ray's Yum-O website is a perfect example of healthy food, in my opinion (like her Chocolate Yogurt Parfait).

But for me, raising a 4-year-old in this junk-food saturated world, it's never too late for our leaders and celebrities to take action, and I don't need perfection. I applaud Clinton and Ray for trying to address the very serious issue of childhood obesity, and I hope that their popularity and influence will inspire others to take action, too.

From Jennifer Moore

You may find it really tough to believe that my repeated claim -- which I make in interviews and in my book SUGAR SHOCK! -- that eating tempting, tasty desserts and quickie carbs can dramatically harm your moods, energy levels, relationships, libido, thought processes and overall health.

This is why I flat out invite you to doubt my claim.

Go ahead: Do NOT believe me! Do NOT take my word for it.

That's right. Be skeptical of my emphatic assertion that culprit carbs -- those fast-acting, processed ones -- can greatly endanger you.

But then test out my theory.

Take the Stop SUGAR SHOCK! Challenge -- something I invite you to do in Chapter 5 of my book SUGAR SHOCK!

For three weeks, eat only high-quality protein, veggies, fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds, fats, and whole grains. (Beware of gluten if you have sensitivity to it.)

Then, as you test out this sugar-free lifestyle, take a step back and assess how you feel.

Tune into your body and emotions. Do you:

• Have more energy?
• Feel more focused?
• Feel more cheerful?
• Have improved libido?
• Find getting up in the morning more enjoyable?

What other benefits, if any, are you experiencing? Write them down.

At that point, make a decision. You may choose to stick to your new sugar-free habits, because your benefits are just so tremendous.

But if, after those 21 days, you're still not convinced of the value of going sugar-free or almost sugar-free, then allow yourself one single day of indulgence. (Please only do this if your doctor gives you permission and you don't have a medical condition such as hypoglycemia or diabetes. Bear in mind, however, that I'm not giving medical advice here.)

Now, please remember: I'm NOT telling you to pig out. I'm merely presenting the idea that you may wish to partake of polite portions of pasta, pizza, pastries, soda, wine, candies, cookies, cakes or other "taboo" foods on that one designated day.

After indulging, step back again and watch yourself very closely. In fact, study yourself dispassionately and observe yourself as if you were a lab rat.

• How do you feel a half hour after ingesting sweets?
• How do you feel an hour after caving into your carb cravings?
• How do you feel 2 hours later?
• How do you feel the very next day?
• How do you feel 2 days later after your deliberate indiscretion?

Get out a notebook and write down:

• What specific emotions and sensations are you feeling?
• Are you experiencing a feeling of hyperactivity?
• Are you feeling more cranky and crabby?
• Are you feeling really wired or high -- and then later really tired or low?
• Are you completely crashing energy-wise?
• Is it tough to get things done?

Be really specific. Please let me know if you get any benefits from taking the Stop SUGAR SHOCK! Challenge.

I am absolutely convinced that you'll be completely flabbergasted by the wonderful benefits.

Perhaps you'll even be motivated to write a letter to me such as this one I just received from Senara of the United Kingdom:

"I am reading your book at the moment and finding it shocking and fascinating at the same time! Just thought I'd share my experience with you after going without sugar for 4 weeks. ...Anyway about 10 minutes after having some sponge cake with icing on it, I started to get shaky. Also, that night I had a nightmare and the sweats!! It honestly opened my eyes to just how damaging the white stuff is!! Thank you."

So join me now? Take the Stop SUGAR SHOCK! Challenge. Then let me know what's happening as a result of challenging yourself in this way.

It's easy to feel disheartened in the face of all the upsetting news out there about diabetes, namely:

• 21 million Americans currently have it.
• It's the fifth leading cause of death due to disease in the U.S.
• Over 80,000 people lose limbs due to diabetes.
• Nearly 10% of American adults currently have it

Rather than feel discouraged, why not step up--or more precisely, Step Out -- and do something about it?

The American Diabetes Association will give you the chance to fight back through its annual Step Out to Fight Diabetes (formerly known as America's Walk for Diabetes), which raises more than $20 million a year to support research, public information campaigns, and to aid those living with the disease.

Residents of the 48 contiguous states will get a chance to start stepping -- two hundred cities from Bangor, Maine to San Diego, California will hold Step Out to Fight Diabetes days in fall 2007. Check here to find dates in your home state or town.

Participating in Step Out to Fight Diabetes won't just make you feel good for raising money for a very worthy cause. It'll also give you the chance to do something good for yourself -- namely, getting exercise by taking a nice walk that will be at least 2.5 miles and as many as 6 miles long, the ADA says, depending on where you choose to hit the pavement.

You don't have to be a speed walker or super-fit athlete to walk for the cause -- anyone can join in, even kids in some locations. And if you can't walk, that's OK -- you can lend your support by sponsoring a walker, recruiting sponsors and volunteers, providing logistical support the day of the event in your hometown, or even cheering on and giving water to walkers along the route. (Click here to find out how).

The ADA's Step Out to Fight Diabetes website includes the inspiring story of walker Sam Zaccari, himself a diabetic, whom the ADA credits with singlehandedly raising an astounding $300,000 since the first walk in 1991. This year, he's already raised $14,000 and he set himself a goal of $27,001, one more dollar than he raised in 2006!

