SUGAR SHOCK! Blog

Tobacco Manufacturers Plug Candy-Flavored Cigarettes

I already wrote about this development previously, but the subject is worth revisiting, because tobacco manufacturers have recently introduced a number of exotic, candy-flavored cigarettes in an effort to target the youth market, according to a study published in Health Affairs.

Candy-flavored cigarettes?

Talk about a way to lure innocent kids!

"This research revealed the development of flavor delivery technologies hidden from consumers and public health professionals, including the use of a plastic pellet placed in the cigarette filter," the report found.

"These findings raise concerns as to the potential added health risks associated with using new flavored tobacco products, and they underscore the need for effective assessment and monitoring of tobacco products."

Meanwhile, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids denounced candy-flavored cigarettes as "the latest evidence that the tobacco companies are just blowing smoke when they say they have made `profound and permanent' changes in how they do business and don’t market to kids, as they did recently in their opening arguments in the federal government’s lawsuit against the tobacco companies.'"

Sad, isn't it?

Fatter Buttocks Require Longer Needles

Oh, this is sad. Because more and more people have fatter rear ends, their drug injections are missing the mark and require longer needles to reach buttock muscle, researchers found.

Check out this Reuters story to read more about it.

By the way, the sugar connection is this: Often, people's habit of eating sweets and simple carbs packs on the pounds, making those butts bigger.

Need help kicking sweets? Join my free, online KickSugar group.

Illinois Gov. Calls For Junk Food Ban

Well, at firrst blush, the news from the Chicago Tribune sounds promising: Illinois's Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Monday called on the State Board of Education to ban sales of unhealthy snacks and soft drinks at elementary and middle schools.

But then, you quickly learn that this junk food ban excludes high schools "that benefit most from vending machine proceeds," as the Tribune put it. And it's also "less dramatic than a ban proposed in 2003 that state lawmakers rebuffed."

Even so, it is a start. In fact, the governor asserted in a letter to the state board:

"We know that selling candy and soda to elementary and middle school students is not good for their health, so let's do what we can to stop it."

But what about getting high schools?

Overweight Kids Tend to Get Broken Bones

Children who are overweight appear to have broken bones, joint problems, and bone abnormalities more often during childhood than kids of normal weight, research suggests, MSNBC reports.

“A lot of people think that if you’re an overweight kid ... that later on in life you’re going to run into having heart disease or Type 2 diabetes, but kids and adults who are overweight are already having problems with their mobility, fractures, and joint pain," said Dr. Susan Yanovski, director of the obesity and eating disorders program at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Obviously, this research gives yet another reason why it's important to try to lose weight.

Critics Urge No Go to Hoodia

Lately, a number of members of my free, online KickSugar group have been asking me about a much-acclaimed weight loss aid -- a cactus named Hoodia gordonii that is renowned for its ability to curb appetite.

They want to know if it's safe.

One expert I consulted contended that Hoodia is:

• Not not Generally Recognized As Safe (or not GRAS)
• The latest in a line of potentially dangerous and untested-in-humans neuro stimulants that could be fatal (fen-fen, ephedrine, dexatrim)
• Falsely labeled
• Umproven
• Laxative, causing diarrhea

The expert also frets that taking Hoodia on a regular basis could even trigger predisposition to other disease such as cancer and heart disease.

Meanwhile, Debby and Dulcy from free, online KickSugar group tracked down Dr. Andrew Weil's interesting conclusion on the subject of Hoodia. (I was thrilled to find that he'd researched the subject -- saved me the hassle of doing more investigating.)

Then, Vashti, a health and wellnesss consulant from Australia and a newcomer to my group, tracked down a fascinating article from NewsTarget.com.

After a couple of clicks, I found that NewsTarget.com had done a whole series of articles about Hoodia.

So rather than re-inventing the wheel, I'll just send you to both the NewTarget.com and DrWeil.com websites and let you draw your own conclusion. 

After learning about hoodia, my sense is that taking it in capsule form isn't such a great idea. Isn't worth the risk, in my opinion.

'Course, it sounds like maybe going to South Africa to gnaw on the cactus is an option!!! LOL!

Eating Out Has Negative Effect on Children's Health

Check out this interesting piece from Time.com about an American Heart Association report showing that eating out has negative effects on children's health, including higher blood pressure and lower insulin sensitivity.

Kids who eat out four times a week or more drank 6 cups of soda or other sugary drinks, vs. 3.65 cups for those at home more often.

The article contends that the study has some flaws, but it points to an alarming trend.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. I'm taking off today, but I encourage you to read my previous posting for some ideas on how to make your holiday a pleasant one.

Again, if you can, I invite you to try to put your sugary thoughts on the back burner and focus instead on all your wonderful family members and/or friends.

See you tomorrow. 

Dishing The Not-So-Sweet Scoop About Honey

Recently, in my free, Online KickSugar Support Group, we got into an intriguing online discussion about the benefits or drawbacks of honey.

Years ago, I would have been one of the first to tout honey's virtues. However, within the last couple of years, I've obtained some insights and inside information about honey that has taken me quite by surprise.

