No, Connie Bennett, One High-Fat Meal Will NOT Damage Your Body

Why does Connie Bennett agree with Dr. James O'Keefe about high-fat?

It's not that often when I disagree with a fellow low-carb blogging friend who agrees with me that consuming sugar and excessive carbohydrates is bad for your weight and health. But when "SUGAR SHOCK!" blog author Connie Bennett wrote a post this week entitled "Just One High-Sugar, High-Fat Meal Can Damage Your Body, Study Stays," I felt compelled to respond.

The report was actually written by Connie's correspondent Jennifer Moore (no relation), but there was a brief "Note from Connie" at the beginning of the post that made me raise my eyebrows. Here's what she wrote:

"If you think one fatty, culprit-carb-laden meal won't do harm to you, think again."

Say it ain't so, Connie! I'll agree that a "culprit-carb-laden meal" may cause harm, but what's with the "fatty" part? Why even go there when you have seen all the studies in research for your SUGAR SHOCK! book showing a high-fat, low-carb diet is not only healthy, but beneficial in so many ways to the body. In fact, you should take a closer look at the book by Gary Taubes (who you interviewed recently) called Good Calories, Bad Calories to find out more of the science behind this.

The study cited on Connie's blog was published in the January 2008 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology and led by a well-known pro-vegetarian, low-fat diet loving internist from the Mid America Heart Institute and University of Missouri–Kansas City named Dr. James H. O'Keefe. The primary point from his study is to eat more whole, high-fiber foods that come from plant sources as well as lots of whole grains, legumes, and nuts to prevent your blood sugar from rising too fast which then increases your triglycerides to in turn lead to inflammation in the body.

Sounds good, right? But...

But we already know what causes those health issues to happen. It's carbohydrates! Even those so-called "good" carbs that come from some fruits and vegetables as well as the much-heralded whole grains craze and legumes can and will spike your blood sugar and release insulin inside the body almost as fast as sugary junk foods do in those of us who are especially carb-sensitive (which is why we started livin' la vida low-carb to begin with!). Ignoring this fact is not giving people the entire picture and Dr. O'Keefe knows that.

Although you have people like Dr. Judith Wurtman espousing the absolutely absurd theory that saturated fat consumption can lead to Type 2 diabetes, the truth of the matter is a high-fat diet in the absence of carbohydrate is not at all harmful. Nobody has yet to offer any credible published research to counter this fact, so why do we continue to have imbecilic researchers like Dr. O'Keefe trying to shove their personal beliefs into the science when the evidence is just not there? And why is such research embraced by people like Connie Bennett who should know better?

This whole sage with the O'Keefe study reminds me of a study which was also published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology in August 2006 by Dr. Stephen Nicholls that concluded eating one saturated fat-laden meal will reverse any good cardiovascular health markers that may have been present inside the body. Another study released in the April 2007 issue of The Journal of Nutrition by Dr. Tavis Campbell made similar ridiculous statements about the one fatty meal claim. But, again, the "fatty" meals used in these studies are also very high-carb meals as well. How about doing a study comparing a high-carb, high-fat meal with a low-carb, high-fat meal and let's see what happens to the health markers then, hmmmm? How about it Dr. O'Keefe?

And, with all due respect to my fellow low-carb blogging colleague Connie Bennett, she should know better. Sure, consuming the "culprit carbs" (as she calls sugary, simple carbs) is indeed unhealthy and most of us agree with that wholeheartedly. But why lump in dietary fat with the whole kit and kaboodle? No, Connie, one high-fat meal will NOT cause damage to your body when carbohydrates are severely reduced or eliminated. A high fat diet is only unhealthy in tandem with a high-carb one.

And perhaps that's what Connie's correspondent Jennifer Moore was TRYING to say in her post. But the way it was written with that finger-pointing headline, it certainly made it appear to be damning to fat. Perhaps some clarification is in order, Connie, and I welcome your feedback. We'd love to know why you believe a high-fat diet is so unhealthy (if you do). Feel free to share your comments so we can better understand where you are coming from.

As for Dr. O'Keefe, you can contact him to share your comments about his study at jhokeefe@cc-pc.com. Tell him it's not the dietary fat, but the carbs that cause damage to health. Encourage him to take up my suggestion to do a study on a high-carb, high-fat vs. low-carb, high-fat diet comparison. Who knows, if he's a real scientist, then he should be up for the challenge, right? :)

1-29-08 UPDATE: Well, Connie Bennett responded today and attempted to clarify what she meant by what she wrote in the column that was posted at her blog. I appreciate that, but I do think she took this way too personally. It was all about the message and not YOU, Connie. Perhaps this will make you pay closer attention to what you allow on your blog from now on, hmmm?

'Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show' Episode 77: Connie 'SUGAR SHOCK!' Bennett Interviews Me

After appearing on Connie Bennett's online radio show called “Stop SUGAR SHOCK!” show on BlogTalkRadio on Tuesday, July 10, 2007, the requests for a rebroadcast of this interview came rolling in. So here it is!

Special THANKS to Connie Bennett for allowing me to air this interview she did with me recently today in Episode 77 of "The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore." She is such an enthusiastic supporter of the work I am doing and I was happy to be on her show as her first guest ever!

