How to get longer, stronger hair

Guys, I am not crazy. I swear.

I realise that my saying, “we need to feed our hair” sounds a little insane, but just hear me out.

Just like the rest of our body, the cells that support strong, healthy vibrant hair depend on a balanced diet packed full of nutrients. “The fuel you put into your body is going to carry through to the the health of your hair and skin,” says nutritionist and author of Eat, Taste, Nourish, Zoe Bingley-Pullin. Yep, you heard right. Shinier, happier hair will happen as soon as you start eating the right foods.

Our hair grows from follicles underneath the skin, known as the hair root, that receives nutrients from the foods we eat. Eating the good stuff means we’ll keep our locks happy and healthy, and while there is a little more to the process, let’s keep it simple for now and start at the guts of the problem (sorry, couldn’t help it). The important thing to remember is that “you are what you eat”, so with that in mind, let’s feed those tresses! Here are my top tips for luscious strands...

Ginger

Malting all over the bathroom floor? Me too. Thankfully, a little thing called ginger can solve that. Ginger contains magnesium, phosphorous, potassium and vitamins which help in making hair strong and shiny and the oil it produces is great for solving dandruff woes. The best way to nip this in the bud is with regular treatments from products like the Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Treatment Oil that will nourish and treat your precious scalp.

Salmon

Our bodies can’t naturally create omega 3 fatty acids so it’s super important for us to eat them, and that’s why Mr. Salmon is your guy. This high-quality protein source is loaded with all the good stuff, and will keep your scalp healthy and your hair a dull-free zone. Vegetarians, don’t fret! Try including ground flaxseed into your diet for some plant-based omega 3 fats. I love the De Lorezno Prescriptive Solutions Intense Hair Moisturiser that's enriched with omega 3 and ideal for daily use.

Nuts

Cashews, pecans and almonds are a great source of zinc, which is needed to prevent the loss of hair, so go nuts! A great way to keep your scalp in check is to get your dose of selenium from those delicious Brazilians (the nuts, not the men) and if you’re not a fan of the whole fish thing, then get on over here and make nuts a regular on your hair menu. Walnuts not only rank as one of the nuts with the highest amounts of omega 3s, they also come jam packed with biotin, which will keep your locks safe from sun damage. The perfect summer hair care treatment.

Banana

Rich in potassium, natural oils, carbohydrates and vitamins A and C, there’s a whole lotta lovin’ we get from bananas. This happy fruit protects our hair’s natural elasticity, preventing breakage and split ends, while also encouraging shine and growth. Thankfully the world of haircare has jumped on the yellow bandwagon and now we can get our daily dose of it in the shower too.
The Body Shop Banana Conditioner contains banana puree that’ll keep you tangle-free and delightfully banana-scented, so take a big whiff.

The green stuff

Remember how our mammas always told us to eat our greens? No, she wasn’t just being a bully, there was damn good reason. Dark green veggies like spinach, broccoli and kale are a great sources of calcium, iron, magnesium, protein, omega 3 fatty acids AND vitamins A and C, which are the vitamins needed to produce sebum - the oil that’s a natural hair conditioner.

Carrots

While they won’t help you see in the dark they will help you reach expert levels of hairy-ness. With a whole heap of vitamin A, your hair is bound to receive enough sebum to keep it looking super thick and shiny. Another sweet advantage of carrots is their prevention of premature greying. Yes To Carrots Scalp Relief Shampoo is a great one for tackling an irritated, flaking scalp.

Sweet potato

Apart from being so freakin’ tasty, they’re also full of beta-carotene, the antioxidant our bodies naturally turn into vitamin A. So like our good friend broccoli, sweet potato actually help us keep the dandruff at bay (cheers, you guys).

Eggs

Eggs and hair are both filled with protein, so by eating these on the regular, you’ll literally be feeding your hair and making it stronger, thicker and oh-so-happy. Eggs also carry our daily dose of iron, which we all need for general health and wellbeing - particularly us chickies who are susceptible to anemia. The ugly truth is that anemia is a major cause of hair loss, so let’s try and avoid that one, shall we? Try the Sukin Protein Hair Treatment for ultimate shine and nourishment.

Blueberries

The hair benefits of blueberries are just phenom. These little guys are a serious super food because they are just loaded with the vitamin C, which feeds our hair follicles and helps stimulate hair growth, giving us the ultimate mermaidy-mane.

What are your tips for healthy, festive tresses this season? How you got any other yummy hair-y tips?

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