Our favourite nutrient-packed snacks to help you check off your healthy hair goals from the inside out
When it comes to hair health, the food we eat is equally as important as the hair products we use. If you’re focusing on strengthening your strands, encouraging growth or on the overall appearance of your hair, the supermarket should be your next stop (after colleen, obvi).
There are so many delicious, seasonal superfoods that directly support the strength, growth, and general health of your hair, year-round. Foods like salmon, spinach, and avocados provide omega-3 fatty acids, iron, and vitamin E, which nourish the scalp, improve blood circulation, and maintain healthy hair follicles. While eggs and Greek yoghurt offer high-quality protein and biotin, to support hair growth and prevent breakage.
So, if you have a specific hair concern to tackle or if overall hair health is the goal, think of these vitamin, mineral and nutrient-dense superfoods as the support act, working alongside your hair products and other foods to give your hair a healthy boost from the inside out. This is your grocery guide to healthy hair.
FRESH PRODUCE
- Spinach: Iron-Rich Green
Packed with iron, folate, and vitamins A and C, spinach aids in sebum production, which naturally conditions the scalp and keeps hair moisturized. Iron helps carry oxygen to the hair follicles, supporting healthy hair growth. Plus, the vitamins in spinach promote scalp health and strengthen hair follicles, reducing breakage.
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- Kumara: Beta-Carotene Boost
If your hair is looking dull or a bit blah, Kumara could be a game-changer. Like carrots, they’re loaded with beta-carotene, which your body converts into vitamin A. This vitamin is essential for sebum production, a natural oil that keeps your scalp and hair moisturized. By including kumara in your diet, you’ll help your hair regain its glossy, healthy appearance.
- Avocado: Fatty Hair Hero
Avocados are more than just a friend to toast — they’re a powerhouse for your hair too! Loaded with healthy fats, vitamins E and B, and biotin. Vitamin E protects hair from oxidative stress and damage, while biotin strengthens the hair and promotes growth.
- Berries: Sweet Antioxidants
Berries are yum and bursting with vitamins and antioxidants. Abundant in Vitamin C to support collagen production and strengthen hair to prevent it from becoming brittle, while antioxidants work hard to protect hair follicles from damage caused by free radicals, promoting healthy hair growth and preventing thinning. Plant a berry bush and you'll never be without.
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THE SEAFOOD SECTION
- Salmon: Omega-3 Loaded
For those with thin or brittle hair, hit up the seafood section and get yourself some salmon. Packed with omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and vitamin D, salmon increases shine and supports hair growth. Omega-3 fatty acids are known to reduce inflammation to support scalp health.
- Oysters: Rich source of Zinc
In case you didn't know, Oysters are one of the best dietary sources of zinc, which plays a crucial role in hair growth, repair, and preventing hair loss.
They are high in protein to strengthen hair and are a great source of iron to enhance blood circulation to the scalp. Additionally, the omega-3 fatty acids in oysters add shine and improve hair texture, and the selenium they contain offers antioxidant protection. Together, these nutrients support overall hair health, making oysters a staple in your diet and a must-have next time you go out for dinner. Thank us later.
PICK 'N' MIX
- Nuts & Seeds: Biotin and Beyond
Almonds, walnuts, flaxseeds and other nuts are tiny but mighty when it comes to hair health. They are rich in biotin, vitamin E, selenium and essential fatty acids, which are vital for hair growth and overall health. Biotin helps to reduce hair thinning and vitamin E provides antioxidants that support a healthy scalp, while Zinc is particularly crucial in preventing hair shedding.
THE DAIRY
- Eggs: Protein Powerhouse
Eggs are a rich source of protein, biotin, and essential nutrients. Protein strengthens hair strands and prevents breakage, while biotin supports hair growth and improves keratin infrastructure, making hair stronger and more resilient. Additionally, eggs contain vitamins A, D, and E, as well as folate and iron, which improve scalp health and promote healthy hair growth. If you've been thinking about getting chickens, now could be your time.
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- Greek Yoghurt: Vitamin B5 Boost
Swing by the refrigerated section and pick up some Greek yoghurt. It's packed with protein, the building block of your locks, Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) to help increase blood flow to your scalp and hair growth and Vitamin D which plays a role in the creation of new hair follicles. These nutrients work together to promote hair growth and scalp health and may help against hair thinning and loss.
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