Hands up who has invested in some deep conditioning masques and hair treatments to give your hair a little bit of tlc during the lockdown? While they can hydrate the hair and leave it baby soft, sometimes when it comes to hair health, it has to start on the inside.
Eating a healthy diet is one of the best things you can do for healthy hair and a healthy scalp. If you’re getting all of the vitamins, minerals, protein, and essential fats you need, you’ll have a healthy scalp and you’ll feed your hair follicles; hello, strong, shiny, gorgeous hair!
So what should you eat to keep your hair and scalp healthy? Here are 10 superfoods that should be on your shopping list.
10 superfoods for strong, shiny, healthy hair
1. Chia seeds
Chia seeds are packed with omega-3 fatty acids as well as calcium and protein which encourage strong healthy hair growth. Add a spoonful to a healthy smoothie in the morning.
2. Walnuts
Many of us lack protein in our diets, especially when we’re cutting calories. If you don’t eat enough protein, you can end up with dry, brittle hair. Protein is vital for healthy hair growth and walnuts are a really good source. They also contain vitamin E and plenty of healthy fats.
3. Spinach
Spinach is full of iron and vitamins A and C which are needed for healthy hair, skin, and nails. If you want your hair to grow, add a handful of spinach to a smoothie.
4. Dark Chocolate
Yay to the fact that chocolate is on this list! Dark chocolate, eaten in moderation, is better than milk chocolate as it contains antioxidants that increase the circulation to the scalp and protect the hair from damage from UV rays and pollution. Opt for chocolate that’s at least 70% cocoa and have no more than two squares per day to get the beauty benefits without the added fat and sugar.
5. Salmon
Salmon is super healthy and versatile for light lunches on warmer days. Its protein, vitamin D, and omega-3 content makes it a must for shiny, healthy hair.
6. Eggs
If your hair looks lacklustre and it won’t grow, you need to get more eggs into your diet. Eggs are packed with iron and the vitamin biotin, which supercharges hair growth.
7. Coconut oil
You might have slathered coconut oil on your hair, but did you know it can help with strong healthy hair growth if you include it in your diet as well? It contains fatty acids that can help hair grow, so get cooking with it in place of other cooking oils.
8. Wholegrains
If you are fed up with being told carbs are evil, you’ll be delighted to hear that the wholegrain varieties of pasta and bread are great for your hair. They are full of the B-vitamin biotin which prevents hair breakage and helps it grow, and zinc, which is needed for a healthy scalp.
9. Green tea
Do you have a dry, flaky scalp? Green tea is a good source of vitamin A which helps stimulate production of the scalp’s natural oils. Replace one or two of your usual cuppas with green tea each day and you’ll soon see the difference.
10. Blueberries
Blueberries are one of the most well-known superfoods. They are packed with vitamin C which improves circulation to the scalp and keeps the blood vessels that support the hair follicles healthy.
Hopefully, it won’t be long until I can open the doors and see you again, but in the meantime, work on keeping your hair and scalp healthy and fill up your trolleys with some hair-loving superfoods!
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