We all know the age-old saying you are what you eat. But did you know that what you choose to snack on is reflected in the most unlikely of places, namely your hair?
It’s true. What you eat can have a knock-on effect on the shininess of your locks – and if you pack your diet with the right superfoods, you will see a difference in the growth and healthiness of your hair.
Here, FEMAIL speaks to the Australian dietitian, Peta Carige, to find out how you can superfood your strands.
FEMAIL speaks to Australian dietitian, Peta Carige (pictured), to find out which foods you can eat for luscious locks
According to Ms Carige, some of the top foods you need to think about when it comes to happy hair are oily fish – she said there’s nothing better than sardines on toast (stock image)
UP YOUR OILS
According to Ms Carige, some of the top foods you need to think about when it comes to happy, healthy hair are the various oily fish:
‘Oily fish including salmon, mackerel and sardines will hugely assist with keeping your hair glossy,’ Ms Carige told Daily Mail Australia.
‘Eat them three to four times a week for a healthy mane.’
Ms Carige said that some of the best foods to eat are sardines.
‘They contain your daily requirements of Omega and it doesn’t matter what time of day, but sardines on toast with an egg will be an amazingly-nutrition-packed breakfast,’ she added.
‘Oily fish including salmon, mackerel and sardines will hugely assist with keeping your hair glossy,’ Ms Carige told Daily Mail Australia (stock image)
You also need to pimp your hair from the inside out, by eating plenty of protein-rich foods (stock image)
PIMP YOUR PROTEIN AND TRY MARINE COLLAGEN
Fellow expert, Nicole Prasad, also said that protein is vital for thick, lustrous hair.
‘Feed your hair from the inside – the overall health of hair, similar to the rest of the body, is dependent on the nourishment you provide it,’ she told FEMAIL.
Because hair is primarily built of protein, you need to make sure you’re eating plenty of protein-rich foods.
‘Lean poultry, fish, almonds and soy are a good option,’ she said – as is a daily dose of marine collagen, such as the ProPlenish marine collagen:
‘A natural decline in collagen levels within the body as you age in conjunction with general wear-and-tear on your hair contributes to dry brittle locks that can prove hard to grow,’ she explained.
‘Scientific studies show that including marine collagen in your daily diet can significantly strengthen hair at the root by restoring collagen in the hair follicle to aid hair growth, texture and body.’
Not only this, but it has also been shown to increase hair thickness by up to 49 per cent in some cases.
‘Lean poultry, fish, almonds and soy are a good option,’ fellow expert, Nicole Prasad, said – as is a daily dose of marine collagen (stock image)
INTAKE MORE IRON
Last but not least, other experts swear by iron to improve your hair’s condition.
‘Iron is an especially important mineral for hair and too little iron (anaemia) is a major cause of hair loss,’ naturopath and holistic nutritionist, Erika Morvay, told Whimn.
Animal products including chicken, turkey, red meat and fish provide healthy, hearty doses of iron.
But if you’re vegetarian or vegan, there’s always lentils, spinach and other leafy green vegetables.