5 Foods to Eat for Long and Healthy Hair

Eating the right foods can give you the hair of your dreams. With the exception of the rare person with hormonal issues, dietary choices have a huge impact on the quality of our hair, skin, and nails. There are numerous foods that can be added to the diet and several supplements that can be taken to improve the length and luster of your hair.

Fish

Any fish or fish product such as tuna, canned salmon, or canned mackerel is very good for growing healthy hair. Fish are absolutely brimming with nutrients that contribute to hair growth. For example, one can of tuna fish packed in vegetable oil has the following nutritional breakdown relative to hair growth, serving size: 4 ounces; protein: 20 grams; iron: 4% of the daily value

Both protein and iron are necessary building blocks for strong, healthy, and shiny hair. If the idea of eating canned products such as tuna is unappealing, fresh salmon can be purchased at your local grocery store and grilled or baked. There are also pre-seasoned fish steaks available for purchase at most stores.

Chicken and Turkey

Poultry is healthy for your hair for much the same reason fish is, an abundance of hair building protein and iron with a minimum of fat if you shop for the right portions, such as breast meat. One-half of a boneless, skinless chicken breast is going to net the eater 27 grams of protein and 5% of the daily value of iron for only a 142 calorie investment according to Nutrition Data. For the woman who wants healthy hair, a cookbook of inventive and tasty chicken recipes would be a wise investment!

Fish Oil

The woman who does not want to eat fish but who wants to maintain shiny hair can take a daily supplement of fish oil to help their tresses. A fish oil tablet will not carry with it the iron and protein benefits of eating fish, but it will provide heart healthy omega-3s which have also been linked to hair growth! (Organic Facts).

Vitamin A

A USDA survey found that Vitamin A is a common vitamin deficiency in Americans (Healing with Nutrition). Considering that a lack of Vitamin A has been linked to dry hair, women who heat style should be sure to incorporate an ample amount of green leafy vegetables into their diet. One good option for incorporation is spinach which can be mixed with our next power food for a yummy and hair healthy breakfast.

Eggs

Eggs are a wonderful power food for the entire body, and they contain several of the elements needed for healthy hair. One large egg contains 6 grams of protein, 4% of the daily value of iron, and 6% of the recommended daily value of Vitamin A. By mixing a couple of eggs together with a portion of a can of spinach to make Scrambled Spinach & Eggs, a woman can help her hair three different ways!

Strategic eating can do more for helping out your hair long term than any expensive department store hair treatment, and the process is a lot for more satisfying!

Sources:

Nutrition Data: http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/poultry-products/703/2

Organic Facts: http://www.organicfacts.net/organic-animal-products/organic-fish/health-benefits-of-fish-oil.html

Healing with Nutrition: http://www.healingwithnutrition.com/vitamin.html

For further reading:

10 Healthy Powerfoods for Women by Ashley Mott