Strong, lustrous locks are the desire of every woman, and you only need to see the expense of shampoos, conditioners and serums to see the extent they’ll go to to achieve it. After a while though, shampoos can only go so far. Your diet is the best way to create stronger and more beautiful hair, by providing it with the nutrients it needs to grow stronger from within. A well balanced diet can provide these vitamins and minerals to develop luscious, enviable hair. Supplements can sometimes backfire as they don’t really give you everything that you need. The following foods could be just the ticket though, as well as providing the rest of your body with a boost as well.
Green vegetables
Green, leafy vegetables are fantastic sources of vitamins A and C, which helps your body to produce sebum for shiny and healthy hair. They also provide the body with iron and calcium, which are beneficial to the body. You can include broccoli, spinach, cabbage and lettuce for your daily dose of these nutrients. Spinach, in particular, is great for your hair. It’s nutritional profile includes vitamins E and B6, carotene and folates. The iron in this vegetable can help the body to carry oxygen around the body, and to the hair, and works especially well when consumed with vitamin C.
Beans
Legumes are the way forward if you’re trying to improve the condition of your hair. All varieties of beans are good for you, providing fibre, vitamins and iron. Biotin can also be found in them and this is perfect for people who have brittle hair. They can be eaten on their own, in soups and stews, or mashed as a tasty alternative to regular potato mash.
Dairy products
Dairy produce such as milk, cheese and yoghurt provide calcium which is vital for your hair health. However, in order to be good for your health they need to be low in fat. Dairy also offers casein which is high in protein, to build your strength. Try eating a yoghurt or some cottage cheese as a snack instead of some crisps for a healthier choice, both for your wellbeing in general and your hair.
Salmon
Any food item which contains omega-3 fatty acids can be considered a great move for your health and your hair. Salmon is one such ingredient which is considered the holy grail in the beauty world – these essential oils are great for your health, keep your skin supple and boost your hair’s lustre. This delicious food also includes iron and vitamin B12 which supports the health of your hair and scalp. If you’re vegetarian or simply don’t eat fish, you can substitute this for a few tablespoons of flax seeds over your salad or as a snack for your dose of omega oils.
Eggs
Eggs are rich in protein and as such as brilliant for your hair. The proteins in eggs are easily digested by the body, so you’ll get the benefit early on – they also have vitamin B12, B2, iron and folates in them for even more benefits to your health. Try substituting your cereal a few times a week for a filling egg breakfast. Try to avoid fatty fried eggs though, as this will outweigh the benefits of the eggs themselves.
Poultry
Turkey and chicken are lean meats, so you can benefit from the high quantities of protein without worrying about the fat. They also provide iron which has a high degree of bio-availability, meaning that you body will get the rewards of these ingredients immediately.