5 min read

Between busy schedules and fast-paced lifestyles, maintaining healthy natural hair is often pushed lower on our list of priorities. Pollution adds a great deal of damage to our natural hair. When paired with less than stellar attention to hair health and diet, it often results in dry, brittle damaged hair.

We all want a crown that is full, strong and shiny. While paying attention to scalp health is an important part of caring for natural hair, your diet is equally critical for maintaining strong roots and encouraging growth.

Your hair is made up of cells that are loaded with a protein called keratin and these are the cells that you need to pamper with vitamins and minerals for healthy hair. Instead of constantly resorting to cutting your hair to stay ahead of breakage, we have some healthy suggestions for spring snacks that will make your natural hair stronger and longer over time.

Eat Your Proteins

For healthy strong hair, the most important component in your diet should be protein. It’s important to make sure you are consuming an adequate amount daily to maintain healthy hair, and encourage growth. That doesn’t mean you have to eat a steak every day or ruin your figure by eating unflattering foods.  Some hair healthy and figure friendly proteins options are:

Whole Eggs

Eggs are great sources for proteins. They contain high amounts of Vitamin B, which increases blood flow to the scalp, as well as omega-3 fatty acids which encourage hair growth. 

Salmon

Salmon is considered a hair superfood for those who want longer and stronger hair. This fish is full of omega-3’s, vitamin D, and of course proteins. The fats that are in salmon give your hair extra volume and shine, while also being figure friendly. 

Turkey

Turkey is a great option for those who want the benefits of heart and hair healthy proteins without having to worry about putting on extra weight. Turkey can be added to your salad, grilled for dinner, or sliced into a sandwich for your lunch.  This super protein will promote energy, boost your hair growth and give your hair that extra thickness you have been craving.

Edamame

Edamame is a super vegetable that is jam-packed with proteins and a great option for those vegetarians who want to promote healthy hair growth and maintain an illustrious sheen. It contains all the benefits of chicken, without the feathers, and you can eat them raw, steamed, seared or even in a soup!

Get More Iron

Essential minerals are important for many things in your body including hair health. Iron is one of the most important minerals for healthy hair. Those suffering from various forms of hair loss often are iron deficient, so boosting your iron intake will strengthen your roots and make your strands and follicles stronger. Here are a few spring foods that are rich in iron that will boost your hair health and naturally increase your energy in the process.

Avocados

This is a veggie that is full of iron in the form of natural copper. It’s great for your hair and for your skin thanks to its ability to increase elastin and collagen production in the skin. Elastin is what holds your hair follicles in place, which means healthy roots and healthy hair. Collagen increases the shine and longevity of your hair, which means you will get a shinier finish and thicker strands over time. Both keep your skin looking younger while also helping you retain moisture.

Spinach

For longer, more luscious and stronger hair, leafy greens are a must in your daily diet. Spinach is a great spring veggie that is full of iron and other vitamins that promote healthy roots and strong follicles. It’s also great for your figure and your digestion, so add some greens to your daily routine and watch your hair transform.

Try Assorted Vitamins

Keratin is essential for stronger hair, and vitamin C is a must for increasing the health of your follicles and hair shafts. Vitamin A increases the natural luster of your hair and aids in improved scalp health, while biotin promotes hair growth and volume. Vitamin E is well known for being a staple supporting element for hair and nails. Though you could take a multi-vitamin to get all of these at once, the body absorbs and breaks down these essential vitamins through food much more efficiently. Here are some tasty spring ideas to help you get your daily dose from A-Z.

Bell Peppers

These hardy vegetables are full of vitamin C, but low on acid, unlike oranges. You can eat them raw, dip them in ranch dressing, add them to your salad or even grill them with chicken for a healthy hair boosting meal.

Fresh Sweet Potatoes

The orange spuds are full of high amounts of vitamin A which is essential in sebum production- that’s what makes your natural hair shine. The beta-carotene in these root vegetables promote scalp health and they are also healthy carbs so it is certainly a waistline-friendly food.

Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeks are a great snack that is high in keratin and zinc. Both help reduce and prevent dandruff as well as maintain a vibrant natural hair color.

Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower seeds are probably already on your list of snacks, and that’s a good thing! Sunflower seeds are full of vitamin E which helps keep your hair safe from sun damage and also helps to repair damaged hair tissue. Since vitamin E also increase blood flow to the scalp, it naturally will encourage hair growth.

If you are a natural hair diva, or if you just want to revitalize your hair, these spring snacks are the perfect way to get your luscious locks back on track for a fresh healthy start.