My Weekly Favs for Healthy Skin & Hair

I didn't realize the real importance of hair and skin health until my scalp was inflamed, and my hair was gone. Before this LPP journey, I focused on what I was putting on my hair, instead of what I was putting inside my body. Healthy hair doesn't just come from just mixing essential and carrier oils together. It is important to work on the gut first. When starting this journey, I started eating differently. Now, there are certain things that I consume on a daily basis or even a few times a week, that I believe has brought my hair and skin to its optimum health.

Seeds

Even before my #justeatmoreplants smoothie challenge, I drank smoothies literally every day. Seeds are very common in my smoothies which include two tbsps. of either chia seeds, flax seeds, hemp or a combination of the three. Chia and flax seeds are known as superfoods because they contain a large amount of vitamins and nutrients including magnesium, zinc, iron, selenium, and fiber. They have anti-inflammatory properties and contain a nice amount of protein and omega fatty acids which are great for stimulating skin and hair growth. Hemp seeds are plant based and are known for creating moisture and containing protein, which is also important in preventing hair breakage.

Avocado

I wish someone would have told me to try avocados outside of guacamole a long time ago! They are so delicious, especially when you add a little flavor to it. I eat avocados on toast, in smoothies, with a salad, on tacos, or even use it as a part of a hair mask. Avocados are awesome because they are an essential fatty acid. They have soooo many nutrients including vitamin E which is excellent for the hair, and folate which promotes healthy cell growth.

Nuts/Nut Butters

I eat a lot of nuts in between meals as a snack, and I include almond butter in my smoothies. Nuts can be fatty, but are packed with a lot of protein. All nuts aren't treated the same, because they have different properties. Almonds are rich in vitamin E which is awesome for skin and hair. Peanuts also have great benefits such as vitamin B7 and biotin which stimulates hair growth. Even though I don't eat them, I've read that brazil nuts also help with hair loss. Just do your research before eating a bunch of nuts.

Fatty Fish

Just in case you're confused, I am neither vegan or vegetarian. I promote a plant based lifestyle, which means majority of my diet includes plants, but I will eat meat occasionally. Seafood is a big part of my meat consumption. Fatty fish with omega 3's are great for hair health. One of my favs is salmon! I love salmon because it's anti-inflammatory, and taste so good! When eating salmon, I try buying it from a local farmers market because they have great wild caught options. Try to stay away from farm-raised seafood.

Leafy Greens

Green leafy vegetables are so essential. If you didn't know already, plants are healing!! During the week I consume a variety of vegetables such as kale, spinach, collards, cabbage and romaine lettuce. Spinach alone contains folate, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and iron. That's the bulk of what your hair and skin needs to stay healthy. Ya'll better add more collard greens next to that mac n cheese on Sundays!! Ok!!

Sweet Potatoes

I loveeee sweet potatoes. I can eat them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I didn't realize that sweet potatoes are great for hair and skin health. Sweet potatoes have b vitamins, potassium, vitamin c, but most importantly beta-carotene that promotes cell growth. It aids in a healthy scalp and promotes hair growth. A scoop of sweet potatoes with the collard greens sound like a win to me.

Berries

Strawberries and blueberries are two of my favorite fruits to just pop in my mouth or add to a smoothie. Berries contain antioxidants which helps alleviate oxidative stress in the body that can cause hair loss. When you are craving a healthy sweet treat, these are great options and can help you in the long run.

Beverages

Water is so self-explanatory, but surprisingly a lot of people don't drink it. Staying hydrated is important for your whole body, so just remember it affects your hair. Dry, un-moisturized hair is no fun. It definitely causes damage and breakage. Along with water, I drink a lot of green tea. Green tea is amazing because it is full of antioxidants and is anti-inflammatory. Not only does it give your immune system a boost, but it also known for maintaining the skins pH levels.

To Sum It Up..

There are so many other foods and beverages that I didn't mention, but these are the ones that I consume frequently that work for me. The beautiful thing about this list is that it's not just for hair. Everything mentioned has tons of nutrients that will give your body what it needs. You'll not only have healthier skin and hair, but your body will feel great.

Remember, what works for one person doesn't work for everybody. However, it won't hurt you to try! When optimizing your hair and skin health look for nutrients that include, b-vitamins, iron, omega-3's, protein, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin E. Go to a doctor, and see what your body is deficient in to give you what you need to work on. According to my blood work, my body was lacking vitamin D and omega 3's, so it was easy to know what supplements and foods to focus my attention on.

Comment below, ask a question, or just send me an emoji to let me know how you feel! As always, eat your veggies, stay hydrated and don't forget to live un·scarred.

Flourishingly & Graciously,

Gia

“I can accept failure. Everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.”

-Michael Jordan

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