You don't need an iPod, just click on the "Play In Popup" link below to listen to today's podcast on your computer RIGHT NOW:

 "The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore" Episode 77 [31:38m]: Play in Popup | Download

Connie Bennett is a real pro as an experienced journalist who has used her talents to promote sugar-free living. She wrote the stunning expose on sugar called SUGAR SHOCK! and was featured on "CBS News Sunday Morning" on Father's Day. She is now sharing thoughts from her book and AWESOME blog in this new radio show!

Here are even more ways to tune in anytime by:

1. Listening at the official web site
2. Going to iTunes
3. Calling (818) 688-2763 to listen via Podlinez
4. Subscribing to the RSS feed

What comments do you have about my interview with Connie? Do tell, do tell! :D

New Sugar-Shunning Radio Show Is Off And Running

I've been telling you about it for a couple of weeks and now it's off and running!

The grand debut of Connie Bennett's new "Stop SUGAR SHOCK!" show last night was absolutely AMAZING! If you missed it LIVE (shame on you! LOL!), then you will want to go LISTEN NOW to the archived July 10, 2007 half-hour episode.

This will be an excellent weekly resource on Tuesday nights at 6:00PM EST, so make an effort to tune in regularly. It'll complement your low-carb lifestyle and you might learn a few things you did not know. With Connie at the helm, I'm SURE of it! ;)

I was honored to be invited as the first guest on this new show and I discussed two specific studies during my appearance on the "Stop SUGAR SHOCK!" show that I wanted to provide a link to if you are interested in learning more about them.

1. Sugar is "rat poison"

Even before I realized University of California-Irvine psychologist Elizabeth Loftus was working on a study about this, I was creating "negative memories" about sugar by referring to it as "rat poison." This mantra helped me early on kick sugar for good!

"When I convinced myself that eating anything with sugar in it was like eating rat poison, it seems something happened in my brain to make that lie I told myself convincing enough to keep me away from sugar. I'm no psychologist, but it makes sense to me that you can believe something so strongly that you could convince yourself it is true."

2. Weight loss begins "in the mind"

Unless you are READY to lose weight mentally, you cannot fully be the success you want to be until you wrap your mind completely around actually doing it. Here's what I wrote about what British nutritionist Jane Clarke said about this subject:

"Until people who are overweight or obese realize in their own mind that losing weight is something they need to do -- FOR LIFE! -- then nothing is going to change for them. You have to commit yourself to the lifestyle changes that will bring you the results you want. Nobody can do that for you, nor should they!"

A BIG THANK YOU to Connie Bennett from the Sugar Shock Blog for having me appear on her new online radio show. I encourage you to support this new effort by Connie and let her know what you think. Leave a comment for her at her blog.

For those who listened to the show and would like to learn more about what I am doing, then here are a few key links:

- My "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog
- My "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore" podcast show
- My Livin' La Vida Low-Carb: My Journey From Flabby Fat To Sensationally Skinny In One Year book
- My review of Connie Bennett's SUGAR SHOCK! book

Ohio Radio Interview On My Podcast Show, SUGAR SHOCK Radio Coming July 10

Following my appearance last Thursday morning on WBTC LIVE's Dial & Speak radio show with Andrea Fanti, the requests from my readers to hear a rebroadcast of the interview with me have come pouring in. Some were able to hear it LIVE in the New Philadelphia, Ohio area while others listened over the Internet.

But most people were either working or it was too early in the morning on the West Coast to hear the show. I made a recording of the interview using my little portable RCA digital recorder, so I asked the host Andrea if there was a recording available on CD which would have better sound quality. She forgot to have the show taped, so all I have is my recording.

Never fear, though, my trustworthy and talented podcast producer extraordinaire Kevin Kennedy-Spaien will work his magic to make it sound as good as it possibly can for you when my WBTC interview runs in a special two-part series for this week's episodes of "The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore."

A big time THANKS to WBTC and Andrea Fanti for granting me permission to re-air my interview so my blog readers can hear it. Aren't ya'll just so special for them to do that for me?! YES YOU ARE! :D

Speaking of radio show, there's another one I'm scheduled to appear on in July as it kicks off on the brand new Blog Talk Radio network. It's Connie Bennett's Stop SUGAR SHOCK! show and it is set to debut on July 10, 2007 at 6:00pm EST.

Connie, whose amazing book SUGAR SHOCK recently received a HUGE boost from her appearance on CBS News Sunday Morning, has a full line-up of interviews she is describing as "Gab With the Gurus"TM and I'm her first guest. What an honor, Connie! THANKS for the opportunity to be one of you "gurus" to talk about low-carb living!

She promises the weekly half-hour show will be "lively, provocative, inspiring, cutting-edge" and will give you "rants, raves, sugar news with an edge, helpful tips to trim down or stomp out your sugar habit." SOUNDS AWESOME!!!

Go to the Stop SUGAR SHOCK! show page right now to set up an e-mail reminder to listen. Then, keep this number handy--(646) 716-7312--and use it to call into the show LIVE during the broadcast to share your comments and questions. It's a real live radio show--ONLINE!

Connie Bennett Ecstatic Over Response To CBS News Sunday Morning's 'Sugar' Story

Friend and fellow blogger Connie Bennett today is just tickled pink!

After having the opportunity to be filmed for a major television appearance on CBS-TV a couple of weeks ago, her big moment in the spotlight came last Sunday morning when CBS News Sunday Morning ran their story on sugar with Connie as a featured "expert." WOO HOO! We're so proud of you, Connie!

I was very impressed by this story and the truth that was shared by host Susan Spencer. It would be difficult for anyone to come away from that compelling eight or so minutes of video and NOT be forced to think about what impact sugar is having on their life. And that's why Connie is so happy!