Like most Americans, I've been assuming for years that it's safe and healthy for everyone.

Well, it turns out that this might not always be the case. I've received some startling information from a scientific insider, who has witnessed honey production:

"The fact that honey is good for you is absolutely false information, and there is no scientific, medical, empirical, or metabolic credence to back it up.

"Honey has a long history of microbiological, bacteriological and mold activity in raw form and is DANGEROUS in consumption for ANY hypoglycemic, diabetic, infant, pregnant woman, women planning on becoming pregnant, nursing mothers, child, senior, heart patient, people on an prescription medication or treatment, those with weakened immune systems, those with cancer, or otherwise health compromised!"

Translation: Honey can cause problems in all kinds of people, including hypoglycemics, diabetics, pregnant women, children, seniors, heart patients, etc.

Simple, Pre-Thanksgiving Exercises To Make You Strong

Thanksgiving is on my mind today, because I want to figure out some ways to help you deal with its challenges BEFOREHAND!.

After all, at your feasts, you'll undoubtedly be surrounded by:

- Turkey galore
- Stuffing (probably with white flour)
- Sweet potatoes or yams, often covered in brown sugar or some other sugar
- Pumpkin pie

Am I leaving anything out?

What I'd like to suggest are these 3 simple pre-Thanksgiving exercises:

Exercise # 1: Think about the future: Envision 3 different scenarios

1. The day AFTER Thanksgiving, how will you feel if you have a bunch of all of the above-listed foods?
2. How would you feel if you had only one to three small bites of the last 3 quickie-carb items on my above food list?
3. How would you feel if you passed them all up?

My point is this: PLAN NOW exactly what you're going to do! Know coming into celebration what you're going to do -- no matter what family situation you're in; no matter what your feelings; no matter the level of your stress.

As for me, here is my commitment for the Thanskgiving meal:

- I might have one bite of the stuffing -- if it looks good (which it rarely does to me).

- I will completely skip the dessert and bring an apple along just in case.

- I will have a sweet potato, if my cousin tells me it's sugarfree.

- I might have a couple of bites if there's an interesting bread (even if it's white).

- I will eat turkey, even if it's not organic.

I have NO nervousness or stress at all going into this carb-laden meal. This is so second nature to me -- after all I've been watching my diet for 7-plus years, since kicking sweets back in 1998. For years, now, I simply don't worry about food over the holidays any more.

Better yet, I know that the next morning, unlike many other people, I'll feel energized, cheerful and full of pride and read to get out and exercise and enjoy being with my family.

You can choose now how you want to behave and how you want to feel afterwards.

Exercise # 2: Plan to enjoy the company of your wonderful family members or friends (if you're with them).

This is what Thanksgiving is all about -- you have a chance to chat and hang out with your beloved family members and friends.

Think about what you'll say to think. Think about what you'll ask them. Figure out a way to draw them out and bring them closer to you this Thanksgiving celebration. Remember, they're what's important -- not the food that is served!

Exercise # 3: Think about what you're grateful for, especially when hit by carb cravings!

Remember the purpose of Thanksgiving! We're supposed to be THANKFUL for everything we have -- the wonderful people in our lives, our families, our jobs, our accomplishments and more.

If you start to fret about food, switch your brain over to becoming thankful.

Train yourself like Pavlov's dog: Carb cravings.... OK, thankfulness. It's fun and simple! That'll keep you from overeating and consuming low-quality carbs!

You can do all of these exercises today and all week -- all holiday season, for that matter!

Wishing you a very happy Thanksgiving -- and an even happier post-Thanksgiving day and weekend, where you'll say, "Oh wow, I turned down sweets and all those simple carbs!" or "Oh wow, I only had a couple of bites of sweets and simple carbs!"

Now doesn't that feel great?

Wouldn't you be thankful and full of pride if that's how you celebrated this year's Thanksgiving?

Chromium Picolinate May Provide Cardiovascular Benefits in Pre-Diabetes

Strange. I already posted earlier today about chromium picolinate. Now, a press release from PR Newswire just came out about a preclinical study conducted at the University of Alberta, which shows that "daily use of chromium picolinate provides significant cardiovascular benefits in pre-diabetic rats that have insulin resistance."

The press release states that the information, which was presented on Friday at the 3rd World Congress on Insulin Resistance Syndrome, "is the first of its kind to show that chromium picolinate may improve endothelial function -- the overall health of the circulatory system -- and thus may limit macrovascular complications in pre-diabetes."

James C. Russell, PhD, the study's lead investigator and Professor Emeritus at the University of Alberta, said, via press release that, "The rats used in the study are a unique animal model of human vascular disease that exhibit profound insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease, and they allow for the study of the relationships between insulin resistance and vascular function.

"The protective micro and macrovascular effect of chromium picolinate observed in this model is significant as it demonstrates the need for additional investigation to further validate the use of the mineral as it relates to insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular complications."

This is one of many studies that have been conducted recently showing the benefits from taking chromium picolinate. This is something you may wish to discuss with your physician.

