Haircare is a $90 billion industry. People of all races, nationalities, and backgrounds flock to products and equipment that promise beautiful hair.
But one thing the haircare industry commonly overlooks is a healthy hair diet. What you eat determines how well your body produces and maintains a healthy head of hair.
Take a look at this list of meal planning tips to help you nourish your hair. Here are the best foods for healthy hair.
Vegan
Vegan diets are constantly under criticism for not providing the vitals the body needs. One of the biggest criticisms of veganism is that it doesn't provide the protein your body needs.
This is a major issue for your hair because it's mostly made of protein. So, does this mean all vegans have to suffer through limp, dry hair?
Not at all. Vegan diets only contain a lack of protein when there's poor planning.
There is a wide range of plant-based foods that are protein-rich. These and other vegan foods are awesome for haircare.
Here are a few foods to add to your diet when you're looking to boost hair health.
Algal Oil
One rare item you can add to your diet is the omega-3 rich Algal oil. It comes from algae and can be used as a cooking oil. The flavor is light making it a great option for all types of vegetables.
Its main benefit is promoting hair growth by providing much-needed nourishment to each follicle of hair. This means you'll experience longer hair because the body won't suffer from as much inflammation.
Algal oil is also a good source of iodine which is needed to support a healthy thyroid.
Hemp
This isn't the sexiest vegan supplement on the market, but hemp seeds can work wonders for your hair health. Eat them breakfast, lunch, or dinner on your favorite meals.
Add color to oatmeal or a little texture to your homemade crackers. Hemp is amazing because it's filled with just the right protein blend.
Your hair will get a good dose of Vitamin E, Zinc vitamins, too. This means a healthy scalp for years to come.
Almond Products
Just when you thought almond milk was just another food fad, you learn that your hair could use a daily dose for good health. The top ingredients in almonds are vitamin E and magnesium.
These are both must-haves when it comes to making sure each strand of your hair remains in top shape. Magnesium helps you avoid any calcification on the scalp as well.
Add almond milk to your oatmeal or toast almonds in the oven to add to a salad. Blended frozen bananas with toasted vegan marshmallows and almonds make for a delicious treat after a long workday.
Almonds are versatile so don't limit yourself to eating them only one or two ways. You'll be pleasantly surprised to find them in your pantry when at a loss for what to cook.
Vegetarian
Skipping out on meat doesn't mean you're leaving behind a host of opportunities for nutrient-rich meals. Like veganism, eating vegetarian meals does come with its fair share of limitations.
But you're not in the game to win a popularity contest. You can have your vegetarian cake and eat it, too.
Try these foods to help boost your hair healthy when you notice it's getting dull.
Tangerines
Tangerines are everything when it comes to hair care. They're rich in Vitamin C so your body can absorb the iron it takes from all those dark leafy greens in your diet.
Want to lose hair? Avoid eating enough iron.
The same can be said for poor iron absorption. Your body can't easily take in all the iron from your foods or supplements. There are other foods that help the iron get absorbed like fruits that contain lots of vitamin C.
So keep your healthy daily dose of tangerines and oranges in rotation so you can support the distribution of iron throughout your blood.
Whey Protein
Your green smoothies can get pumped with protein every morning and leave you looking fabulous in the meantime. Whey protein is a type of dairy protein that's perfect for the vegetarian diet.
It helps you boost your protein without having to introduce too many new foods into your diet. You can stick to your mealtime favorites and only add a green shake in the morning to get you going.
Look for whey protein at your local vitamin store or health food store. It's flavorless so you don't have to worry about pairing it with certain fruits or greens.
Avoid heavily processed varieties as you might end up with an unexpected texture. Whey protein is light, fluffy, and should only add a gentle creaminess to your food.
Beans
You need more beans in your life. They're a great source of biotin and the reason you should be pumping up your protein right away.
Biotin isn't just amazing for your hair. It supports your hair, skin, and nails just like you get from a hair multivitamin.
The National Institute of Health recommends all adults take Biotin supplements to make sure their hair is in tip-top shape. You won't find Biotin in many foods, but if you eat black beans, chickpeas or lentils you'll be set.
These are easy sources of Biotin that can be added to a soup, burrito, or rice bowl any day of the week. Turn your beans into a burger if you're tired of the same meal night after night.
A hearty black bean burger with a side of potato wedges upgrades dinner to the next level.
Carnivores
Carnivores get a bad rap. It's assumed that if you eat meat, that's basically all you think about when it comes to meal planning.
But this couldn't be farther from the truth. People who eat meat are usually open to just about anything delicious.
In addition to foods for vegans and vegetarians, people who eat meat should also focus on the following foods for healthy hair.
Salmon
There are no bounds to the wonders of salmon. This food is perfect for just about everything from brain health, to stress regulation to hair health.
If you're looking for a natural way to reverse aging, try salmon. The potent, nutrient-rich fish contains Omega-3s which has been known to help reduce male pattern baldness.
Aim to get this pink fish into your diet a few times each month. It's rich in vitamin D and collagen both of which work wonders for your skin health.
You'll experience a healthier scalp as your skin absorbs the wonderful effects of eating salmon. Try salmon grilled or broiled in the oven if you like crispier skin.
Salmon is one of the few types of fish that has its own flavor. You won't need heavy marinades in order to bring a flavor to a salmon-centered dish.
It tastes great with brown sugar marinades as well as garlic butter marinades depending on whether you prefer salty or sweet. Avoid overcooking salmon because the texture gets somewhat dry.
Liver
Most adults have a traumatic childhood experience to share if they've ever eaten liver. Liver is basically iron masquerading as edible meat.
It's never going to be a child's favorite but you can certainly step up your liver game by sauteeing it with shallots in a brown sauce marinade. Because of its harsh flavor, you'll want to marinate your liver for at least a few hours before cooking.
This gives you more control over the outcome of the dish. But there aren't many flavors needed because liver will mostly do what it wants anyway in terms of taste.
But it'll keep your hair healthy, strong, and shiny.
Oysters
Foodies, you finally have a health reason to justify your love of oysters. They're not a favorite of everyone because the texture isn't easy to digest.
But raw and cooked oysters have their place in the haircare universe. Oysters are a hotspot for Zinc.
Zinc deficiencies are the cause behind hair falling out prematurely. If you notice more than a few strands in the sink when styling your hair, it might be time to hit the oyster bar.
People often eat raw oysters on ice. This isn't the easiest thing to prepare at home unless your food safety game is top-notch.
If you're preparing oysters at home, try lightly frying them and serving with a lemon pepper dipping sauce. These are best paired with lightly steamed vegetables.
Building Up a Healthy Hair Diet
A healthy hair diet isn't just for a certain type of lifestyle. No matter whether you love meat or love plants, you'll find solutions for keeping your hair healthy on both ends of the spectrum.
Keep a healthy mix of greens and meats so you don't miss an opportunity for your food to work together for the best outcome. For example, vitamin C in an orange can make the iron from your liver that much more effective.
Food harmony is the key. For more information and lifestyle tips, visit our blog for updates.
