Tag Archives: health

Scene

Cons Of The Gluten-Free Trend: What To Consider Before Trying It

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Courtney Becker
Contributing Writer

Ever thought about going Gluten-Free? As the trend grows rapidly in the United States, (with the market size increasing from $2.3 billion in 2009 to over $3.16 billion in 2013), it’s important to stop and look at the facts before making the huge decision to give up gluten entirely from your diet. With media portraying a gluten-free trend as a positive and healthy choice, one would think that giving it up would be a wise and health conscious decision, but the truth lies farther than what is shown in today’s popular media. Here is some evidence of why going gluten-free may not be as healthy as it seems. Continue reading Cons Of The Gluten-Free Trend: What To Consider Before Trying It →

Opinion

Frankensalmon: Fresh From the Lab to Your Plate

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Cyrus Gill is a sophomore hospitality management and entrepreneurship and innovation major.
Cyrus Gill is a sophomore hospitality management and entrepreneurship and innovation major.

A swarm of hate mail is piling up at the laboratory of AquaBounty Technologies, who will soon unleash their Frankensalmon into the consumer marketplace. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) is nearing their decision on whether or not to allow genetically modified AquAdvantage Salmon into US stores. According to Friends of the Earth Inc., a network consisting of international and domestic environmental and political organizations, “nearly 2 million people — including scientists, fishermen, business owners, and consumers have written to the FDA opposing the approval of genetically engineered salmon…” These individuals would rather not be the test subjects of AquaBounty’s experiment and I do not blame them.

Continue reading Frankensalmon: Fresh From the Lab to Your Plate →

Scene, Uncategorized

Get Jiggy with Juice: The Hype on Juice Cleansing

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Staff Writer Cora Sivak investigates the hype on juice cleansing

     San Francisco is one of the few cities that are invested in well-being and natural remedies, so you may have heard of the latest health craze – juice cleansing.  Maybe you’ve seen a juice bar around the city, or heard Kim Kardashian raving about her recent cleanse benefits, or have seen the famous juice-advocating documentary “Fat Sick and Nearly Dead.” If you’ve ever wondered what juice cleanses are all about, here are some tips to get you started! A typical juice cleanse entails drinking nothing but specially formulated juices for a certain length of time. Some juicers take on a three-day cleanse,

A great alternative to pre-packaged juice cleanses is going out to your local market and hand picking your preferred fruits and veggies to juice. (Photo: Mia Orantia)
A great alternative to pre-packaged juice cleanses is going out to your local market and hand picking your preferred fruits and veggies to juice.
(Photo: Mia Orantia)

while some juicing extremists go for a 60-day fast. Juicers claim that the cleanse is a great way to clean out your system and give your body a sharp increase in nutrient intake, packing in vitamins and boosting your immune system.To create a well-balanced glass of  juice, you should throw in a diverse mix of fruits and vegetables, with an emphasis on nutrient-packed vegetables like kale, spinach, wheatgrass. Apples, carrots, or beets can provide a sweet base. Throw in some berries, pears or pineapple, and you’ve got yourself an exotic and tasty drink.  Additionally, you can stir in flax or chia seeds to your juice for added health benefits.In this day and age, though, buying the latest Omega juicer isn’t the only way to begin your juicing journey. Aspiring health nuts who may not have the time or budget for a pricy juicer can try out BluePrint juice or San Francisco’s very own Juice Shop, services that deliver ready-made juice straight to your door for a stress-free and manageable cleanse.So, as an avid health junkie, I wanted to see if juice cleanse benefits were fact or fib. I decided to buy a juicer and create my own homemade juice concoctions for three days. People told me I would feel a renewed sense of energy if I could get through the first couple of days, and sure enough, on the third day I began the feel more clear-minded and alert than before. Surprisingly, although it was hard to resist a hot homemade meal, the juice kept me full and satisfied. The best part about the cleanse was that once it was over, I was no longer craving fatty foods like macaroni and ice cream. Instead, I found myself reaching for light, healthy meals packed with wholesome veggies and nutrients!However, not everyone agrees with the philosophy behind juicing. While nutritionists can agree that juicing is a great way to pack in your daily fruits and veggies, they also note that the juicing process extracts one critical element of a good diet: fiber. Other noteworthy drawbacks include a high intake of sugar and a lack of protein.

Experts say there is certainly a right way and a wrong way to do a cleanse. Given the proper research and doctor’s consultation, I give juice cleanses the green light.   If that sounds like too much to handle, try a tall glass of juice as a supplement to your diet. Your body will thank you!

Sports

How Not To Gain the Freshman Fifteen….Without Ever Setting Foot in Koret

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We’ve all heard of the horror that is the Freshman Fifteen, and we all spending some extra time in Koret is usually the best way to fight it off. But what if you hate working out? Never been to the gym in your life? Then these tips are for you!

1. Participate in Intramural Sports

USF offers nine sports in the fall that are open to all students! Not only is it a great way to stay active, it provides an opportunity for you to hang out with friends and even meet fellow students with similar interests.

2. Run up the Lone Mountain Stairs

Give yourself two minutes to conquer all 142 stairs. Best way to ensure that happens every single time? If you have classes up on Lone Mountain, leave your dorm five minutes before your class starts. Heavy backpacks and intimidating professors can be very effective in helping students stay active.

3. Avoid late-night pizza/burger runs to Crossroads

Being 10 feet from the University Center and armed with a copious amount of Flexi makes getting supper incredibly convenient. But is standing in line for over half an hour for a burger really worth it? And you leave smelling like smoke. If you get hungry at night, go for the fruits or yogurt parfaits. You don’t emerge with the lingering smell of smoke in your hair as you’re usually out of there in five minutes and won’t regret having a burger at midnight the next day.

4. Lose your MUNI Pass

Since you are only entitled to one MUNI pass per semester, if you lose it, you’re forced to pay for bus rides. Two dollars for a couple of blocks on the bus? Just put on a pair of comfy walking shoes and power walk your way to your destination! With the way the city is built, you’ll be fit without even trying to be. And chances are, with this cool weather, you won’t even break out in a sweat.

5. Make Flexi work for you

Flexi money isn’t monopoly money. It doesn’t mean you should go around buying chips and ice cream everyday just because you can. Go for the healthier food options like the salad bar. You can even walk up to Lone Mountain and buy food that you can make in the dorm kitchens. Making your own food means that you get to control what goes in it and the portion sizes. If you have friends that don’t have the meal plan, help them out! By sharing, you eat less and accumulate good karma.

Through eating smart and constantly staying active, you should be able to avoid the freshman fifteen without ever having to work out at the gym. If these tips don’t work for you, then maybe it is time to get yourself over to Koret a few times a week…