Why We Overeat: The Toxic Food Environment & Obesity

Join the Conversation. What is your biggest Ahah! from this video, “Why We Overeat: The Toxic Food Environment and Obesity”? Talk to us now.
Do you or your loved ones overeat? Have you or your family members been gaining unwanted excess weight? Are you concerned about our obesity crisis?
To gain insights into why two-thirds of people are getting fatter and fatter and sicker and sicker, I urge you to watch a video of this fascinating panel discussion, “Why We Overeat: The Toxic Food Environment & Obesity,” thanks to the Harvard School of Public Health and the Huffington Post.
I’m so excited that I came across this video while doing research for my next book, Tame Your Crazy Cravings™.
This program presented an illustrious panel, which included:
Walter Willett, Chair, Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, and Fredrick John Stare Professor of Epidemiology and Nutrition
David Kessler, Former Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco; and Author, The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite
Dariush Mozaffarian, Associate Professor in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School and
Michael Rich, Director, Center on Media and Child Health, Boston Children’s Hospital
The modferator of “Why We Overeat” was moderated brilliantly by Meredith Melnick, Editorial Director for HuffPost Healthy Living.
This program has many fascinating points, and I urge you to watch through it for the entire time.
In particular, I urge you to pay attentiont to these fascinating comments from Dr. Mozaffarian:
“Now sugar, I agree that sugar is a problem, but sugar is no greater a problem and then totally unsweetened refined grains. And the worry I have about just focusing on sugar, it gives the refined grains, it gets them off the hook.
“So white bread, all refined cereals that have no added sugar at all, they say zero sugar on the panel, those are just as bad. And when we’ve looked at populations of hundreds of thousands of people, the weight gain associated with Skittles is exactly the same weight gain that is associated with Corn Flakes or white bread or a bagel. So to think that a bagel, that has no sugar, is different than candy is really misleading. …”
Also, I invite you to keep watching to check out the second video (at 59:00) from the HBO film, Weight of the Nation, .where you can discover which beverages contain the most sugar content, thanks to The WATCH Nutrition Clinic.
I’d love to hear what you think about this video.
Join the Conversation. What is your biggest Ahah! from this video, “Why We Overeat The Toxic Food Environment & Obesity”? Talk to us now.

How to Skip Overeating This Thanksgiving: 3 Simple Tips for a Sweeter, Slimming Holiday

Every Thanksgiving, being grateful often takes a back seat to over-indulging at family gatherings.
Gulping down fast-acting, processed carbohydrates, sugar-loaded desserts, and gluten-rich foods is far more common than pleasurably savoring the various culinary concoctions.
20101117-stuffingFor many, Thanksgiving means they’ll go into Sugar Shock and Carb Shock (as I dub it), and develop “Grain Brain,” as Dr. David Perlmutter puts it in his book of the same name.
In fact, I predict that on Thanksgiving, most Americans will overeat, especially those culplrit carbs.
It’s simply a given that you’ll over-indulge on this holiday. One gym even suggested that you “work out before you pig out.” Aargh!
It’s time to ignore the insidious programming that drives you to overeat on Thanksgiving.
Even if you’ve stuffed yourself at previous holiday feasts, instead this Thanksgiving you can achieve Sweet Freedom.
To begin the Sweet Freedom Thanksgiving Funcise (Fun Exercise), think ahead to the day after Thanksgiving,
Choose now not to get an upset stomach. Plan now not to pig out. Select the smarter choice — to savor the sweet holiday experience.
This Thanksgiving, you can easily shift your attention away from those cunning carbs and desserts, which most Americans over-consume and which ample research shows can contribute to more than 100-plus diseases and ailments, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, type 2 diabetes, and even an early death.
It’s time to take back your Sugar Power and Carb Control. This Thanksgiving, you can avoid being overly tempted by:
Cranberries, a super-healthy food that’s generally downgraded by adding gobs of sugar.
Yams or sweet potatoes, whose inherent nutrient-goodness is often destroyed on Thanksgiving by adding unnecessary brown sugar and marshmallows.
Stuffing, which generally contains gluten galore. (Use Dr. Sarah Gottlieb’s awesome gluten-free, sugar-free recipe instead.)
Pumpkin pie, which is a far cry from the delectable, nutritious, fiber-rich vegetable and weight-loss ally, as Dr. Jonny Bowden points out. The dessert you usually get a Thankisviing is weighed down by sugary, fatty ingredients; features a gluten-rich crust; and is slathered by whipped cream.
Gravy-sodden turkey.
Here’s a three-part simple way to skip over-indulging this Thanksgiving and take leisurely, sociable tastes instead. (I recommend you take two to four small bites maximium of each dish.)
But before you dig into those tantalizing carb creations, just ask yourself these three simple questions:
Would I rather overeat [fill in name of food(s)] tonight and feel sluggish, fuzzy-headed, and cranky tomorrow (for up to three days afterwards)? OR would I rather have a slim, healthy body and mind? (If you have weight to lose, this thought can stop you from over-indulging.)
Would I rather overeat those carbs or sweets or enjoy the good company of family and friends on this special day?
Wouldn’t I rather feel better about myself by shifting my focus from the carb-food to gratitude, which, of course, is supposed to be the whole point of this celebration? Remind yourself that night of list of “5 Things for Which I’m Most Grateful.”
This simple, three-part mental exercise can take your attention away from those potentially harmful carb substasnces and instead put you on the path toward feeling good and enjoying your life -– not just on this holiday but during the whole holiday season ahead.
Have a sweet, joyous and healthy Thanksgiving.
New to this Sugar Shock Blog? Connie Bennett is a former lethargic, dejected sugar-addicted journalist, who reluctantly quit sugar on doctor’s orders in 1998 after being pummeled by 44 strange ailments (brain fog, heart palpitations, mood swings, etc.). Now, 15 years later, the energetic, uplifting Connie spreads the word that Life is Sweeter When Sugar Doesn’t Seduce You™. She is recognized as the Sweet Freedom Coach, and she is a life coach, health coach, blogger, and motivational speaker, who has helped thousands of sugar and carb addicts worldwide. Connie is author of two bestselling books, Sugar Shock and Beyond Sugar Shock, which have been praised by many acclaimed health gurus and celebrities, including America’s Favorite Doctor, Dr. Mehmet Oz, as well as Dr. Wayne Dyer, Dr. Christiane Northrup, Dr. Daniel Amen, Brian Tracy, Bernie Siegel, Mark Sisson, Marci Shimoff, John Assaraff, JJ Virgin, Katie Dolgin (“High Voltage”), and Jimmy Moore.
Subscribe to this Sugar Shock Blog and like Connie on her Facebook fan page.

