Do you often feel overwhelmed when you visit the store to buy a hair care product and are bombarded with tons of different options? Don’t worry we feel the same, which is why we think hair care starts with good nutrition, and the products are a bonus! The best advice for using products is to make sure you choose those that are both chemical and fragrance-free. 

A Few Benefits of Natural Hair Care

Not only are natural hair care products sustainable, free from harmful chemicals, kinder to the planet and better for your hair. When it comes to the right nutrition and foods, we can help you with that. This article will discuss some of the best foods that have been recommended by dieticians to those who are looking for fuller, thicker and healthier hair.

It also helps to protect the health of your scalp. Harmful chemicals like alcohol and sulfates can do more harm than good to your scalp. It can also irritate your scalp and using those products made from natural oils is a better solution. 

Some of the harsh chemicals besides alcohol and fragrances, you should be looking out for when buying your products include:

  • Parabens
  • Polyethylene Glycols (PEG)
  • Sulfates
  • Formaldehyde
  • Retinyl palmitate
  • Phthalates
  • Dimethicone
  • Triclosan

If in doubt, ask your hairdresser for products that they can recommend.

The Best Vitamins for Healthy hair

According to this Forbes article, the best vitamins for all three hair, nails and skin include:

  • B-complex vitamins
  • Iron
  • Omega-3 fatty acids
  • Proteins
  • Fat-soluble vitamins
  • Biotin
  • Vitamin C
  • Keratin
  • Vitamin A
  • zinc

The best foods include:

Eggs 

High in vitamin D, A, and B12. It is advised to eat both the yolk and the white of the egg to get the most out of it. There are also two types of carotenoids found in eggs, namely zeaxanthin and lutein.  These are essential in maintaining healthy skin, eyes and hair.

Peanuts

If you are not a fan of eating peanut butter, then peanuts will do the trick. They are high in biotin and all you need is a quarter cup to get the recommended daily nutrients. They also contain fiber and are high in antioxidants. If you are vegetarian, these can be a great meat substitute.

Chia Seeds

For those who lead a vegetarian diet, chia seeds have become somewhat of a trend. They can be added to everything from smoothies, to cereal, porridge and even salads. They are higher in protein compared to soybeans and can help towards healthy luscious hair. They can also help towards the health of your heart – bonus!

Spinach

Everyone should know by now; how powerful green leafy foods are and spinach is one of the top contenders. Not only is it good for hair and skin but also has iron, magnesium and folate to help with anemia issues. They also contain vitamin C, as is common with dark leafy greens.

Sardines

Packed with both vitamin D and omega 3, sardines are great on toast and coupled with salad and other foods and are not an expensive option when bought at the grocery store. These are part of other just as healthy fish types to eat. Make sure you get the ones with a low mercury level. 

Grapes

Who doesn’t love grapes? These are some of the richest plant-based foods that contain polyphenolic compounds. This is highly beneficial in reducing cellular damage. The compound known as Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPC) is also great for your hair. It helps to stimulate hair follicles and is also great to prevent inflammation in the body.

Flax Seeds

Besides using it as an egg substitute in baking and cooking, Flax seeds are packed full of polyunsaturated fatty acids. These are highly beneficial in helping to provide nourishment to your hair and scalp and prevent dry scalp issues such as dandruff.

You can use it in almost every dish such as adding it to your salads, baking, curries, smoothies, juices and more. You can also chew them as is, and they have an earthy taste to them. Many vegetarians swear by flax seeds to promote holistic health.

Other great foods to eat to promote hair growth

  • Pumpkin
  • Chickpeas
  • Lentils
  • Beans and peas
  • Asparagus
  • Greek yogurt

Not many people are aware of the benefits of not just using natural products on their bodies but also eating the right foods to get the most out of it. Live your best self and start today by choosing the best foods to add to your and your family’s daily diet.