Did you miss it somehow? If so, then don't worry! There's an entire transcript of the segment as well as a video available for you to watch it while you are there.

One thing that Christine and I both kinda rolled our eyes at was when they did what every story on obesity tends to do--showing fat people from the neck down. How embarrassing! Oh well, at least those people didn't have a head...er, so to speak!

I LOVED most of the experts and Connie was FABULOUS! But that representative named Melanie Miller with the American Sugar Association needed to have her head screwed on a little tighter. First she admits that even SHE has no idea how much sugar is in some food (and she works for the AMERICAN SUGAR ASSOCIATION!!!). Even still, she confidently exclaimed that sugar isn't the problem--eating too much and not exercising enough are.

I'm sorry to burst your bubble, Ms. Miller, but your shortsightedness about the relationship of sugar to insulin production to weight gain and diabetes simply confounds me. If eating less and moving more really worked, then everybody would be doing it. That's just a copout answer to deter attention away from sugar's culpability in so many of America's health problems.

Connie, who wrote the book SUGAR SHOCK! to expose these dangers about sugar, was absolutely ecstatic and honored to have the opportunity to share her message with the 5 million television viewers.

"Given that I'm dedicated to dishing the sour news about sugar and the sweet news about how life can be better without all that sugar, it's been a thrilling time!" she exclaimed. "Hurrah for CBS for the wonderful segment!"

Hooray indeed, Connie! As a supporter of livin' la vida low-carb and a public testimony of the joy that comes from eliminating sugar from your life forever (see my 7 tips for kicking sugar for good), this was the beginning of something that I believe we're going to see a lot more of in the coming years as weight and health continue to be white hot topics of debate--and the media cannot ignore it anymore!

Incidentally, Connie's appearance on CBS News Sunday Morning propelled her sugar-shunning book from #3,153 before the piece aired all the way up to #43 at Amazon. Similar rises were found at Barnes & Noble as well as other online book retailers.

"I'm also grateful that the CBS News Sunday Morning story featured the cover of my book in the segment," Connie added. "Americans are curious, which has been evident since all day SUGAR SHOCK! has been moving up the charts."

Above everything that has happened in this gloriously eventful week, Connie says she is optimistic that people will take the message to heart to improve their lives.

"It's my greatest hope that the millions who saw the CBS News Sunday Morning story will reassess their intake of sugar and refined carbs and think about cutting them out -- or at least cutting back -- so they may get more energy, concentrate better, peel off the pounds, and maybe even reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes," she shared.

Again, if you missed the story when it aired on Sunday, CLICK HERE to see the video and to access a full transcript of the sugary story. WELL WORTH YOUR TIME!!!

The Dangers Of Sugar Takes Center Stage On This Week's 'CBS News Sunday Morning'

Watch Susan Spencer's "CBS News Sunday Morning" feature on sugar

Last week I told you about my friend and fellow blogger Connie Bennett's opportunity to be featured on national television talking about the dangers of consuming sugar. Well, the time has arrived for that segment to be aired THIS SUNDAY morning, June 17, 2007 on CBS-TV! WOO HOO!

CBS News Sunday Morning boasts a robust 5 MILLION viewers each week and their 8-minute piece about sugar is set to be the lead story for the show. Bennett, author of the fabulous book about the negative impact of sugar called SUGAR SHOCK, is one of the featured experts.

"This is heartening that a major national TV show such as CBS News Sunday Morning is delving into this extremely important subject and telling people the truth about sugar," Bennett said. "Americans need to learn that they're probably getting at least one-quarter to one-third of their calories from refined sugar and processed carbs."

She hopes her appearance on this program will bring awareness and education to a nation of people who probably have no idea how damaging sugar is to their bodies.

"And people should know that consuming so many nutrient-deprived foods and drinks could lead to a host of health-damaging problems, including depression, failing memory, fatigue, headaches, heart disease, cancer, hypoglycemia, type 2 diabetes and premature aging," Bennett added.

The CBS News Sunday Morning segment about sugar is reported on by the talented, Emmy Award-winning journalist Susan Spencer and produced by the thorough Jason Sacca.

There will be several other sugar experts appearing on the broadcast, including a representative from the Sugar Association. I guess this caused them to stop watching my blog so closely for a few minutes! Get ready for some spin from them!

Click here to find out when CBS News Sunday Morning airs in your market.

CONGRATULATIONS on the exposure, Connie! You DESERVE it!

Join Connie Bennett, SUGAR SHOCK! For 'CBS News Sunday Morning' Taping On June 8

SUGAR SHOCK! to receive national television exposure on Sunday

If you are a fan of fellow blogger and author Connie Bennett's kick-sugar message in her fantastic book entitled SUGAR SHOCK!, then you're gonna love what I have to share with you today.

Connie announced on her SUGAR SHOCK! Blog that a film crew from the CBS News Sunday Morning show will be filming her and any other sugar addicts who live in and around New York City on Friday, June 8, 2007 for an 8-9 minute segment on why America loves their sugar so much. WOW, can you believe they're doing THIS story?!

"Wanna be on TV to help spread the word about how your sugar habit can wreak havoc on your life?" Connie exclaimed in an e-mail to supporters. "This is all very exciting!"

It is set to air on Father's Day, June 17, 2007.

