The significance of diet and the way it can affect your hair should not be underestimated. Numerous problems can arise from either a deficiency or an excess of nutrients, and in some cases nutrition alone can be the cause of a hair loss problem. Often a simple change in diet will have a beneficial effect on the hair. Hair consists of protein, so eating sufficient protein is vital to strong, healthy hair.
breakfast
lunch
dinner
between meals
daily must dos
It takes a long time for any diet changes to become beneficial. It would take over two months for the hair follicles to begin to benefit. As hair grows only half an inch a month, it would take six months before you would begin to notice any changes. But your perseverance will pay off.
The crux is to have the underlying nutritional goodies but before significantly altering your diet you should check with your doctor first.
breakfast
The most important meal for your hair because the energy levels to your hair follicles are at their lowest first thing in the morning, and they need a boost. The perfect breakfast consists of:
any fresh fruit
one or more of:
- eggs
- a serving of bacon or ham
- kippers or smoked salmon (or any other fish or meat)
- 180g (6oz) of low fat cottage cheese
optional:
cereals
yoghurt
bread
jam or honey
juices
tea or coffee
sugar
lunch
The second most important meal for protein, the perfect lunch consists of:
mixed raw salad or grilled vegetables or soup
minimum of 120g (4.5oz) of any meat, fish, eggs, poultry or 180g (6oz) of low fat cottage cheese
any vegetables, including potatoes
anything you fancy for desert, preferably with fruit
dinner
Dinner is the least important meal for your hair so it is here that you could indulge or abstain!
between meals
Eat between meals if you dont eat for more than four hours. After this time the energy to your hair follicles gets depleted. If you feel a little lethargic around late afternoon so do your hair follicles, but you cant feel that!
The ideal energy-boosting snacks are, in order:
fruit fresh or dried
raw vegetables
slice of bread or wholemeal biscuit
daily must dos
drink 1.5-2 litres of water
not too much salt or high fat content foods
no black tea (there is evidence that drinking tea without milk can sometimes increase the likelihood of anaemia. Without milk the tannin is free to bind on to iron, therefore reducing iron storage)
a well-balanced nutritional supplement containing essential vitamins and minerals is also recommended