"Just get out there and ask for it," Zaccari says of how he's pulled off this impressive fundraising feat. "You're not going to get it unless you ask for it."

Very inspiring!

From Jennifer Moore

Get your most pressing sugar questions answered today at 1 p.m. EST.

Dr. Stephen Sinatra -- the medical consultant on my book SUGAR SHOCK! -- and I will help you uncover your sugar truth.

Just go to www.AskConnieNow.com.

Not free at 1 p.m EST? Don't fret.

Sign up now anyhow -- even after the fact -- and you can get a free replay of our call.

My Special Invitation to You: Act on Wed., Jan. 17 to feel better and get exciting gifts.

Dear Friends, Blog Readers, Colleagues and All of You Kind Enough to Pop By:

I'm thrilled, because some really wonderful, cutting-edge experts, whom I greatly admire -- including Dr. Joseph Mercola, Dr. Mark Hyman, Dr. Jonny Bowden, Dr. Fred Pescatore, and Dr. Liz Lipski -- are kind enough to send out special e-mails to their fans on (or before) Wed., Jan. 17, inviting them to purchase my book, SUGAR SHOCK!

These healthy heroes of mine -- plus dozens of other wonderful authors and experts in a variety of fields -- are sharing the fact that I accidentally discovered a wow of a secret that could boost your moods and bring you good health, too.

They're telling their followers about how after my years of needlessly suffering, I discovered one simple change that banished all 44 of my mysterious ailments. As I now happily reveal: My mood swings disappeared. My severe fatigue vanished. My horrible headaches took a hike.

Why? Because I cut out sugar. That's right: I kicked my sugar habit.

And, as my friend Dr. Jonny Bowden -- a hotshot, savvy nutritionist -- points out in his letter to his followers: "If you (or your doctor) still thinks there's no such thing as carbohydrate addiction, then you definitely want to read this book."

These absolutely wonderful supporters also point out that my book SUGAR SHOCK! (Berkley Books) dishes the sour scoop about sweets.

For instance, Jonny kindly observed: "Connie really did her homework. She's interviewed some of the top experts in the field and put together a really compelling, personal story that you need to hear."

My friends and supportive colleagues also point out that SUGAR SHOCK! tells the full sugar story. What's more, they tell their fans, my book "gives you hope and valuable tips so that you, too, can break free, boost your moods, get more energy, and more."

Anyhow, my friends are encouraging those subscribers to their e-mail lists to act on Wed., Jan. 17 (until 11:59 p.m.) to participate in this exciting offer and get a tremendous amount of free gifts from leading experts in the field, including Dr. Mark Hyman, Dr. Fred Pescatore, Dr. Joe Mercola, and many others.

As I've gratefully pointed out previously, SUGAR SHOCK! -- which has a foreword from bestselling author Dr. Nicholas Perricone -- has received praise from a Who's Who of cutting-edge doctors and nutritionists, including medical consultant Dr. Stephen Sinatra.

Just check out what three experts said:

* Frequent Oprah guest Dr. Mehmet Oz, coauthor of the # 1 bestseller, YOU: On A Diet:

"[SUGAR SHOCK!] spills the beans on the shocking impact of simple carbohydrates on aging and
quality of life..."

* Renowned expert, Dr. Joseph Mercola, founder of the wildly popular Mercola.com:

"If you can't say `no' to foods made with sugar or processed, white flour, then you will want to read Connie Bennett's SUGAR SHOCK! ...it is loaded with many practical tools and resources..."

* Dr. Mark Hyman, author of the New York Times bestseller, UltraMetabolism:

"Read this book. It could save your life."

So, I invite you, too, to join the fun. Follow these experts' advice.

Order SUGAR SHOCK! anytime on Wed., Jan. 17, to get the scoop on sugar AND get exciting, special gifts from many authors and health experts.

Just check out the amazing gifts you get -- worth more than $1,377 -- just when you purchase my $10 book. Just visit http://SugarBookPromo.com now.

Warmly,

Connie

P.S. Look: I really like to think that this one book could make a huge difference in your life. You see, I wrote the kind of book that I would have loved to have back in 1998 when I had to kick sugar on doctor's orders.

P.P.S. Get more energy, improved concentration, and better health now. You deserve to feel the best you can feel! Just visit http://SugarBookPromo.com now and then grab your copy of SUGAR SHOCK! today while you can still claim the dozens of valuable gifts.

P.P.P.S. Now share this empowering book this with a friend or loved one, too. Imagine how great you'll feel when your loved one raves about all the benefits she or he received! The rewards you get from sharing this book SUGAR SHOCK! can be greater than the great deal you get on this book.

Again, I invite you to act Wed., Jan. 17, by going to http://SugarBookPromo.com

As I mentioned before, I've been volunteering my time to an important event that could help to pave the way for the city of New York to become trans fat free. As I've said previously, thousands of people are unnecessarily dying at an early age because of dangerous trans fats. Anyhow, tomorrow's the big day for an important rally to show our support for this very worthwhile endeavor. Because I believe so strongly in this, I'm running an item here from the coordinator for the program. Make New York City Trans Fat Free By Jenn BreckenridgeTrans Fat Free NYC CoordinatorPlease...