"Just think: Our sugary confessions, insights and strategies can help millions of viewers of CBS News Sunday Morning to learn about the nightmare of having a sugar habit and the amazing, almost miraculous benefits that you get just by kicking it," Connie exclaimed at her blog today.

Connie says CBS really wants to talk to some sugar addicts both former and people who are still in the midst of overcoming their sugar addiction.

If you want to join in on the fun filming with Connie, then please e-mail her ASAP (she needs to know by Thursday afternoon at the latest if you can do this). In the subject line, please put "Sugar Addict (Current or Former) -- For CBS Shoot on Friday in NYC."

Connie can fill you in on the details when you contact her, but the filming will take place in Manhattan on Friday afternoon.

Everyone who shows up for this event will receive FREE access to Connie's teleseminar call on June 20, 2007 with obesity expert Dr. David Ludwig compliments of Connie Bennett for taking the time to join her. Plus, YOU GET TO BE ON TELEVISION!!!

I know Connie will be very grateful to everyone who can participate. I wish I lived closer to New York City because I'd be there in a heartbeat to share my story! Let Connie hear from you RIGHT AWAY!

Low-Carb Blogiversary Contest Prize Bundle #2

Excitement about my 2nd Annual Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Blogiversary Giveaway Contest has been overwhelming to say the least and I'm so happy to see so many of you signing up for your chance to win some really FANTASTIC prizes. It's a rare opportunity to be able to give you the chance to actually win some VALUABLE prizes, but I'm happy to do it.

Why the giveaways for MY two-year anniversary of my blog? Because I wouldn't still be doing this blogging gig if I didn't have you around to read what I've written and become educated, encouraged, and inspired about livin' la vida low-carb. So consider this my small way of giving back to you for all the faithful support you have shown me over these past two years.

You already know about that amazing Vermont Castings grill you can win as well as this first bundle of prizes that I announced the other day. Now I want to share a few more of the prizes (and we've got PLENTY more!) that are up for grabs in the contest.

If you haven't entered yet, then DON'T DELAY...ENTER TODAY!!!

Here is the second giveaway prize bundle (remember, if it's listed more than once, then that means I am giving away multiple prizes of that item!):

SUGAR SHOCK! Gift Package
SUGAR SHOCK! Gift Package
SUGAR SHOCK! Gift Package


Anti-sugar advocate Connie Bennett donates SUGAR SHOCK! prizes

If you purchase a copy of Connie Bennett's amazing new book entitled SUGAR SHOCK! in the bookstore or on Amazon.com, then you will be getting a paperback version of this outstanding resource guide to the dangers of sugar. But how would you like to win a limited edition HARDBACK copy of that book signed by the author, receive a complimentary invitation to participate in the upcoming 21-Day Stop SUGAR SHOCK! Diet™ teleseminar series beginning June 5, 2007, and a FREE half-hour private coaching sessions with Connie herself? She's given me THREE of these SUGAR SHOCK! gift packages to provide to my readers, so good luck! Learn more about Connie Bennett's coaching sessions by visiting CoachingWithConnie.com and order her book from Amazon by clicking here.

AN ENTIRE CASE OF DREAMFIELDS LOW-CARB SPAGHETTI


Pull out your favorite sauce recipe, spaghetti is BACK!

Fans of my blog know how much I rave about Dreamfields low-carb pasta. This stuff is absolutely incredible and I highly recommend it for people who are watching their carbs and want to include pasta in their healthy lifestyle. Now you'll have the chance to win an entire case of 20 boxes of Dreamfields spaghetti during my giveaway contest. In fact, you can even access a special Dreamfields page just for readers of "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" by clicking here.

$50 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO VIVA LOW-CARB
FREE ZERO CARB BREAD FOR A MONTH


Viva Low-Carb has some remarkable bread without carbs

Our friends over at Viva Low-Carb are back for the second year in a row with a prize for my blogiversary contest and the owner Rosanna has offered two prizes--a gift certificate and a rather unique offer for one fortunate reader. The gift certificate is for $50 and lets you shop their great low-carb superstore at VivaLowCarb.com. But it's the FREE zero carb bread for a month that caught my eye. The offer is for them to ship to you 2 loaves of bread or package of the bagels of your choice every Monday for 4 weeks. I have tried these zero carb bagels and they are fabulous!

STEVIVA BRAND STEVIA GIFT PACK


Steviva brand stevia lets you sweeten food and drinks naturally

While the Food & Drug Administration dances around the semantics of calling it a supplement versus a sweetener, the fact remains that many diabetics and people who are livin' la vida low-carb are using stevia in their favorite recipes as an all-natural way to replace the sugar in their diet. That's what the company Steviva is providing consumers and they want you to have a chance to win their special stevia gift pack: an 8 ounce bottle of Steviva Brand 95% Stevia Powder and a 1-pound bag of Steviva Brand Stevia Blend for cooking and baking. Visit Steviva.com to learn more about this product.

OUR LADY OF WEIGHT LOSS BOOK AND GREETING CARDS


That wild and wacky Janice Taylor has some neat gifts for you

Finally, we have a special prize from that hilarious author Janice Taylor whose book is entitled Our Lady of Weight Loss: Miraculous and Motivational Musings from the Patron Saint of Permanent Fat Removal. In addition to that truly funny book about the subject of weight loss, Janice is gonna throw in six of her equally jovial Glorious Greeting cards for the person who wins this prize. Learn more about Janice and her unique weight loss products at OurLadyOfWeightLoss.com.