Noted Chromium Researcher Finds Mineral Curbs Carb Cravings

This morning, I was pleased to receive a personal e-mail from cutting-edge scientist Malcolm McLeod M.D., who has done some groundbreaking work studying the role of the mineral chromium picolinate in treating carb cravings, depression and more.

"I've been reading your blog and am fascinated," he wrote. "I am a psychiatrist and clinical researcher. I discovered chromium's role in the treatment of many of the symptoms you mention."

Immediately, I recognized Dr. McLeod's name, because my researchers and I had looked at some of his studies months ago!

Anyhow, next I clicked over to Dr. McLeod's The Chromium Connection blog and was very intrigued. I then went to his website, where I learned about his various patents.

Then, I learned that Dr. McLeod has written a book, Lifting Depression: The Chromium Connection, which came out recently.

In it, he discusses the benefits of chromium: "an increased sense of well-being, decreased chance of heart disease and diabetes, relief from PMS, carbohydrate cravings, weight gain and fatigue."

Granted I have not yet read the book so I can't recommend it yet, but I suspect that it's a pretty interesting book, because I'm familiar with this researcher.

By the way, you might find the following item of particular interest: "Chromium reduces carb cravings?"

And if you have questions for Dr. McLeod, just post them to him on Chromium Connection blog, and this busy researcher/author will answer your chromium-carb questions personally.

Hypoglycemia Book Released

Anita Flegg of Ottawa is on a mission.

The author of Hypoglycemia: The Other Sugar Disease believes that Americans and Canadians alike would benefit greatly by kicking their sugar habit, ditching fast foods, eliminating caffeine, quit eating of processed foods like TV dinners, and remove soft drinks from home fridges and school vending machines.

A woman after my own heart.

"All of us have dreams of utopia,’’ says Anita. "Mine involves community gardens and neighborhood potluck dinners where no one brings KFC or Timbits…and in my world, kids would spend more time on their bikes than on their X-boxes and there would be no 200-pound 12-year-olds on insulin.’’

Anita espouses this romantic, idyllic image in announcing the release of the second edition of Hypoglycemia: The Other Sugar Disease, which she recently self-published.

Ron Rosedale, M.D. a nationally known expert in nutritional and metabolic medicine, wrote the foreword.

Just Had Fun on "The New You Show"

Just had a great time on The New You Show.

Emil Cerullo, Greg Hill, Jonny Bowden, Kelly Moore and Jill Vollmuth were all fun radio show hosts. They also did their share of cracking up between asking great questions.

We talked about my days pre-1998 as a "Sugar Shrew" and how all my 44 symptoms disappeared after kicking sweets, how to get through the holidays when you're offered pumpkin pie and other "treats" and what kinds of sweets are healthy to savor.

Some of my tips included:

• If you're confronted with all those holiday "goodies," how about eating 1/3 less than normal instead of eating the entire piece of pie or dessert?
• Try to freeze some fruits if you really clamor for something sweet. Frozen bananas, strawberries and blueberries taste really awesome!
• Drink such unsweetened herbal teas as apple cinnamon.
• Do some "sugary soul searching" to assess what time(s) of day you most want to eat sweets.

You can listen live to The New You Show every Saturday from 12 to 4 on 105.3 FM, where they talk about all kinds of interesting health and nutrittion topics. 

I'm on the Radio Shortly

If you live in Dallas or are near a computer, listen to me live on the radio. Shortly, I'll be The New You Show. To tune in, go to live1053.com.

Read about the hosts here, too.

Emil Cerullo - Host and world famous radio personality

Greg Hill - Former NFL andTexas A&M great and now seen on Fox Sports.

Jonny Bowden - Certified Nutrition Specialist and a nationally known expert on weight loss and controlled carbohydrate eating.

Kelly Moore - Host of the popular Pugs & Kelly Show

Jill Vollmuth - Dallas-area Certified Nutritionist and fitness trainer. .

This'll be pretty exciting, because both Jonny and Jill are two of my favorite nutritionists. Each of them has been quite helpful to me while I was working on my upcoming book, SUGAR SHOCK!

It'll be fun to have the tables turned and have them interview me instead of vice versa.

7 Tips to Squash Your Sugar Cravings This Holiday Season

Worried about the holiday season and the plethora of culinary delights that might land in your mouth and stomach?

Fretting that you'll end up 5 to 10 pounds heavier a month or two from now, after all the parties and family get-togethers?

Wondering how to deal with all those well-meaning, dessert-pushing friends and colleagues?

Lately, I've been besieged by worrisome remarks such as these from folks, who want to make this holiday season sweeter simply by staying away from sweets.

They confide that they're overcome with the urge to splurge on holiday candy, cookies, and cakes – and then hate themselves afterwards for caving into their cravings.

Are you one of the millions who suffer in this manner?

For example, do you pop by the drug store for paper goods but always leave with junk food, too?

Or, do you feel like an incurable sugar addict with zero will power -- especially when confronted with platters of glitter-covered cookies and multi-colored candies?

Take heart.

Even during this food-focused Thanksgiving-to-New Year's time frame, you can quit -- or at least cut back on -- those tantalizing desserts and processed, “much-like-sugar carbs” such as brown-sugar-covered sweet potatoes and other sugary specialties.