Beyond Sugar Shock Book Launch Weeks Kicks Off

Today, it’s my pleasure to kick off the Beyond Sugar Shock Book Launch Week with some exciting interviews and activities.
Although the launch is officially on Tuesday, we’re getting an early start with the following:
Monday, June 4
Jill Lane image-displayMonday, June 4 at 9:15 am PDT: Interview with Jill Lane in Dallas. www.oneliferadio.com. Today, it’s my pleasure to be interviewed by Jill Lane, an expert in the fields of nutrition and exercise physiology. Jill — who is pasionate about helping pro athletes and high achievers attain max strength, quick recovery, heightened energy, sharp focus and optimal body fat for peak performance — was oversaw the meal planning and recipes, which are included in Beyond Sugar Shock. Some of her current and past clients include coaches and players from the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Stars and Cleveland Browns as well as a variety of tennis and golf pros. As I’ve discovered upon interviewing Jill, her colleagues say she is gifted at turning complicated biochemistry into simple concepts and action steps that produce success.
Monday, June 4 at 10 am PDT: My Gab with the Gurus Show focuses on vegetarianism and Meatless Monday. For the first day of the Beyond Sugar Shock Book Launch Week, listeners will learn how going meatless once a week may reduce your risk of chronic preventable conditions like cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity, as well as reduce your carbon footprint and save precious resources. My guests are a Meatless Monday representative; gourmet chef/health coach Alex Jamieson (who appeared on “Oprah” and “Super Size Me” Alex Jamiesonand is author of Living Vegan for Dummies and The Great American Detox Diet); and Judith Kinsbury, founder of the popular SavvyVegetarian.com blog. Both authors offer recipes, which appear in my book, Beyond Sugar Shock. In honor of Book Launch Week, Gab with the Gurus listeners will have a chance to a copy of my book, access to my Sugar Freedom Now Course, and even time with me. See this: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/gabwiththegurus/2012/06/04/meatless-monday-alex-jamieson-savvy-vegetarian-go-beyond.
Diane Ray 11128promoMonday, June 4 at 11 am: The dynamic host and radio show veteran Diane Ray interviews me on her popular, fun “I Can Do It Hour!” on www.HayHouseRadio.com. If you haven’t listened yet to Diane’s inspiring show, you must! On this weekely show, you have a special opportunity to get entertained and educated each week by empowering, compassionate Hay House authors. In addition, you can call in and ask her guests questions. As I’ve mentioned previously, I’m honored that Hay House is the publisher of my book, Beyond Sugar Shock .
First Week in June
HealyourlifelogoMy article, “My 14 Years Without Sugar: Reflections on a Sour Life Turned Sweet,” runs on www.HealYourLife.com. Stay tuned for the exact link. In the article, I tell how how I made the transition from sugar addict to Sugar Freedom Coach. For those of you struggling with your addiction, you’ll learn about just how bad it got for me.
MaryOKeefeHope, Healing and WellBeing Show: Catch my interview all week with Mary Treacy O’Keefe, breast cancer survivor and co-founder and President of Well Within, a nonprofit holistic wellness resource center in St. Paul, MN. Mary’s goals are to help people reduce their levels of anxiety and foster hope, healing and spiritual growth. Mary is also trained as a Cancer Guide and as a Mind, Body Skills facilitator by the Center for Mind Body Medicine in Washington, D.C. Mary’s first book, Thin Places: Where Faith is Affirmed and Hope Dwells, received Honorable Mention from the national Independent Publishers Book Awards. She is currently completing her next book, Meant to Be: Do Things Really Happen for a Reason?
Stay tuned for exciting activities on the official Beyond Sugar Shock Book Launch Day on Tuesday, June 5, too.
You’re invited to spread the word on Tuesday, too, to all your friends, fans, colleagues and acquaintances about this book, which is designed to help sugar addicts worldwide.