Whew! Aren't these some outstanding prizes?! And I'm just getting revved up sharing them with you, so keep checking back in the coming days to learn more about what you can win in the 2nd Annual Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Blogiversary Giveaway Contest. Don't forget to ENTER THE CONTEST so you can become eligible to win! THANKS to everyone who has participated in my contest so far. Now, let me hear from YOU!

25 Signs You May Suffer From Hypoglycemia

The energetic, beautiful, and talented Connie Bennett!

Back by popular demand is bestselling author Connie Bennett from the SUGAR SHOCK! blog guest blogging with more information about the subject of hypoglycemia which you may find quite the eye-opener, especially if you or a loved one suffers from any of these nasty symptoms. Remember to leave your comments for Connie and she will respond right here at my blog. ENJOY!

Dear readers of the "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog,

It's Connie Bennett again. As you may recall, I'm one of Jimmy's many blogging buddies. I'm also a former sugar addict, holistic health counselor and author of the new book SUGAR SHOCK! from Berkley Books (part of the Penguin Group). Anyhow, Jimmy is being kind enough to allow me to guest blog over here as I continue my worldwide SUGAR SHOCK! Blog Tour.

Today, I'm here to talk to you about reactive hypoglycemia, which is a condition that not enough doctors recognize or accept. In my previous post, I mentioned a few symptoms you could get. What you may find mind-boggling is that if you have hypoglycemia (also called low blood sugar), you could have as many as 125 ailments! (To understand more about this condition and how it's often misdiagnosed, read this excerpt from my book SUGAR SHOCK!)

In fact, hypoglycemia has been called the “Great Imitator” because its strange, startling symptoms can mimic a frightening array of diseases and conditions. For instance, people with reactive hypoglycemia have been misdiagnosed as having bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, neurosis, migraines, Parkinson’s syndrome, paroxysmal tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), rheumatoid arthritis, mental retardation, alcoholism, hyperactive disorder, and even senility.

Isn't that scary? You may have reactive hypoglycemia, but your doctor diagnoses the wrong disease or condition! (By the way, in SUGAR SHOCK!, I share some scary stories about people getting misdiagnosed.)

So, here are 25 symptoms which signify you may have hypoglycemia:

1. Cravings for sweets
2. Mental confusion
3. Mood swings
4. Unexplained fatigue and exhaustion
5. Weak spells
6. Cold sweats
7. Depression
8. Headaches
9. Heart palpitations
10. Digestive disturbances
11. Forgetfulness
12. Insomnia
13. Anxiety
14. Obesity
15. Internal trembling
16. Crying spells
17. Lack of sex drive (females)
18. Impotence (males)
19. Allergies
20. Blurred vision
21. Night terrors and nightmares
22. Muscle pains
23. Allergies
24. Itching and crawling sensations on the skin
25. Internal trembling

I’m not a doctor, but if you have a number of the health woes cited above, I’d highly recommend that you see a physician to learn if you have hypoglycemia or another blood sugar condition. (The five-hour Glucose Tolerance Test, while unpleasant, may be able to give you some answers.)

Bear in mind, though, often, if you kick sugar (or at least drastically cut back on your consumption of sweets and refined carbs), you may be able to cut out (or curtail) these ailments. (I'm not promising anything, but isn’t it worth a try to find out?)

Incidentally, that’s what happened to me: I quit eating sugar and quickie carbs on doctor's orders in 1998, and all 44 of my symptoms completely vanished! So, I invite you to do some self-exploration.

- Do you have any of the symptoms I mentioned above? Which ones?
- Do you have any other baffling ailments? Think about any and all health problems that you have such as headaches, mood swings, getting too tired or wired, difficulty focusing, etc.

I’m eager to hear back from you and maybe help steer you in the right direction. Don’t be bashful. Tell us about your strange symptoms.

Connie Bennett, C.H.H.C.,
Author, SUGAR SHOCK! (Berkley Books)
www.SugarShockBlog.com

Connie Bennett Guest Blogs On Hypoglycemia

What a sweet sugar-free and delicious treat I have for you in this post because my fellow low-carb blogging and sugar-shunning friend Connie Bennett from the SUGAR SHOCK! blog is currently on her worldwide blog book tour in promotion of her dynamic bestselling debut book release SUGAR SHOCK!: How Sweets And Simple Carbs Can Derail Your Life--And How You Can Get Back On Track!



Connie has a special message just for YOU about the sometimes confusing and misunderstood health condition known as hypoglycemia. Special THANKS to Connie for sharing this invaluable information with my readers and I urge you to pick up a copy or two of this very important book.

Here's the personalized message Connie has just for YOU:

Greetings, readers of Livin' La Vida Low-Carb,

It's my pleasure to be a guest here on my colleague/blogging buddy Jimmy Moore's Livin' La Vida Low-Carb blog. My name is Connie Bennett, and I'm an experienced journalist and the author of SUGAR SHOCK! (Berkley Books), which was recently released and is now for sale at bookstores everywhere and online retailers like Amazon, BarnesAndNoble.com, WalMart.com and Powells.com.

My "adoration" of--or should I say overwhelmingly unhealthy attachment to--carbs dates back to 1998...actually, even before then. You see, I'm a former sugar addict with a torrent of tales about how I used to embarrass myself mightly because of all those "culprit carbs" that I so avidly over-consumed. In fact, I now even jokingly refer to myself as an "Ex-Sugar Shrew!" (See how I playfully poke fun of myself in this cartoon.)

