#healthyhair Foods to Eat for Healthy Hair

For girls who are obsessed with their hair, there’s nothing more important than flawless, high-functioning follicles. Yep, you heard that right: your hair's health comes from within! 

How many external damaging agents do our tresses face every day? Think of it: even just the weather can be a bit of a pain when it comes to maintaining hair. Not only is too much sun a bad idea but the wind and rain can seriously dry it out as well.

On top of this, brushing too vigorously, washing too often, and constantly styling with heat will all put your hair on a fast track to disaster. Hey, nobody said that looking great would be easy. There is some good news though. Your hair is a lot more resilient than you might think. And, if you give it the right kind of care, it can pretty much withstand anything. Did you know that the secret to your hair's health is hidden in what you eat?

It turns out that following a healthy diet is an extremely powerful weapon in the fight for healthy hair. There are all sorts of foods that boost repair, healthy growth, and regeneration, so keep reading to find out how you can eat your way to a better hair day.

1. Salmon

Salmon is filled with omega-3 fatty acids and these are a real treat for your hair. They have a unique anti-inflammatory property, which helps to open up the follicles and encourage healthy growth. In fact, if your tresses are constantly drab and you struggle with a dry scalp, you may be suffering from an omega-3 deficiency. Luckily, there are a lot of interesting ways to enjoy a fresh salmon fillet.

2. Spinach

We knew Popeye wasn’t eating all of that spinach just for the muscles. He must have had a pretty impressive mop of hair under his silly blue hat, because this superfood is packed with vitamins B, C, and E. It will also give you a serious boost of calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and omega-3. So, get tucking into spinach on pizzas, in stews and curries, and even in your favorite pasta dishes.

3. Lentils

Vegetarians have been raving about the power of lentils for years. We’re definitely listening now because we’ve just found out how great they are for hair. You can eat these super nutritious, low-fat little miracles in a huge variety of dishes and they’ll take care of your daily zinc requirements. Try adding lentils to salads and soups for a hit of protein that will give you tresses that could rival supermodels like Jourdan Dunn and Suki Waterhouse for shine.

4. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are a really good source of nutrients and one of these substances has a special power! It’s called beta-carotene and the body consumes and converts it into vitamin A. Girls with a Vitamin A deficiency are more likely to battle dry skin and a dry scalp, but feasting on sweet potatoes is an easy way to reverse the problem. Hair that is often dull or lifeless can definitely benefit from a mineral injection, so try incorporating these tasty spuds into your evening meals.

5. Eggs

Eggs can be a real love or hate ingredient, but the good news is that you don’t even have to eat them to feel the benefit. If you can’t stand eggs, whether they’re scrambled, fried, or poached, experiment with an all-natural homemade conditioner. They can be mixed with other hair-boosting foods like avocado or you can apply raw eggs directly to your locks. Just make sure that you rinse your DIY conditioner out thoroughly or you’ll smell pretty weird the next day.

6. Walnuts

If your hair is prone to breakage, you could be seeing signs of a vitamin E deficiency. A lack of this particular mineral causes strands to become brittle and snap when brushed or washed. You can rectify the problem by adding a healthy dose of vitamin E to your diet. You can find this in abundance in the humble walnut. Just a couple of handfuls per day will give your hair a boost and have it look shinier and feel stronger in no time.

7. Berries

Berries are nature's own little miracle. They are packed with a lot of the good stuff, including antioxidants and the all-time famous Vitamin C. What's so great about vitamin C? Well, what if I told you that it aids collagen production and iron absorption, two factors that may promote hair growth?

8. Avocado

How do you like your guacamole? Avocados can be enjoyed in many many ways: from tasty breakfast toasts to the best salsas as a side to your nachos, these awesome fruits are packed with healthy unsaturated fats and vitamin E - responsible for preventing oxidation stress, which could possibly lead to hair loss. Long story short, this is your number one ally when it comes to shielding your scalp!

9. Conclusion:

What you have in your fridge and pantry can not only be incorporated into your delicious brunch next time you have friends over (if you are curious about how to cook your superfood into healthy recipes for your hair, have a look at our 10 Tasty Brunch Ideas To Boost Your Hair's Health blog), but it can also make a great, all-natural hair mask. Feeling creative? Check out these DIY hair mask recipes to give your mane a spa treatment... in your kitchen!

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• #healthyhair 6 Foods to Eat for Healthy Hair