A healthy diet is key to healthy hair and hair growth. So – we thought we’d make the road to happy hair days easier for you with these useful weekly dietary tips!
#1 START THE DAY WITH A GOOD BREAKFAST
It’s here where a proper nutritional boost is most needed – Energy available to your hair follicles is lowest first thing in the morning! Incorporate a mixture of proteins (at least 120g) with any form of complex carbohydrate.
DHD’s Top Breakfast Picks:
Scrambled eggs on whole-wheat toast with sautéed spinach.
Fresh berries with honey and a pot of low fat cottage cheese.
Smoked salmon and sliced tomatoes on a seeded bagel.
Don’t have time for these culinary delights? Prepare some hard-boiled eggs before going to bed to take to work with you. If you have a fridge at your office, keep a stash of breakfast foods to have along with your morning coffee.
#2 STEAKY SATURDAY
Yes – we’ve all heard of meatless Monday, but here at DHD we have Steaky Saturday. A prime opportunity to embrace Sunday roasts and summer BBQ’s. Red meats are your bodies’ best source of iron – a mineral essential for healthy hair growth, and it’s important that you incorporate it into your diet at least once a week to keep your levels sustained. This is especially important if you are menstruating as you lose blood (and therefore iron) during your period. Low iron, or ferritin (stored iron) levels can cause increased hair shedding – and can also make your hair fall out before it reaches its optimum length.
If you are a vegan or vegetarian, nutritional supplements are often needed to maintain healthy iron levels. While iron is present in certain vegetables and dark, leafy greens, it is not as easily absorbed or found in the same amounts.
#3 SNACK (HEALTHILY)
Energy to form hair cells drops 4hrs after eating a meal. Snack on a complex carbohydrate, such as whole meal crackers, fresh fruits, dried apricots, or a fresh fruit/vegetable smoothie, to keep your follicles nourished.
#4 STAY HYDRATED
Drink approximately 1.5-2 litres of water a day depending on your activity level and climate. Your scalp, just like your skin, can become dehydrated.
# 5 ADD MILK TO YOUR TEA
Research has shown that drinking black tea can increase the likelihood of anaemia. If you don’t add milk (preferably skim or semi-skim) to your tea, the tannin is free to bind with iron in your body and can therefore reduce your iron stores.
#6 DON’T SKIP MEALS
As well as being bad for your general health, skipping meals can be especially bad news for your hair. As your hair is not a vital tissue, your body will never prioritise its nutritional needs. Think of it this way – If your essential organs aren’t getting the energy they need to function properly , or are receiving the minimum amount of nutrients, your hair cells certainly won’t be!
If you are experiencing hair loss, see your Trichologist.