Trust me, being vigilant during this holiday season could be quite rewarding.

Back in 1998, after I cut out sweets because of my hypoglycemia, all of my low-blood sugar symptoms completely disappeared, including my ferocious headaches, unexpected mood swings, debilitating “brain fog," severe PMS and heart palpitations. Amazingly, all 44 ailments disappeared! I do not exaggerate! After kicking sweets, I felt reborn!

Just knowing how much better I feel now -- it's a night-and-day-difference -- is what will keep me from plunging into a sugary hell again! There's no way you'll catch me slipping spoonfuls of pumpkin pie into my mouth. No way! It's not worth it!

Because I know the value of sugarfree joy, I'm now on a mission to help you, too, break free of your habit. I know that spurning inferior sweets and quickie carbs could turn your life around!

Please think about this now, before you start celebrating Thanksgiving with family and/friends. Just because the holidays are here doesn't mean you have to toss all your good intentions aside.

After all, "desserts" is "stressed" spelled backwards. Something to think about, eh?

Besides, you could benefit tremendoulsy if you're hypoglycemic, diabetic, overweight -- or if you're just wanting more energy, better concentration and improved relationships.

Here’s the non-sugar-coated scoop. If you continue to over-indulge in these nutrient-lacking foods you could:

• Pack on the pounds
• Sap your energy
• Become unfocused
• Undergo Jekyll-Hyde personality transformations
• Jeopardize your love life, and
• Possibly develop hypoglycemia, insulin resistance or diabetes.

If, instead, you choose quality, fiber-filled carbs, you could:

• Peel off excess weight
• Increase your energy
• Concentrate better
• Boost your moods
• Maybe rev up your libido, and
• Possibly reverse your pre-diabetes

Pretty promising, eh?

Here, then, are 7 tried-and-true tips and tactics to help you “just say no” to quickie carbs and get you through the holiday season:

1. Adjust your mindset – and pronto!

Before you can begin to make better dietary decisions, you need to totally change your thoughts. Toss away such negative views as: “Oh, boo hoo, I don’t want to quit or cut back on sweets, especially during the holidays!” Instead, dwell on positive ideas like this: “Wow, I’ll feel so great by kicking quickie carbs.” Now fill your mind with pleasant, powerful images. Visualize yourself easily turning down low-quality carbs and becoming a happier, healthier, sweeter you. See yourself in charge instead of enslaved.

2.  Watch yourself like a lab rat and do Sugary Soul Searching™.

Begin to face your truth. One way is to keep a food/feelings journal. Jot down what drives you to simple carbs, when you clamor for them, where you eat them, why you want them, and how you get them (i.e., do you stealthily drive across town in the middle of night to buy a carton of ice cream because you need it?) Journaling can be potent preparation for stomping out your sugar habit! If you don't want to write about what's going on, at least thoughtfully mull things over alone or with others (such as friends, family members, therapists, or my free, online KickSugar support group).

3. Power up with PFF.

By this I mean, pump up the protein (such as fish, chicken, tofu, legumes and lean meats), fill up with fiber (vegetables, fruits and whole grains), and embrace healthy fats (olive oil, flax seeds, avocado, etc.) – consuming them all in moderation, of course. These three dietary changes alone can help moderate your blood sugar levels, take the edge off your appetite, keep you feel satisfied longer, and provide needed nourishment.

4. Relish the goodies provided by Mother Nature.

Learn to savor the flavor of fresh, natural, wholesome, colorful, nutritious, preferably organic vegetables and low-sugar fruits. Next time you yearn for something sweet, enjoy a few tasty cherry tomatoes, a chunk of red pepper, or several fresh strawberries. Yum! (Nibble on some protein at the same time to keep your blood sugar stable.)

5. Begin with breakfast.

Always start your day with a healthy meal – you know, something like a veggie-filled omelet with a piece of orange or a small bowl of slow-cooking oatmeal. Many research studies show that breakfast eaters concentrate and perform better. If you skip that vital first meal of the day, you’re setting yourself up for overwhelming sugar cravings. (Many nutritionists and physicians I interviewed often emphasized the benefits of breakfast.)

6. Develop a kick-butt attitude.

Abandon that woe-is-me stance! Tap into your inner strength instead. Even if you’re furious with yourself for having eaten nutrient-poor foods for so long, use that anger to reinforce your “I-can-do-it” attitude. Because you can! Now go for it and trust in your ability to succeed.

7. When tempted, delay!

This is a simple, effortless, and darn effective technique -- and one of my favorites. Anyone of any age can cultivate the art of delaying -- even your kids. All you have to do is promise yourself to hold off eating those sweets for a brief period of time! You can start with five minutes and then just delay over and over again, even for hours! (Just think, the next morning you'll be so relieved that you didn't cave into your cravings!) The simple act of delaying lets your cravings subside, allows you to detach from your impulses and to zero in on what you're really craving. When confronted with those holiday "goodies," ask yourself: "Does my body really need those candy canes, that piece of pumpkin pie or those ginger cookies?" Of course, you know the answer! Wouldn't your amazing body rather have water, fresh vegetables and fruits, high-quality protein and healthy fats? Why not shove some hefty does of pride into your being rather than pasta into your mouth?

