Did you know that your diet can impact your hair? While it is easy to think that food choices only impact physical and mental health, they actually can affect the health of hair, too. The good news is that with the right diet, you can make your healthier than it’s ever been.
Keep reading to learn how you can build the perfect diet for healthy hair!
Avoid Processed Food
Processed food isn’t healthy for any part of your body, so it’s wise to leave it off your next grocery list. While it’s okay to splurge every so often on a bag of potato chips or a frozen pizza, try to limit how often you’re including these foods in your weekly meal planning.
Processed foods tend to be very low on nutrients, so they won’t provide any help for your hair — just empty calories. If you’re concerned about thinning hair or you’ve noticed your hair feels limp and dry, it could be because your diet contains too many of these useless calories.
Make your food work for you. Aim to choose foods high in vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial ingredients instead of the unhealthy stuff.
Start Your Day by Helping Your Hair
When it comes to healthy hair tips, an easy one is to start your day off on the right foot. One good option is to begin with a bowl of oatmeal and milk each morning. This powerful combination contains omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and iron, all of which will contribute to a healthier head of hair.
And if you prefer a bowl of cold cereal to warm oatmeal, you still can do some good work for your hair by making that choice. Just be sure to reach for whole-grain cereals loaded with iron and nutrients rather than the highly-processed options.
Another strong breakfast choice? Choose Greek yogurt. Yogurt contains vitamin B5, which will fortify your hair. Toss some berries on top or a sliced banana, and you’ll have a meal that helps strengthen your hair.
Load Up on Omega-3s
Omega-3 fatty acids provide a huge benefit to your hair health, too. They can cut down on inflammation so your hair stays healthy throughout the day. The main benefit is that foods containing omega-3s can keep your scalp from getting dry — but they’ll benefit your skin and heart, too!
Look for ways to integrate foods containing omega-3s into your diet. Since these foods taste delicious, it shouldn’t be a difficult change to make! Reach for trout or salmon as your protein of choice at dinner, and mix some walnuts into your next salad.
You can find smaller ways to introduce omega-3 fatty acids, as well. Add some chia seeds to your yogurt or cereal for another simple way to enrich your diet. And you can find omega-3 fatty acids in CBD oil for hair, which can help give you a healthier scalp — and ultimately healthier hair!
Don’t Overlook Iron
Minerals like iron are important for a healthy head of hair. But if you’re not careful about including iron-rich foods in your diet, you’ll pay the price. Not only can iron deficiency make you feel weak, but it can also thin your hair.
Aim to include food like red meat, beans, leafy greens, peas, chickpeas, and iron-fortified bread and cereal. Since red meat is high in saturated fat and can harm your health if you eat too much, try to limit your consumption. Lentils and soybeans are a good substitution that still will give you a helping of iron.
It’s easy to upgrade to a diet that contains plenty of iron. Make your midday meal a salad of spinach and chickpeas, with a sprinkling of nuts on top. You’ll benefit your heart health as well as your hair in the process!
A Diet for Healthy Hair Must Include Vitamin-rich Foods
When in doubt, look for natural foods rich in vitamins to round out your diet. Blueberries, for instance, are a great vitamin-rich choice and would pair perfectly for oatmeal or cereal in the mornings. These powerful berries contain proanthocyanidins, which help to promote new hair growth!
Foods high in folic acid are another good choice for your diet. They can help nurture hair growth and even reduce premature graying. Reach for citrus, nuts, and greens such as arugula, spinach, and kale to ensure that you’re getting enough folic acid in your diet.
And as the perfect side dish, prepare some sweet potatoes. Not only do they taste wonderful, but they also contain beta carotene, which eventually becomes vitamin A in your body. If your hair is feeling is flat and lifeless, add some vitamin A to your diet for a glossier head of hair.
Stay Hydrated
Still wondering how to have healthy hair? One of the easiest dietary changes that you can make is to add more water to your routine. The average person should be drinking around eight 8-ounce containers of water to function properly.
If you’re not meeting that minimum, your hair may be paying the price. Dry hair could be a result of dehydration. As a solution, purchase a water bottle to carry with you to work or school so you’re always able to get the water that you need!
Get Healthier Hair
A diet for healthy hair is within reach. With a few changes to your daily menu, you can start to notice stronger, more luminous hair. Make the effort to fill your refrigerator and pantry with foods rich in vitamins and minerals, and drink plenty of water.
When you’re ready to find fresh tips to lead a healthier lifestyle, check back for more great articles!