In retrospect, the worst part of my sugar habit was that I was besieged by a host of baffling, seemingly unrelated ailments--horrible headaches, severe PMS, a mind-numbing "brain fog," embarrassing forgetfulness, out-of-the-blue dizziness, unsettling depression, scary heart palpitations, and even more! It wasn't until my doctor diagnosed me with reactive hypoglycemia and bluntly stated, "Connie, quit all sugar and simple carbs" that I reluctantly walked away from these nutrient-lacking foods. Now, my goal is to spread the sour scoop about sweets and to help you break free.

By the way, perhaps, the name of my book (SUGAR SHOCK!) rings a bell, because Jimmy was one of a number of people who was kind enough to endorse it. He was joined by many top health experts, bestselling authors, and famous personalities, including the renowned Dr. Mehmet Oz, co-author of the huge bestseller, YOU: On A Diet. Not only that, but Jimmy gave a wonderful thumbs-up review, too. (Thanks again, Jimmy.)

So, I'm here today and tomorrow to draw your attention to the pervasiveness of hypoglycemia, a hugely misunderstood and often maligned condition by members of the medical establishment. (You can read an eye-opening excerpt from my book SUGAR SHOCK! by clicking here.)

I'd like to invite you to do what I call "Sugary Soul Searching" to begin to examine whether or not your weight issues may be related to symptoms of hypoglycemia:

- Do you think your weight problem is connectd to your sugar habit and your humongous sugar cravings?

- Are you besieged by a whole host of perplexing symptoms such as the ones I've mentioned above?

- Do you find that you'd rather eat those low-quality carbs than relish veggies and other high-caliber carbs?

- Do you skimp on better foods just to make room for those nutrient-lacking candies?

I look forward to hearing back from you. Feel free to ask me questions, too.

Connie Bennett
Author, SUGAR SHOCK! (Berkley Books)
www.SugarShockBlog.com

Please share your questions and feedback for Connie in the comments section below. She will be monitoring my blog and providing responses for YOU. She's the expert, so ask away everyone!

Help Push SUGAR SHOCK! To #1 On Amazon

Could this be the #1 book on Amazon sometime today?

I've got some super exciting news to share with you today about fellow blogger Connie Bennett, who is the author of the explosive new book release about how unhealthy sugar is I have shared with you before called SUGAR SHOCK!

This book is already changing the lives of so many people in just the first few weeks since it released in late December, but I cannot wait to tell you how YOU can help make this book even more influential than it has already been.

Today, January 17, 2007 is probably going to go down as a special day for the SUGAR SHOCK! book. As of the writing of this blog post, it has already cracked the Top 100 over at Amazon.com and I think we can give it that last little push to make it shoot to #1!

Why is this important to you? I'll give you several reasons to ponder.

1. We all know someone who needs to give up sugar.
2. Perhaps deep down inside YOU still struggle with sugar addiction.
3. Here's a low-carb advocate with a chance to help MANY people!

This barely scratches the surface of what's at stake here, but think about this: wouldn't it be GREAT to have a LOW-CARB book as the #1 overall bestseller at Amazon?! Do you know the kind of prestige that can give a book like this in the eyes of the average, everyday person who may not even know this book exists?

Well, if you are as focused on getting the message out about this fantastic sugar-shunning book as I am, then let me urge you RIGHT NOW to go purchase 1, 2, or even 10 copies of SUGAR SHOCK!: How Sweets And Simple Carbs Can Derail Your Life--And How You Can Get Back On Track! to help Connie shake up not just the diet & health book category, but quite frankly the book industry itself! What an opportunity we have here!

To make it worth your while, Connie is ready to shower you with lots of FREE GIFTS from her friends and fellow experts that will provide you with (get this!) nearly $1400 worth of resources all for buying this $10 book on Amazon. Go to SugarBookPromo.com to see all of the amazing gifts you will receive just for getting Connie's book today.

Read what Connie herself had to say about her book:

"I'd 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. Often, the topics I cover came about just because of valuable feedback and suggestions from my clients. So get more energy, improved concentration, and better health now. You deserve to feel the best you can feel!"

Remember, the FREE GIFT offer is only valid for TODAY JANUARY 17TH ONLY, so go get SUGAR SHOCK! and then go pick up your overflow of FREE PRIZES for doing it!

Won't YOU help push SUGAR SHOCK! to #1 on Amazon.com?

1-17-07 UPDATE @1:30PM EST: Right now, SUGAR SHOCK! has catapulted to the Top 20 overall and in the Top 10 of health books! WOO HOO! Because of this status, you can NOW get SUGAR SHOCK! for LESS THAN NINE BUCKS each since bestsellers are 40% off! I just bought 3 copies of this book at Amazon to give away as gifts to people who need to her this message. The total price for the 3 books was about $25 which qualified me for FREE SHIPPING! WOW WOW WOW! Why wait any longer, go get this book! :)

1-17-07 UPDATE @2:00PM EST: Connie's cracked the Top 10 OVERALL at Amazon now landing the #8 position right now. She's got some big boys to beat ahead of her, including books from Barack Obama, Bob Greene, and Mehmet Oz, but WE CAN MAKE IT #1! Have you gotten your copies of this amazing new low-carb book yet? Time is crucial here, so let's push to make it soar to the top spot--go get SUGAR SHOCK! right now! What a historic moment this would be in 2007!