Remember, you can Enjoy a Sweeter Life Without Refined Sweets.™

Connie Bennett is an experienced journalist and an expert/coach to help you kick your sugar habit. She is author of the book SUGAR SHOCK! (upcoming), for which she interviewed more than 250 recognized physicians, nutritionists, researchers and health advocates. Visit and speak out at her lively, provocative SugarShockBlog.com. Make sure to get your free report, “Sly Hidden Sugars,” and your free e-zine at StopSugarShock.com.

You may freely reproduce or distribute this article online if you include the following: Copyright © 2005, All Rights Reserved, Connie Bennett, Stop SUGAR SHOCK!™, SugarShockBlog.com. When you publish this article, please e-mail Connie at article@SugarShock.com.

Worried about the holiday season and the plethora of culinary delights that might land in your mouth and stomach?

Fretting that you'll end up 5 to 10 pounds heavier a month or two from now, after all the parties and family get-togethers?

Wondering how to deal with all those well-meaning, dessert-pushing friends and colleagues?

Lately, I've been besieged by worrisome remarks such as these from folks, who want to make this holiday season sweeter simply by staying away from sweets.

They confide that they're overcome with the urge to splurge on holiday candy, cookies, and cakes – and then hate themselves afterwards for caving into their cravings.

Are you one of the millions who suffer in this manner?

For example, do you pop by the drug store for paper goods but always leave with junk food, too?

Or, do you feel like an incurable sugar addict with zero will power -- especially when confronted with platters of glitter-covered cookies and multi-colored candies?

Take heart.

Even during this food-focused Thanksgiving-to-New Year's time frame, you can quit -- or at least cut back on -- those tantalizing desserts and processed, “much-like-sugar carbs” such as brown-sugar-covered sweet potatoes and other sugary specialties.

Trust me, being vigilant during this holiday season could be quite rewarding.

Back in 1998, after I cut out sweets because of my hypoglycemia, all of my low-blood sugar symptoms completely disappeared, including my ferocious headaches, unexpected mood swings, debilitating “brain fog," severe PMS and heart palpitations. Amazingly, all 44 ailments disappeared! I do not exaggerate! After kicking sweets, I felt reborn!

Just knowing how much better I feel now -- it's a night-and-day-difference -- is what will keep me from plunging into a sugary hell again! There's no way you'll catch me slipping spoonfuls of pumpkin pie into my mouth. No way! It's not worth it!

Because I know the value of sugarfree joy, I'm now on a mission to help you, too, break free of your habit. I know that spurning inferior sweets and quickie carbs could turn your life around!

Please think about this now, before you start celebrating Thanksgiving with family and/friends. Just because the holidays are here doesn't mean you have to toss all your good intentions aside.

After all, "desserts" is "stressed" spelled backwards. Something to think about, eh?

Besides, you could benefit tremendoulsy if you're hypoglycemic, diabetic, overweight -- or if you're just wanting more energy, better concentration and improved relationships.

Here’s the non-sugar-coated scoop. If you continue to over-indulge in these nutrient-lacking foods you could:

• Pack on the pounds
• Sap your energy
• Become unfocused
• Undergo Jekyll-Hyde personality transformations
• Jeopardize your love life, and
• Possibly develop hypoglycemia, insulin resistance or diabetes.

If, instead, you choose quality, fiber-filled carbs, you could:

• Peel off excess weight
• Increase your energy
• Concentrate better
• Boost your moods
• Maybe rev up your libido, and
• Possibly reverse your pre-diabetes

Pretty promising, eh?

Here, then, are 7 tried-and-true tips and tactics to help you “just say no” to quickie carbs and get you through the holiday season:

1. Adjust your mindset – and pronto!

Before you can begin to make better dietary decisions, you need to totally change your thoughts. Toss away such negative views as: “Oh, boo hoo, I don’t want to quit or cut back on sweets, especially during the holidays!” Instead, dwell on positive ideas like this: “Wow, I’ll feel so great by kicking quickie carbs.” Now fill your mind with pleasant, powerful images. Visualize yourself easily turning down low-quality carbs and becoming a happier, healthier, sweeter you. See yourself in charge instead of enslaved.

2.  Watch yourself like a lab rat and do Sugary Soul Searching™.

Begin to face your truth. One way is to keep a food/feelings journal. Jot down what drives you to simple carbs, when you clamor for them, where you eat them, why you want them, and how you get them (i.e., do you stealthily drive across town in the middle of night to buy a carton of ice cream because you need it?) Journaling can be potent preparation for stomping out your sugar habit! If you don't want to write about what's going on, at least thoughtfully mull things over alone or with others (such as friends, family members, therapists, or my free, online KickSugar support group).

