" On the one hand, I'm entertained by this playful, provocative Napa Valley Register op ed piece about the nutrient-lacking "Newsroom Diet," which ran on Sun., April 15, 2007. While I found the column amusing, I also found it rather sad to think about the kinds of sugary, nutrient-deficient foods that reporters, editors and columnists often consume at newsrooms across America. Alas, I'm quite familiar with this "special combination of idleness and nutrient-free office cuisine that fuels some of the finest print journalists in this land." You see, I've been there. Indeed, this op ed piece brings back many memories. Oh goodness, I well remember the candies, cookies, cakes and pizza that I used to consume while working as a staff reporter/columnist or reporting intern at several different newsrooms in various states. But nowadays, I'm much more nutrition savvy and health minded. Today, I would never ever put into my mouth the sugary foods that I once used to eagerly over-consume. (Of course, it took being besieged by symptoms such as brain fog, fatigue and heart palpitations to motivate me to quit sugar and eat better.) I'm actually writing to offer some encouragement and inspiration to the writer of this column and to your other sugar-focused staffers. If you start to eat higher quality foods, the benefits are tremendous. Take me, for instance. Because I quit sugar and refined carbs and eat more healthily now, I can concentrate better and for longer periods of time; I have more consistent energy levels; I'm much happier and more cheerful; and I just feel better all around. (In fact, all of my dreaded symptoms disappeared after kicking sugar and refined carbs.) It's obvious: At least a few of your Napa Valley Register reporters are like many journalists. They don't give much thought -- as I once didn't -- to the fact that what you eat not only affects your weight, but also your moods, concentration and energy levels -- all vitally important for a journalist frequently faced with pressing deadlines. I'd be happy to enlighten your staffers to the many health hazards, as well as emotional ramifications, that can come from over-consuming sugary, fatty foods. In fact, I'd be happy to give the writer of this op ed piece and a couple of other staffers complimentary copies of my book SUGAR SHOCK! (Berkley Books, 2007). My goal would be to wake up your staffers to the dangers of eating sugary foods and to offer tips and tactics to help them break free. (Look for copies of my book to come in the mail.) By the way, I posted some comments about "The Newsroom Diet" column on my SUGAR SHOCK! Blog. All the best to your staff. I do hope that they take my words to heart. While I can appreciate the entertainment value of laughing at how badly you eat, consuming these foods can make your life miserable. But I bring your staffers and readers hope, because eating high-quality foods can banish or cut back on depression, mood swings, excess weight, anxiety, etc. Quitting those culprit carbs, losing weight and exercising may even prevent insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, cancer and heart disease. Oh, and you'll like this one added benefit. Eating better may even boost your libido. Sincerely, Connie Author, SUGAR SHOCK! (Berkley Books, 2007) Creator, SUGAR SHOCK! Blog "

" I just saw that this piece was not un-bylined, as I had previously thought. So if you run my item (just posted), I'd appreciate your making that minor change and adding Bill Kisliuk's name. Thank you. "