1-17-07 UPDATE @3:00PM EST: Well, it's getting harder now to move SUGAR SHOCK! up the charts in the Top 10, but it's now at #7. THANK YOU to everyone who has gotten the book this far up the charts. AMAZING! I'm thinking of buying three more books today to help push it that much closer. Have you gotten in on the fun yet? :D I know Connie would appreciate however many you can get.

1-17-07 UPDATE @7:00PM EST: As of right now, the book has creeped up to #6 and trying desperately to get to the top spot. It looks like we're getting there, but not quite yet. There's still time for you to take advantage of getting this book on this special day. Remember, if you buy THREE of them for only $25 that includes the shipping, then don't forget you also get all those other nearly $1400 worth of prizes, too! Have you done your part for SUGAR SHOCK! yet? Only a few more hours are left!

Connie Bennett's SUGAR SHOCK! Has Arrived

The exciting debut book from Connie Bennett is here!

In August I warned you to brace yourself for it. Then, a couple of weeks ago I implored you to be ready for this moment and now it has arrived. What is it?

Now that it's Tuesday, December 26, 2006, today marks the long-awaited worldwide debut book release from Connie Bennett entitled SUGAR SHOCK!: How Sweets And Simple Carbs Can Derail Your Life--And How You Can Get Back On Track! (read my review of this book). Stop RIGHT NOW and GO GET THIS BOOK TODAY or you can ORDER IT NOW from Amazon at a special price around $10 for a limited introductory promotional price. It won't stay at that low price for long, so get it while you can and you'll even qualify for FREE SUPER SAVER SHIPPING, too!

SUGAR SHOCK! has been several years in the making and will be well worth every penny you invest in this labor of love that Connie has put into it. You'll find page after page of informative, educational, and uplifting messages of hope and inspiration that a life without sugar can be a sweet ride indeed.

Start thinking about the people in your life who are addicted to sugar. Maybe it's YOU or your husband, kids, a co-worker, that friend from church...ANYONE who needs serious help overcoming their love affair with sugar which has left their weight and health in shambles. SUGAR SHOCK! will help them pick up the pieces and guide them on the path to success in a nonthreatening and sometimes humorous manner.

The thing I like most about Connie Bennett is her honesty. She doesn't sugarcoat (ALL PUN INTENDED!) her own experiences because she wants people to know about the process of feeling like you can't live without sugar into someone who describes herself now as a "sugar shrew no more!" SUGAR SHOCK! points you in the right direction for shunning sugar forever.

Above everything else, Connie is one of us. She supports livin' la vida low-carb and gives credit to the low-carb lifestyle throughout her book. Unlike some "other" books about sugar that are out there (ahem, no names here!) which SLAM low-carb living as quackery and unrealistic, Connie Bennetts lays the TRUTH out there for everyone to see and is unashamed of her stance. I admire that about her and feel her embracing of genuine low-carb living merits a closer look by those of us who advocate this incredible way of life.

With New Year's resolutions coming next week, what better time to START thinking about kicking your sugar habit than on January 1, 2007? Go get SUGAR SHOCK! TODAY so you will be armed and ready to make that commitment in earnest by this time next week. I promise you it will be all worth it.

Actually, January 1st will be my three year anniversary since I totally quit sugar cold turkey and it's a decision I have NEVER regretted. Today, just the thought of putting sugar in my mouth absolutely repulses me. It's disgusting to even think about, let alone actually do it. Let SUGAR SHOCK! show YOU how that can happen in your life, too.

Let's rally behind Connie Bennett's SUGAR SHOCK! and send that book soaring up the bestseller charts. People need to know the truth and Connie gives healthy doses of it in her spectacular debut!

You've got some Christmas cash, so get this book in a flash! I know Connie will be eternally grateful for your commitment to her book as you share about it with others who desperately need to learn from it. They're definitely going to be in for the SUGAR SHOCK! of their lives!

Sugar-Shunning Tips In Time For The Holidays

The holiday season and all the sugary temptations that come with it is here whether you like it or not. It's a shame that Christmastime has almost become synonymous with gorging yourself on food, especially high-carb ones, but it's true! No wonder so many people end up 10-20 pounds heavier come January when they resolve to shed those pounds they picked up during the month of December. AAAAACK!

Why not stop the madness before it starts by participating in a teleseminar call with "Sugar Shrew No More" Connie Bennett on Thursday, December 14, 2006 at 8:00PM EST. Author of the highly-anticipated new book entitled SUGAR SHOCK!, Connie has received overwhelming feedback from her KickSugar group about what to do to ward off those pesky sugar peddlers that come out the woodwork this time of year.

The teleseminar will arm you with ways to "politely put off those well-meaning hosts and hostesses."

If you are concerned about overindulging at your Christmas party at the office or with friends or family in the coming weeks, then Connie provides invaluable tips and tools for knowing your own limits and setting the right boundaries regarding sugar consumption if you absolutely must do it.

"Bear in mind that some people can do this while others find that one bite of a dessert opens a can of worms," Connie exclaims. "Well, more like a gallon of ice cream."

Finally, Connie will share some ways to take the stress out of the holidays so you welcome in 2007 with a fresh outlook ready to take on the challenges of the new year.

Every participant in the call will receive a FREE GIFT worth $29 and there will also be a drawing for not one, but two "SUGAR SHOCK!" gift packages, including the brand new book coming out on December 26th!

Connie is soliciting YOUR best questions about sugar addiction and how to break it in a special AskConnieNow.com web site. Hit Connie with your toughest questions and she'll fire them down one-by-one come Thursday evening.

