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Want Pretty Shoes with Less Pain? Try a High Fat Diet

I've never been a shoe horse. Being wide, my feet don't fit into most shoes of the right length. I went barefoot whenever I could as a kid and even now I prefer tennis shoes and flat sandals to ballet flats and stilettos. But tall boots are handy this time of year. I have a pair of Italian leather boots that are a little too long for me and rubbed my heels--until recently. Now, they're as comfortable as socks. Since I hardly ever wore them, it's hard to say when the change happened. But I've also noticed that I can brush hot grease off my skin and forget about it where it would have left a burn before. Several years ago, a grease splatter from a pan of Moroccan chicken left a trail of blisters up my left arm.

I don't have unassailable evidence that a low carb, high fat diet made my skin more resilient, but people on such a diet often find the same thing. Maybe it's better absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A and D and higher intake of zinc that make a difference. It can take awhile. If I remember correctly, it was about a year before I could go outside for long without sunscreen. 

Shopping for shoes today reminded me of this. Granted, I was selective about the shoes I tried on, but everything I could get my hoof into felt great. No, I didn't try on any granola girl hiking sandals.

Comfy as a tennis shoe. Image from Dillards.com.
These don't come in a wide size; they were a quarter-inch too long. Nevertheless, nothing hurt, even with nothing on my heel. 

Speaking of shoes, Stacy London of the TV show What Not to Wear, is (or at least was, as of July this year) embarking on the paleo diet. It sounds like it was a difficult transition for her (as it is for just about everyone); maybe she can start a new show called What Not to Eat.

ETA: I wore these shoes to the office. The sole is fine, but the uppers make these some of the most painful shoes I've ever worn.
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Comments

Galina L. said…
I also have a wide foot. I also noticed it is getting longer as time goes by, or at least I keep buying bigger sizes.
December 30, 2013
tess said…
Interesting observations indeed! I think a superior diet makes us more resilient in a surprising range of ways, too, but never considered the comfort of shoes....
December 30, 2013
Lori Miller said…
My last two pairs have been eights, where I used to take a 7.5
December 30, 2013
Lori Miller said…
It was a happy surprise.
December 30, 2013
Lowcarb team member said…
Good to read your thoughts. A better eating choice and lifestyle offers so many advantages.

For me I now wear lower heeled shoes and comfort is the first consideration ... age brings different choices ... high heels certainly are no longer comfort shoes ... yes they look good ... but COMFORT is King LOL

Happy New Year

All the best Jan
December 31, 2013
Lori Miller said…
This brand (Nurture) has a flexible sole and built-in memory foam and silicon gel, so it's a lot more comfortable than a typical high heel, which I haven't been able to wear for many years.
December 31, 2013
HappinessSavouredHot (Julie Saint-Mleux) said…
A show entitled What not to eat would be amazing! Great idea!
January 03, 2014
Lori Miller said…
Throwing out the bad food and getting better groceries is like What Not to Wear: either taking better care of yourself or realizing what does and doesn't work for you.
January 03, 2014
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