January is the time we tend to look at ourselves from a different perspective.
We think about our health most of all. It’s also a time when many people jump on the latest fad diets which aren’t necessarily healthy. Many of those diets lack the nutrition our body requires to maintain healthy skin and hair. This blog is going to discuss FIVE ESSENTIAL FOODS you should add to your diet to help start the NEW YEAR with healthy hair!
1) LEAN PROTEINS
You may be looking to improve how full your hair looks. Eating lean proteins like turkey and chicken can encourage hair to grow and can help move it out of the rest phase. It’s important to choose lean meats and avoid meats with saturated fats.
2) EGGS!!
Did you know that eggs have biotin in them? Biotin is needed in your body to help convert certain nutrients into energy. It also plays an important role in the health of your hair, skin, and nails. A lack of biotin can lead to hair loss or thinning. Eggs are also an excellent source of protein and iron which are both essential to hair growth. A good sign that you need biotin is to look at your nails. Are they brittle? Try adding more eggs to your diet!
3) SPINACH!
Popeye knew what he was talking about! Spinach really does boost your muscles but did you know that it can also give your hair the healthy boost it needs too? Eating a diet rich with leafy greens can make a difference to your dry, brittle hair. In addition to having vitamin A and iron, it also has folate, vitamin C and beta carotene. Those help give you healthier hair production and a healthier scalp. BONUS, eating spinach can help add more moisture to your hair which aids in avoiding hair breakage. Add more leafy green vegetables to your diet, like kale, collard, cabbage and start the year off right!
4) SWEET POTATOES!
I yam what I yam! (back to Popeye!) Sweet potatoes add more vibrancy and shine to your hair. They’re loaded with antioxidants which help remove toxins from the body’s cells and also help to stimulate health overall. The orange color is signals beta carotene, which is essential for your body’s overall health and can help protect your hair from being dull or dry. Sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkin, squash are among orange foods that will be great to eat to bring back the shine in your hair!
5) FATTY FISH!
We need healthy fats for our brain and our hair. You can get those fats from a variety of sources like avocadoes, eggs, and even dark chocolate!! One of the best sources comes from fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, herring, and sardines. They’re loaded with omega- fatty acids and helps protect your hair from damage and it adds a boost of nutrition to practically every cell in your body. Shoot for eating three or more servings per week of this type of healthy oil!
There are many reasons why your hair may not look as healthy as you’d like. Try a change in your diet and you may see a significant improvement. Your hair is a good barometer of the health within your body. In addition to the 5 suggestions above it is recommended that you remove processed foods from your diet and limit saturated fats. Replacing those with nutrient rich foods and you will be well on your way to having the healthy hair quality you desire.