3. Power up with PFF.

By this I mean, pump up the protein (such as fish, chicken, tofu, legumes and lean meats), fill up with fiber (vegetables, fruits and whole grains), and embrace healthy fats (olive oil, flax seeds, avocado, etc.) – consuming them all in moderation, of course. These three dietary changes alone can help moderate your blood sugar levels, take the edge off your appetite, keep you feel satisfied longer, and provide needed nourishment.

4. Relish the goodies provided by Mother Nature.

Learn to savor the flavor of fresh, natural, wholesome, colorful, nutritious, preferably organic vegetables and low-sugar fruits. Next time you yearn for something sweet, enjoy a few tasty cherry tomatoes, a chunk of red pepper, or several fresh strawberries. Yum! (Nibble on some protein at the same time to keep your blood sugar stable.)

5. Begin with breakfast.

Always start your day with a healthy meal – you know, something like a veggie-filled omelet with a piece of orange or a small bowl of slow-cooking oatmeal. Many research studies show that breakfast eaters concentrate and perform better. If you skip that vital first meal of the day, you’re setting yourself up for overwhelming sugar cravings. (Many nutritionists and physicians I interviewed often emphasized the benefits of breakfast.)

6. Develop a kick-butt attitude.

Abandon that woe-is-me stance! Tap into your inner strength instead. Even if you’re furious with yourself for having eaten nutrient-poor foods for so long, use that anger to reinforce your “I-can-do-it” attitude. Because you can! Now go for it and trust in your ability to succeed.

7. When tempted, delay!

This is a simple, effortless, and darn effective technique -- and one of my favorites. Anyone of any age can cultivate the art of delaying -- even your kids. All you have to do is promise yourself to hold off eating those sweets for a brief period of time! You can start with five minutes and then just delay over and over again, even for hours! (Just think, the next morning you'll be so relieved that you didn't cave into your cravings!) The simple act of delaying lets your cravings subside, allows you to detach from your impulses and to zero in on what you're really craving. When confronted with those holiday "goodies," ask yourself: "Does my body really need those candy canes, that piece of pumpkin pie or those ginger cookies?" Of course, you know the answer! Wouldn't your amazing body rather have water, fresh vegetables and fruits, high-quality protein and healthy fats? Why not shove some hefty does of pride into your being rather than pasta into your mouth?

Remember, you can Enjoy a Sweeter Life Without Refined Sweets.™

Connie Bennett is an experienced journalist and an expert/coach to help you kick your sugar habit. She is author of the book SUGAR SHOCK! (upcoming), for which she interviewed more than 250 recognized physicians, nutritionists, researchers and health advocates. Visit and speak out at her lively, provocative SugarShockBlog.com. Make sure to get your free report, “Sly Hidden Sugars,” and your free e-zine at StopSugarShock.com.

You may freely reproduce or distribute this article online if you include the following: Copyright © 2005, All Rights Reserved, Connie Bennett, Stop SUGAR SHOCK!™, SugarShockBlog.com. When you publish this article, please e-mail Connie at article@SugarShock.com.

Scientists Target the Tongue's Sweet Spots

Ah, now we know why Splenda (sucralose) -- and sugar, for that matter -- are so popular.

Steven Munger, a neurobiologist at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and his colleagues conducted landmark research that sheds light on how two receptors on our tongues react with the sweet foods that we eat to send signals to our brains that produce that sensation of sweetness.

Interestingly, to date, researchers have found only two known types of sweet receptors -- which may explain why sweetness may be the most difficult sensation to create on the tongue.

On the other hand, bitter flavors have 30 different types of receptors -- which may be why we know to stay away from bitter-tasting poisons.

Sure enough, Munger -- whose landmark findings appear in the most recent issue of Current Biology -- found that both sucralose and sugar bonded with both of these taste receptor sites.

To learn more about this groundbreaking research, read the fascinating, well-researched Baltimore Sun article, "Targeting the tongue's sweet spots" Scientists move close to finding the ideal sweetener" by reporter Dennis O'Brien. 

Fascinating Conference to Spotlight Affects of Carb Restriction

Just found out about a fascinating upcoming conference from my online buddy/blogger, Regina Wilshire, co-founder (with her M.D. husband) of the non-profit Carbohydrate Awareness Council.

This upcoming event will intrigue those of you who are eager to learn more about how trimming inferior carbs such as sugary foods and vitamin-robbed processed foods from your diet can yield innumerable health benefits.

The 2006 conference of the Nutrition and Metabolism Society, to take place Jan. 20 to 22 in Brooklyn, will address "Nutritional & Metabolic Aspects of Carbohydrate Restriction."

What's especially exciting is that a who's who of influential physicians, scientists and researchers will present their findings. For instance, these are some of the experts who will speak:

• Marc Hellerstein, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Nutritional Sciences and an Associate Nutritionist at the University of California in Berkeley
• Fredric B. Kraemer, PhD, Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Division of Endocrinology, Gerontology and Metabolism at Stanford University
• Gary J. Schwartz, PhD, Professor of Medicine and Neuroscience at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine
• Gerald I. Shulman, MD, PhD, Professor of Medicine and Cellular and Molecular Physiology at Yale University
• Daniel Tome, PhD, Institut National Agronomique, Paris-Grignon
• Eric C. Westman, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Duke University
• Mary C. Gannon, PhD, Professor of Food Science and Nutrition, and Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Minnesota and Director of the Metabolic Research Laboratory at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center

Indeed, as Regina told me, this conference is "important since it's one of the few (or perhaps only) scientific sessions that is focused on carbohydrate restriction exclusively and its impact on a host of maladies -- diabetes, insulin resistance, Metabolic Syndrome, inflammation, cholesterol, etc."

