Raise your hand if you feel personally victimized by your fridge over the past couple of weeks? Rest easy, you’re not alone. In fact, with more time spent at home these days, paired with a surplus of larger-than-normal grocery trips, you’re likely to consider eating a highlight of your day. Instead of splurging on junk food time and time again, why not make the most out of your current situation and load up on food designed to make your hair look better than ever before? Check out the top 10 foods that will give your locks insane shine and maintain that ‘fresh-out-of-the salon” finish.
Salmon
If you aren’t incorporating salmon into your weekly dinner rotation, we suggest you do so now. The powerhouse fish is packed with nutrients such as protein, omega-3, fatty acids, vitamin B12 and iron. Simply drizzle on some olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic and then grill or bake to your liking.
Avocado
Stop drooling over those Instagram pics of avo toast in your feed and go make some for yourself! Avocados are packed with antioxidants, magnesium, fiber and potassium--all essential nutrients necessary for achieving long, luminous strands.
Bananas
If there’s any fruit getting a major glow-up at the moment, it’s bananas. Everyone and their mother has been baking up banana bread like crazy, and, while the baked good is the perfect tasty treat every once in a while, we suggest eating the fruit in its raw state. Rich in potassium and vitamin B6, bananas nourish the hair and add moisture and shine.
Dark, leafy greens
We all know leafy greens are critical to our overall health, but they’re also imperative to our locks. Greens such as kale, spinach and swiss chard are rich in iron, a necessity for strong hair, as well as magnesium, vitamins A and C, calcium and omega-3s. Aim to eat some type of leafy greens with every meal (i.e. a green smoothie for breakfast, a kale salad for lunch and sauteed greens as a side dish for dinner).
Green tea
As much as most of us swear by our morning and afternoon coffees, you may want to consider swapping green tea for your cup o’ joe. Green tea is packed with antioxidants as well as vitamin B, which is ideal for softening the hair and strengthening the hair follicle; and vitamin C, which improves hair shine.
Dark chocolate
Stop feeling guilty on those sugar cravings and allow yourself to indulge your sweet tooth every once in a while. Dark chocolate contains copper, iron and zinc, which promote cell growth and increase blood circulation to the scalp, resulting in an abundance of healthy, shiny hair.
Greek yogurt
Not only is Greek yogurt rich in protein, the “building block” for healthy, strong locks, it also contains vitamin B5, also known as pantothenic acid, to promote blood flow and prevent thinning and balding.
Sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes are packed with beta-carotene, a key ingredient that stimulates the scalp to help add brightness and shine. Roast ‘em, sautee them or, indulge in some sweet potato fries--sans guilt!
