A good hair day is every woman’s perfect shot of confidence. With our hair behaving just the way we want it, there’s a spark in our eyes and a skip in our step. With pollution and a hectic lifestyle, we need to answer a crucial question; how to take care of hair? For strong, healthy, lustrous hair makes us love ourselves a tiny bit more.
From Bollywood to pop culture, every song talks about shiny, luscious hair. Strong, shiny, glossy, lustrous, bouncy, voluminous hair is what every model/actress/performer is seen flaunting from movies to television, shows and digital as well as social media. While we all have unique hair genes, structure and qualities; it is totally possible to make them look and feel their best.
With a nutritious, strengthening diet you can get such hair. The food we eat affects our organs, bones, skin, teeth, and hair as well. Following a curated diet for healthy hair will surely bring you great results. The key is to know all about what falls under the ‘food for healthy hair’ category.
Food That Boost Hair Health
There are plenty of food trends that claim unmatched results. But not everything is good for you. Let’s talk about something that will make a huge difference; wholesome food good for hair!
I. Fruits Good For Hair
Haven’t we all heard how important it is to include food in our diets since childhood? Remember our moms feeding us fruit salad in hopes of us finally consuming the fruits we refused to eat? Well, the truth is our moms were right.
- Vitamin C in citrus fruits is extremely important when we talk about food for healthy hair. It produces collagen which builds capillaries that pass on nutrition to our hair. Fruits like oranges, sweet limes and grapefruits are great sources of vitamin C. Include lime and lemon as well. And on hot summer days, a tall drink of chilled nimbu paani will do the trick!
- Avocados have a high amount of vitamin E which maintains the pH level of our body along with improving blood circulation. This promotes hair growth. So make some guacamole or a dip/spread by adding your favourite ingredients. And quit wondering how to get healthy hair!
- Berries like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and gooseberries (amla) all work like magic for hair care. Full of antioxidants, vitamins, and other nutrients, berries aid hair growth. Simply clean and eat them as they are or try out some delicious milkshakes.
II. Eat Some Meat
Non-vegetarians will be delighted to know that a lot of seafood and meats are great for hair. When most people talk about food for healthy hair, they end up skipping on a major food group; meat. We bring you even more reasons to eat your favourite non-veg food.
- Salmon (raavas), mackerel (bangda) and herring are all fish types that work wonders for your hair. Rich in healthy omega-3 fatty acids, protein and vitamins, eating fish makes your hair shiny and healthy. Oysters and prawns are great sources of nutrients that promote hair growth.
- Want to justify your chicken cravings? Now you can, for lean meats like chicken and turkey provide protein that’s essential for healthy hair. A lack of protein causes older hair to fall out and arrests hair growth. Consuming lean meat makes up for a great diet for healthy hair.
III. Vegetables Good For Hair
While we are on the topic of food good for hair, vegetables simply can’t be ignored. Those of us who found new and unique ways to avoid eating veggies in childhood will happily eat them for healthy hair.
- Green leafy vegetables have been ground zero for all mother-children fights. But these veggies are rich in nutrients that are vital for hair nourishment. Spinach (palak) and methi are high in iron. It is an essential mineral that makes our hair stronger and lessens breakage. Spinach juice is the most beneficial option.
- Carrots may help your eyesight but they sure do help you get a healthy scalp. Packed with vitamin A, eating carrots help the scalp in generating sebum, a natural oil that keeps the scalp and hair roots healthy. Eat it raw, turn it into a drink or mix it in your salad.
- Beta-carotene, which is essentially vitamin A, is great for hair health. Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamin A which helps increase scalp sebum production. Include this wonderful root vegetable in your diet for healthy hair. Boil them, roast them or make a soup out of it!
IV. Grain & Nut Nutrition
Indians use a variety of grains and nuts in their everyday meals. Grains, beans, pulses, and nuts are great sources of nutrients that are vital for healthy hair growth.