Read Regina's comments about the event in her interesting item, Low Carb and Controlled Carb Diets Dead? Not for Researchers.

In addition, you may wish to check out Regina's intriguing Weight of the Evidence Blog, where she spotlights and examines low-carb research on a continual basis.

Media Makes Major Blunder re Splenda Coverage

I love AOL, but I am so, so, so disappointed at the horribly incomplete and misleading reporting from an AOL unamed reporter in its pro-Splenda piece, "Top Chefs Sweeten on Substitutes," which was part of its News & Trends: Weight-Loss Facts, Fads and Findings section.

This article -- which really is more like a go-buy-Splenda advertorial -- will probably send people right into grocery stores to buy the artificial sweetener -- one that could be harmful to them.

To be fair, the AOL article does make a concession to the fact that critics have claimed that the motto, "made from sugar so it tastes like sugar," is misleading. It even links to an informative Feb. 14 press release from the Center for Science in the Public Interest, "Splenda Should Stop Confusing Consumers, Says CSPI."

But then the AOL writer -- why is this person's name not mentioned in a byline? -- comes out some preposterous statements:

It says that "technically [the motto] is correct."

Give me a break! The manufacturer takes sugar and combines it with chlorine and phosgene (a proven carcinogen), and that's "technically sugar"? Hogwash.

Even worse, the mysterious AOL writer makes the outrageously UNTRUE statement: "No one questions the product’s safety, and advocates point out that it can be used successfully as a sugar substitute in cooking where other synthetic sweeteners (such as saccharine and aspartame) can’t."

Excuse me? "No one questions the product's safety"?

Wrong!

I can send this reporter and you, my dear readers, to all kinds of people and organizations, who do, in fact, question the product's safety!

In fact, they claim that ingesting the substance can be dangerious to your health.

Wait, there's more! Then the article says, "Splenda has not been found to be detrimental to health in any study..."

Another untrue remark.

Of course, bear in mind the reason for this article was a Splenda-sponsored event in New York City "to show how the new white and brown sugar blends of sweetener could be used for the holiday baking season."

So, I hereby officially reply to this unnamed reporter -- why didn't you have a byline? -- that lots of people do question Splenda's safety.

See the following:

• Splenda is Not a Healthy Sweetener
• The Dangers of Chlorine and Issues With Sucralose
• New Book Suggests Splenda Can Be Harmful
• The Secret Dangers of Splenda (Sucralose), an Artificial Sweetener
• Another Consumer Group Calls for Investigation Into Splenda Advertising
• Two More Consumer Groups Decry Splenda's Misleading Advertising
• The Potential Dangers of Sucralose: Reader Testimonials
• The Dangers of Chlorine and Issues With Sucralose

Let's take a look at chlorine, which, as revealed previously, is an important ingredient in the artificial sweetener. I'll let toxicologist Janet Starr Hull enlighten you:

"Any animal that eats chlorine (especially on a regular basis) is at risk of cancer. The Merk Manuel and OSHA 40 SARA 120 Hazardous Waste Handbook states that chlorine is a carcinogen and emergency procedures should be taken when exposed via swallowing, inhaling,
or through the skin."

Now read Generation Green's letter, which describes the process to make the artificial sweetener:

"The facts are these:

"Splenda is a chemically created product in which sugar molecules are manipulated through chlorination and other processes so as to be completely unrecognizable as sugar.

  "Following chlorination, a further chemical process is applied using phosgene, a poisonous gas described by the Centers for Disease Control is a major industrial chemical used to make plastics and pesticides.

  "The Splenda label does not and cannot list sugar as an ingredient, as sugar is not   recognizable in the final product."

So, you mystery reporter, do you still stand by your previous statement, "No one questions the product's safety..."?

Processed Chocolate Contains Dangerous Lead Concentrations, Study Says

As if the sugar content wasn't reason enough to stay away from processed chocolate.

A new study, in Environmental Health Perspectives, reveals that chocolate can be contaminated with very high quantities of lead.

What's interesting is that cocoa beans tested had an average lead concentration of < 0.5 ng/g, "one of the lowest reported values for a natural food," the study points out. But, by contrast, "lead concentrations of manufactured cocoa and chocolate products were as high as 230 and 70 ng/g."

In fact, a team of American and Nigerian researchers found that lead levels in raw cocoa beans were 60 times lower than lead levels observed in processed chocolate products, the Chicago Tribune reports.

Talk about a worrisome statistic.

Researchers suspect that this lead contamination doesn't come from the producer but rather during the shipping and/or manufacturing of the cocoa beans into cocoa and chocolate products.