"I'll make sure to talk about what you tell me you want and need," she said.

As an added bonus, Connie is also looking for people to submit their most creative ways to "Say No With Sass" when someone offers you a sugary treat. Oh, that oughta be a LOAD of fun!

Go to AskConnieNow.com to hear a personalized message from Connie and to submit your name, e-mail address, and question or comment. You will then receive an e-mail from Connie telling you exactly what you need to do so you can join the call. It's that easy!

Get those sugar-shunning tips ingrained into your head on Thursday just before you go to bed. :D

Get Ready For The SUGAR SHOCK! Of Your Life

Connie Bennett's book coming December 26, 2006--PRE-ORDER TODAY!

Tens of millions of people in the United States of America every single day willfully expose themselves to one of the most harmful substances that has ever been discovered. This stuff quite literally wreaks havoc on both your mental and physical health in a multiplicity of ways like nothing else and yet nobody seems to be sounding the alarm loud enough for something to be done about this dangerous substance before it claims any more victims.

Is it crack cocaine? No. How about the much-vilified fat? Uh-uh. Could it be alcoholic beverages? Nope again. This is arguably one of the most stealth public health threats in the history of mankind that has quite literally fallen beneath the radar of public scorn somehow while millions of people worldwide have fallen prey to its inevitable health consequences.

I'm referring to the sweet kiss of death known as sugar!

In the great debate over the healthiness of this white granular substance, there is one singular voice of reason that rises above them all. Her name is Connie Bennett and she has written the ultimate book on why people should be concerned about consuming too much sugar in her long-awaited debut book release entitled SUGAR SHOCK!: How Sweets And Simple Carbs Can Derail Your Life--And How You Can Get Back On Track! from Berkley Books (part of the Penguin Group).

With all the honesty of a woman who admits her once all-encompassing, head-over-heels love affair with sugar, Bennett implores her tremendous skills as a talented journalist to uncover some deep dark secrets surrounding sugar by digging into the great body of research and personal experiences of people who have been negatively impacted by it. What she discovers in the process could very well unlock the mystery behind so many of the health crises that plague our healthcare system today.

Incredibly entertaining and impeccably sourced, SUGAR SHOCK! will quite literally give you the "shock" of your life when you learn just how ruthless and unforgiving sugar can actually be on your health. For people who smugly proclaim that "it's only sugar," you might want to get yourself a copy of this book and see for yourself why there is cause for concern.

Bennett, along with medical consulting from cardiologist and nutritionist Dr. Stephen Sinatra, share her harrowing experiences with sugar, including wild mood swings, unstable blood sugar, depression, headaches, and much worse. It's this personal touch that makes you realize she isn't just blowing smoke on a subject she knows nothing about. On the contrary, Bennett is abundantly aware of the reaction she had to sugar and wants to warn others so they can avoid the same mistakes she did.

Aftering becoming successful at overcoming her own SUGAR SHOCK!, now Bennett seeks to educate people about what they can do to not only reduce, but actually eliminate their desire to eat sugar ever again. Seriously! Does this sound too good to be true? After you read this book, you may never want to put anything containing sugar in your mouth for the rest of your life. This book is indeed lifechanging!

As someone who has lost nearly 200 pounds on the low-carb lifestyle and by permanently eliminating sugar from my diet, I can certainly appreciate what Bennett has to say about how processed carbs are exascerbating the weight and health of most Americans. I was there once weighing over 400 pounds and suffering from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and breathing problems. Additionally, my sugar addiction had me gripped by the throat and refused to let me go.

All of that changed in 2004 when I bid farewell to sugar and my life will never be the same again. It is a difficult transition, but a necessary one that people need to make before sugar claims you as its next victim. That's why I appreciate what Connie Bennett is doing to help others who desire to learn more about the outstanding benefits of eating quality carbohydrates while pointing people away from eating simple sugars. She really puts the whole "low-carb equals no carb" rumor to rest by sharing the kinds of "quality carb" foods people can and should be eating as part of a healthy lifestyle.

You also have the opportunity to jump in on the challenge to kick sugar from your life forever after Bennett explains why you would want to do that, including improving your sex life (WHAT?!), helping your brain function, giving your emotions a boost, and loosening your addiction to the sweet stuff. Plus, Bennett reveals how that innocent sugary dessert you feel you can't live without could actually be the reason why diabetes, cancer, heart disease and obesity rates are all reaching epidemic proportions in the United States and around the world! It makes you wonder, doesn't it?

So, what do you do after you experience SUGAR SHOCK! and are thoroughly convinced of your need to stop eating sugar? Well, you look for the cure and Bennett offers that to you as well with key tips and advice about what to eat, how and what to shop for instead of sugar, overcoming cravings, and defeating the sugar monster in your life forever. You just don't realize how much better you will feel until sugar no longer has control over your life.

Featuring a distinguished foreword by Dr. Nicholas Perricone as well as input and endorsements from many of the world's most renowned health experts, including Dr. Mehmet Oz, Dr. Marion Nestle, Dr. Mark Hyman, Dr. Barry Sears, Dr. Fred Pescatore, and countless others, SUGAR SHOCK! is indeed one of the most important health books of the twenty-first century! Every single diabetic and obese person needs to read this book! Get a copy for yourself and for every overweight and sick friend and family member that you know. This is just too important a subject to be ignored any longer! THANK YOU, Connie Bennett!

12-10-06 UPDATE: I think Connie liked my review of her book! :)