- Nuts and seeds are packed with healthy omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E. This ensures that your hair grows healthy and happy. Opt for walnuts and almonds and try adding roasted flaxseeds to your meals. Sunflower and melon seeds are great as well. If you use chia seeds, soak them beforehand.
- Get your daily dose of iron, zinc and vitamin B from whole grains, beans, and pulses. They contain biotin which promotes hair growth. Multigrain rotis are an existing part of Indian cuisine, so keep eating that. A whole-grain khichdi will do the trick when it comes to consuming pulses and beans.
How To Maintain Healthy Hair?
Curly, wavy, oily, dry, long or short; no matter the type, we all need to pamper our scalp and hair regularly. With a diet plan ready, let’s look at some hair care tips.
1. Use Lukewarm Water
Many of us end up using hot water for bathing in the chilly weather. But hair follicles get damaged due to hot water. It strips the scalp of its natural oils and thus makes the hair dry and frizzy. Use lukewarm water to wash your hair and see the difference yourself.
2. Shampoo Only The Scalp
Shampoos are designed for scalp care. They cleanse the scalp and get rid of dandruff, dead skin cells, dirt, and pollution. Shampooing the ends of your hair strips them of all the goodness and makes them dull and dry. Concentrate on the scalp and leave the conditioner for the tips.
3. Condition Correctly
Do you know why our hair tends to get the greasiest at the roots? It’s because of improper conditioning. A conditioner is meant to be used on the lengths and tips of your hair. So skip the roots and focus on the strands. Ghee for hair is an excellent natural conditioner that you can consider using on a regular basis.
4. Throw Away The Towel
If you want to know how to take care of your hair, stop using your regular towel for your hair. To squeeze out the excess water post-showering, we tend to grab out thick body towels and go to town on our hair. These towels soak out all the moisture necessary for healthy, bouncy, frizz-free hair. Instead, grab a pure cotton t-shirt or one of those hair wraps made especially for hair.
5. Oil Your Hair
Applying hair oil brings back memories of when nani or dadi would make us sit on the floor and do a champi. And this tradition is the reason why our mothers have such thick, long hair. Applying warm oil to the scalp and gently massaging it works like magic. It aids scalp health, hair health, and texture, and stimulates blood circulation as well. Go for natural oils like coconut, castor, almond or bhringraj.
6. Protect While Styling
No look is complete without done-up hair and that requires a heated styling tool. Blow dryers, hair curlers, and straighteners cause a lot of hair damage if used incorrectly. Protect your hair from the heat of these tools by applying a serum or protective product first. This is one of the most effective hair care tips.
7. Part Ways With Ponytails
A ponytail is a busy girl’s best friend. For those of us who travel for work, work in hard conditions or simply can’t stand hair blowing in our face, a ponytail works the best. But having your hair tied up for too long causes damage. It puts strain on your hair and results in breakage. So, once in a while, just let your hair loose and let it breathe.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How can I make my hair healthier?
A. Along with a healthy diet and the above-mentioned tips, there are a number of ways you can achieve this goal. Get regular haircuts, focus on your scalp, use natural ingredients for hair care and don’t overbrush your hair. Changing hair products as per the season helps too.
Q. Which food contains biotin?
A. Biotin is a vitamin that our bodies need to provide us with energy. It is especially essential to maintain the health of our hair, nails, and skin. Almonds, spinach, yoghurt, eggs, broccoli, sunflower seeds, salmon and sweet potatoes are great sources of biotin.
Q. How do I make my hair thicker?
A. Include healthy foods in your diet that cater to hair care. Along with that, regular scalp massages promote hair growth and make it voluminous. Use targeted hair products with volume-boosting properties to stimulate hair growth.
Q. What does healthy hair feel like?
A. Healthy hair feels soft and smooth to the touch. Though every person has a unique hair texture and strand thickness, we can make out if our hair is healthy or not. Moisturised hair will be smooth and soft when you run your fingers through it.