For example, they speculate that one source of contamination of the processed, finished chocolates might be atmospheric emissions of leaded gasoline.

"Because of the high capacity of cocoa bean shells to adsorb lead, contamination from leaded gasoline emissions may occur during the fermentation and sun-drying of unshelled beans at cocoa farms."

Regardless of the source of contamination, "there is no excuse for a product that is about to be consumed by children to contain lead, period," Dr. John Rosen, a pediatrician and lead program director at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City, told the Chicago Tribune.

Lead exposure can be quite dangerous, particularly to children. For example, it can lead to permanent developmental deficits. High lead levels can harm a child's ability to think, plan, organize and memorize, Rosen explained. "And lower levels of lead may produce intellectual deficits that are with a child forever."

Yikes, this is scary.

But, as I stated previously, you can still reap chocolate's anti-oxidant and other benefits by eating raw cacao beans.

Furthermore, as popular physician Dr. Joseph Mercola.com points out, you also can "derive a majority of these benefits by consuming blueberries, apples and grapes, and most vegeetables, including broccoli, greens and onions.

Thanks to Mercola.com for the lead on this new study.

Exciting Experts Lined Up for Fast-Track, Kick-Sugar Countdown

I'm thrilled to announce that I've lined up very exciting experts and speakers as part of my innovative, inspirational, information-packed Fast-Track, Kick-Sugar Countdown™, which officially kicks off Jan. 5.

But you need to act fast!

Just join my free, online KickSugar group now, and you'll get COMPLIMENTARY ADMISSION into this Fast-Track, Kick-Sugar Countdown. (Today was supposed to be the deadline, but I'm extending it for a few days until our technical snafus are resolved.)

But space is running out quickly so you need to hurry.

You are in for a real treat, because you'll get to hear from a who's who of experts in this field, who will dish you the scoop about sugar. You'll learn:

• About the many benefits to be gained by kicking sweets
• How to read food labels
• Which supplements could help combat your sugar cravings
• Whether or not artificial sweeteners are safe
• How to creatively (rather than destructively) deal with stress
• Use the movies to defeat your sugar habit and transform your life
• Tips and tactics to lick your sugar habit for good

What's more, you'll be educated and inspired by such cutting-edge experts and motivational speakers as:

• Ann-Louise Gittleman, Ph.D., C.N.S., author of The Fast Track One-Day Detox Diet, Get the Sugar Out and The Fat Flush Plan books.
• Nancy Appleton, Ph.D., author of Lick the Sugar Habit and Lick the Sugar Habit Sugar Counter and Stopping Inflammation. Top sugar expert, who's been speaking about and researching sugar's dangers since the 1970's.

• Fred Pescatore, M.D. Traditionally trained physician, who now practices nutritional medicine. Former associate medical director at the famed Atkins Center and author, The Hamptons Diet, Feed Your Kids Well and others.

• Jonny Bowden, M.A., C.N., C.N.S., author, Living the Low Carb Life: Choosing the Diet that's Right for You from Atkins to Zone and i-Village "Weight Loss Coach" for eDiets.com and iVillage.com.

• Janet Hull, Ph.D. , nutritionist, toxicologist and artificial sweeteners expert. Author of Splenda: Is It Safe or Not? and Sweet Poison: How the World's Most Popular Artificial Sweetener is Killing Us - My Story, Creator of Aspartame Detox Program.

• Jill Baron, M.D., integrative medicine physician and stress-management expert and clinical assistant professor of family medicine at State University of New York at Stonybrook.

• Psychotherapist, Fulbright scholar and speaker Maria Grace, Ph.D., author of Reel Fulfillment: A Twelve-Step Plan for Transforming Your Life Through Movies.

• Jill Vollmuth, B.S., C.N.C., exercise physiologist and nutritionist

• Roberta Ruggiero, founder and president of the 25-year-old Hypoglycemia Support Foundation, which has helped hundreds of thousands of hypoglycemics. Roberta is author of The Do's and Don'ts of Hypoglycemia: An Everyday Guide to Low Blood Sugar, acclaimed by the American Library Association as "one of best lay medical books."

That's not all. Before the program officially kicks off on Jan. 5, three kick-start teleseminars will feature:

• Julia Havey (Motivational kick-start). www.eDiets.com master motivator, Author of Awaken the Diet Within and Creator, The LifeChanger Program.

• A number of people, who, after kicking sweets have either lost weight or improved moods and relationships, cleared up skin problems, increased sex drive and/or resolved fertility issues and PMS woes, or reversed or slowed down heart disease, cancer or diabetes as a result of kicking sugar and cutting out or back inferior carbs. One of the speakers lined up is Jimmy Moore, who lost 180 pounds following an Atkins diet. He now runs a blog, and he recently wrote a book, Livin' La Vida Low-Carb: My Journey From Flabby Fat to Sensationally Skinny in One Year about his experiences.

Make sure to sign up now for the Fast-Track, Kick-Sugar Countdown today.

Just join my free, online KickSugar group now, and you'll get in free to this Fast-Track, Kick-Sugar Countdown.

Click here for more details about this exciting program.