the current
Oct. 11, 2013
Health & Fitness 19
Health & fitness How walking barefoot is good for you By Nicole Zavala Staff Writer A common occurrence you’ll probably see on campus is people walking barefoot. Maybe you’re one of the many participating in this trend. Maybe you’re one of the shoebies who think those people are crazy. Whatever the case may be, most people don’t know about the risks and benefits there are to being barefoot. To point out this apparently surprising fact, humans were built to walk barefoot: our toes are designed to grip and spread as the ground lay before us. The balls of our feet have evolved to take the shock off of our step and our arches are made to provide natural support. Shoes take away the function of our toes and change our Many students walk barefoot around campus. gait, causing pain and weakening the foot Even if you’re flat-footed, walking barefoot muscles, which make injuries more likely. shouldn’t hurt and should actually feel good. However, walking around barefoot strengthens those muscles and makes it less Feet, just like our hands, are sensory organs. likely that you hurt yourself and prevent- After all, who doesn’t like running their hands ing future injuries that shoes tend to cause. through cool, soft grass? The bottoms of your So why do we have so many podiatrists (foot feet have particularly thick skin because feet doctors) like Dr. Scholl’s telling us we need gel were made to walk over a variety of surfaces. Walking barefoot continues to toughen the arch supports and special shoes when we walk? I’m sure the media and advertis- soles of your feet and shouldn’t cause blisters ing has something to do with it, but un- unless you’re doing some heavy duty walking. less you have blisters, tendinitis in your Strolling in your bare feet is betfeet or strains in your lower legs, you ter for your posture, and back and should be completely fine walking with neck pain may be reduced as well. regular shoes—or better yet, barefoot. When you make a step while barefoot,
photo by Cypress Hansen
don’t rely on your heel for the brunt of your weight; shift your weight off of your heel onto the balls of your feet to prevent any pain. Also, to prevent cracking in your skin when walking au naturel, just make sure to moisturize your soles with something oil-based (like coconut oil) and file your heels with pumice occasionally. Nowadays, there’s always going to be the chance that you’ll step on something that will hurt your foot, but at Eckerd, there is an avid no glass bottles policy. Hopefully your peers comply with this rule, but another simple way to avoid any sharp objects is to watch where you’re going.
From the iPod of Simon Scheidegger
Facts, myths about eating gluten-free By Leif Flor Staff Writer
several vitamins and minerals. For this reason, omitting gluten-containing foods can often create a deficiency in crucial nutrients, specifically B vitamins, iron and fiber. This means it’s crucial for those who avoid wheat to find alternative sources for these nutrients. Quinoa, amaranth and millet are whole grains that are often used as a replacement for gluten-containing wheat products. They are less commonly found and a little pricier than wheat, but their nutrient content allows those who are sensitive to gluten to keep their body functioning properly without the consumption of gluten. One of the most common myths about the gluten-free diet is that by switching over, you’ll lose weight. Although some people may have experienced this as a result of going gluten-free, this is not always the case. What is really making the difference is avoiding high calorie foods such as most pastas, processed foods and pastries. However, more and more gluten-free options of these high calorie foods are becoming available. Gluten-free foods can also contain high levels of saturated fats and cholesterol. So if you were thinking about switching to a glutenfree diet in order to lose weight, think again and try lowering your fat and calorie intake.
More and more advertising of glutenfree products can be seen in grocery stores, health food stores and even our own cafeteria here on campus. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye and several whole grain foods that we reach for every day. For those who have celiac disease, the body will react with antibodies as an immune response to gluten. Gut inflammation, diarrhea, anemia, bone pain and skin rashes are some of the symptoms that could indicate celiac disease. Fortunately celiac disease is quite rare in the U.S. and most likely won’t be the diagnosis for you. Gluten sensitivity, however, is much more common than celiac disease. It’s less severe than celiac disease, but it can still cause abdominal pain, gut inflammation and digestive issues. For many people, cutting gluten out of their diet is a must. Junior Cat Pappas, a yoga instructor on campus, has to completely omit gluten out of her diet. “It’s very difficult to stay away from gluten products. Even some protein powders have a gluten in them.” When asked about how well she thinks Café Bon Appetit is doing with providing gluten free options, she explained that the options are fairly limited and don’t make up for the vitamins that are lost when going on a glutenfree diet. She’s even more limited at the Triton’s Pub, where salads, cheese and fruit are pretty much her only options due to cross contamination that occurs on the grill. On its own, gluten itself isn’t very nutritious, but the foods that it’s found in, such as wheat, contain The main cafe has a new gluten free section.
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photo by Linsey Kromer
By Nicole Zavala Contributing Writer It is common to have disagreements with your partner and some of them will arise because of a close friendship that they have with someone else. It is often difficult to decipher someone else’s intentions, no matter what kind of relationship you’re in. However, it’s more important to trust him or her than another person involved. Here are some tips to get rid of that bad feeling and make the green monster go away. To begin with, you shouldn’t be in a romantic relationship with someone you cannot trust. Communication is critical with any kind of relationship, and if you or your partner cannot come to an agreement about honesty, then you really shouldn’t be together. Now, there’s always moments when jealousy takes over and you have second thoughts about your partner’s best friend. That person may possibly be attractive and it scares the crap out of you when your partner starts spending more time with this person than you. It’s important to make your expectations for the relationship clear as well as your expectations for your partner’s friend. Any kind of past relationship or present feelings should be discussed and the importance of this person’s friendship should be explained. If you haven’t already tried to make friends with this person, then attempt to. If it’s not possible to get to know the other person and become friends, then it’s essential to compromise; figure out an agreement that
you and your partner are fine with. Also, make sure your partner makes it clear to his or her friend that you’re the only lover in the scene. Even if the friend claims they are a “social person,” excessive touching can give the wrong idea to both parties and can cause your relationship to be strained. Any kind of physical contact shouldn’t be overly affectionate, and your partner should make that clear to their friend. This doesn’t mean that they don’t value the friendship; it’s a matter of respect and understanding between a friendship and a romantic relationship. Your partner’s friend needs to realize where the line is drawn. However, if your lover had this friend before you and your partner had been platonically affectionate with them, it’s not your place to control their friendship. You should also make it known that it makes you uncomfortable, but don’t force them to change their behavior because you’re in the picture. Neither of you change what happened in the past and it’s best for the both of you to move on. Finally, remember your lover is with you for a myriad of reasons rather than someone else. Remind yourself of that fact whenever you feel distressed or insecure about someone else in your partner’s life. Respect their friends and graciously make it known that you expect the same. If you can’t trust your partner, then you should examine your relationship closely. Otherwise, I hope a friendship can bloom with your friends and your partner’s friends and a happy relationship can blossom between you and your partner.