What to Eat In-between Infrared Sessions
Hooray! You are just beginning your infrared wellness journey. Go you! Once you’ve started participating in sessions you’ll most likely notice that you need to consume WAY more water than ever before (don’t worry, it’s good for you) and your eating habits may also feel like they need a transformation. Besides the fact that food tastes good, the nutrients you consume affect how your body functions, feels, and looks. What should you be eating in between sessions to see the best infrared results? Selecting the best foods and meals for your body is crucial, and can not only make a difference in your session results but in your overall health as well. Infrared sessions are not just for those looking to lose weight, in fact, that is a pretty common misconception. Since we know that people all over the world are employing infrared heat in different ways we thought we’d share some of the foods that can assist with the benefits infrared sessions provide. We’ve put together what we like to a call a “benefit-paring” if you will, you know, like wine and cheese.
Detoxification
Detoxification can happen daily, why let the toxins build up? There are many popular detox teas and juice cleanses out there, but for the sake of this blog we’re talking straight up sustenance. Foods like lemons (or lemon water), green tea and garlic may already be in your kitchen just waiting for you to eat them. Lemon water each morning can help the body detox, burn fat and aid with digestion. Garlic can fight off built up free radicals and green tea can speed up liver activity.
Weight Loss
You knew that we’d have some suggestions here, right? Items like eggs, leafy greens, salmon, lean meats, cruciferous vegetables, nuts, some whole grains, veggies and fruit are all popular recommendations for those on the road to fitness. It’s best to eat natural foods, honing in on the ones you notice make you feel good. “But, even after I eat these so-called healthy things, I feel bloated,” you say. Good point. There are also healthy foods that make you bloat, and while this isn’t necessarily a “bad-for-you” type of bloating it is something to take note of. Kale, broccoli, cabbage, beans, lentils, soybeans and peas are some of the culprits. These delicious and healthy foods can still be consumed, just know that some people may experience temporary bloating. No biggie. There are also tasty morsels that relieve bloating. Similar to an under-the-eye puffiness treatment, cucumbers can do something comparable in your stomach. Switch out sugary beverages for a glass of cucumber water. Hydrate and reduce belly swelling at the same time! Bananas are rich in potassium (like avocados, oranges, and pistachios) and they are known for regulating sodium levels. This can prevent water retention, constipation and bloating. Yogurt with active cultures can regulate digestion and ginger, a natural anti-inflammatory that can help to relax the digestive tract.
Skin Rejuvenation
Food that promotes anti-aging and smooth, soft, clear skin? You betcha’! Fruits like Strawberries contain more vitamin C per serving than oranges and vitamin C is great for fighting wrinkles. Olive oil is a staple in the Mediterranean diet for a reason, it contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Relaxation
What you consume could also have an effect on your mood. Green tea (yup, it’s back!) containsL-Theanine to induce a relaxed, yet alert state. A spoonful of… honey, may help with anxiety, pain relief and it even has antibacterial properties.
FIT TIP: Feeling stressed? Sip some soothing tea and take a few deep breaths while you’re at it.
Pain Relief
Although we may forget, foods have healing properties too! Along with providing antioxidants, cherries can be eaten to reduce arthritis or muscle pain. Ingesting mint leaves can reduce headaches and turmeric, a spice, has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties and help with achy joints. The foods listed above are just a “taste” of all the wonderful healthy options out there. Are these the only things you can eat in between your infrared sessions? Of course not. Will you still see results without changing your diet? Yes, you undeniably can. We just thought we’d point out that when you look at food for its nutritional value and wellness benefits it can create a positive shift in your life and your infrared body wrap session results. Learning to cook super healthy meals can be fun and rewarding, here are a few recipes that you can make at home!
Recipes:
- Detox – Lemon Garlic Fish by Budget Bytes
- Weight Loss & Relaxation – Honey Grapefruit with Banana by Health.com
- Skin Rejuvenation – Recipes Featuring Olive Oil from She Knows
- Pain Relief – Curried Chicken Sandwich by Bon Appétit
Sources:
- Kris Gunnars, BSc. “The 20 Most Weight Loss Friendly Foods On The Planet”. Authority Nutrition. N.p., 2014. Web.
- “10 Healing Foods That Fight Pain Naturally”. Prevention. N.p., 2014. Web.
- “Anxiety And Honey”. LIVESTRONG.COM. N.p., 2016. Web.
- Foley, Michele and Michele Foley. “10 Natural Ways To Help Detoxify The Body”. POPSUGAR Fitness. N.p., 2016. Web.