Product Description
A provocative exposŽ of the negative effects of sugars and simple carbs-and how to break the addiction.
Most readers already know that succumbing to sweets too often can lead to obesity and diabetes. What many don't know, however, is that too many "quickie carbs" can bring on a host of other maladies-such as "brain fog," fatigue, mood swings, heart disease, and even cancer-from which millions may be suffering because of their sugar or carbohydrate habits. Once besieged by 44 seemingly unconnected symptoms, former "sugar addict" Connie Bennett, an experienced journalist, managed to kick sweets and simple carbs in 1998. She improved her health-and uncovered extensive medical research that substantiated her theory: people who eat too many low-caliber culprit carbs could be in sugar shock. Based on the insights of thousands of physicians, nutritionists, researchers, and "sugar sufferers" worldwide, SUGAR SHOCK!(tm) not only addresses how badly sugar affects the body, it demonstrates how everyone can kick the sugar habit.
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 I'm a sugar addict - how do I stop?? ( pounceuma )
Even though I gave "Sugar Shock" three stars, I want to say up front that I DO like it; it has made clear to me how sugar has messed my life up and I have been in so much denial about my reliance on it. I really am like an alcoholic or crack addict! I have not yet stopped eating sugar - it's scary to think about trying to do it again and failing again, but I am feeling more concern for my health and damn it, I want to live a real life that's not clouded by the stuff.
The reason I gave this book three stars is because of the author's presentation; she frequently reads like an ad, not a book. She'll say things like, "...John showed classic signs of sugar addiction, which I outline on my website and blog site www...." It's so infomercial-y. I tried to overlook this but it kept coming up through the book. Although this doesn't dilute her message, the constant referral to her web site and commercial references like that make her sound like she's more interested in marketing her company and herself than she is in her message. In other words, she can be annoying.
Also, I felt she spent too much time on how sugar is ruining our lives - but little space on how to practically eliminate it. She offers a list of seven tips on getting sugar out of your life but if I am a sugar addict, I need more than that.
I would have liked to have learned more about her own experience than just about when her dr told her to drop sugar and she did and it changed her life. I would like to have heard about if she had sugar withdrawals so strong she thought she would scream or if she ever experiences cravings now. She doesn't really talk about herself much apart from that initial "burning bush"-like moment at her dr's office -- which doesn't inspire me much. I've had those moments, too, and make a great start but then fail.
I do believe her when she says it changed her life but for most addicts of any kind (note I said, "most") it's not just "I decided to stop and I did and my life is SO much better!" That's the issue with addicts: we all WANT to stop but it's hard to do it, so we feel trapped. HOW do we get out?
On another note, I was surprised to see an endorsement on the book and a review here from Jimmy "Livin' La Vida Low Carb" only because on his web site he seems really into artificial sweeteners (which I am, too) but the author of this book does not recommend them at all. Whatever!
The authors of "Sugar Shock" make a convincing case to significantly cut down, if not completely eliminate, sugar from our diets. I'm going to try it for sure.
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 WOW!
This book was more informative than I could of ever imagined. I changed the way I ate before ever finishing the second chapter.
Great book with very important facts especially if you are diabetic or could be.
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Life-changing book ( llevey42 )
I first heard an interview with the author of this book on the radio. I was very interested in the subject, as I have been trying to lose weight for some time with limited success. When I read the book, it really made me think twice about everything I was eating. I took the plunge and eliminated 90% of all sugar and refined foods. In 3 months, I have dropped 20 lbs and feel great. In addition, our grocery bills have actually gone down! I have since bought three more copies for family members.
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Life-changing book
I read this book 5 months ago in the hopes of learning more about refined sugar and it's adverse affects on the body. I ended up not only learning that, but losing 22 pounds.
Sugar Shock is well-written, fast-paced and full of useful information about uncovering why we feel like crap when we eat overly-processed, starchy and/or sugary crap. What I thought was a healthy diet (juice, bagels with fat-free butter, frozen yogurt, bread, etc) was really just making me cranky and overweight.
I owe Connie everything for writing this book. Once you understand the how sugar affects you, it is much easier to make positive changes that will stick for life.
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Thank You, Connie! ( cakegrrl2007 )
I stumbled upon this book a few months ago when I was doing research on no sugar diets. It documents the story of Connie Bennett, a certified holistic health counselor and the author, who is hypoglycemic. Bennett explores the addictive nature of sugar and the effects it can have on your health. The book is co-authored with Dr. Stephen Sinatra, M.D.
Before Bennett was diagnosed with "reactive hypoglycemia," or low blood sugar, she suffered from seemingly unrelated symptoms outlined in the first chapter of Sugar Shock! The symptoms ranged from mood swings and drowsiness to fainting and nightmares. Her hypoglycemia was finally remedied by simply by eliminating sugars and refined carbohydrates from her diet.
She provides the readers with a "sugar free" shopping list. Products available in just about any grocery store that are absolutely sugar free. She defines the confusing terms used in product labeling such as: reduced sugar, no sugar added, sugar free and clarifies the difference in their meanings.
She also lists sugars and sweeteners to watch for that are "hidden" on food labels and the other names for them such as high fructose corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, and concentrated fruit juice, and concludes that they should be strictly limited or for some people (those who think they might be suffering from Sugar Shock!, eliminated altogether.)
I found this book to be highly informative (especially the sugar free shopping list). Though I enjoy wine occasionally, I have cut virtually all sugar from my diet and have seen major changes for the better.
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