They tell us to eat for health, eat for nutrition. But FOOD, y’all. Why is it SO good? It’s one of my life’s great conflicts – the desire to eat healthfully versus the delicious ubiquity of carbs, sugar and fried things. There are benefits to drinking more water, eating a healthier diet and eliminating food items that can have negative internal effects, and those benefits go beyond just healing and wellness. So often we think of a diet as an act of self-deprivation intended for weight loss, when your diet is actually your daily intake, your habitual nourishment. For me, this is not about a number on a scale or fitting into a dress size. I’m trying NOT to think of myself as “going on a diet,” instead I think of it as “improving my diet.” I am approaching it intentionally, with utmost consideration for my health and wellness.
I know many other women who are going through similar changes. Recognizing that certain foods we love may be causing inflammation or dietary issues, or affecting the quality of our skin or rate of hair growth can be a catalyst for making positive choices and changes. I’m trying to take a less is more approach, myself. And my friend — popular natural hair stylist and expert Camille Reed, has done it. Over the years I’ve watched Camille become increasingly health conscious, more fit and healthy, and more knowledgeable about nutrition as the result of her health challenges. As a natural hair expert, this is the advice she shares with her clients at Noire Salon in Maryland, when they come to her with concerns about slow or no hair growth. This is insight from Camille’s own experiences that she has kindly offered to share with us right here on Afrobella! Thank you, Camille!
This is Your Healthy Natural Hair Growth Diet. Take it away, Camille Reed!
In 2014, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. It’s an autoimmune disease that gradually destroys the thyroid gland. What I learned is that there were foods in my diet that I was sensitive and allergic to. My entire endocrine system was thrown out of balance because the inflammation in my digestive tract wasn’t allowing me to properly absorb the nutrients from my food.
By 2015, I had finally learned how to read the labels to avoid foods that made me sick, but my hair wasn’t growing as well as it could. So I dug a bit deeper into articles about nutrition and hair.
There has to be a unique balance of nutrients within us to support hair growth. Hair growth is supported by adequate levels of protein, iron, magnesium, vitamin D, and Omega 3 fatty acids.
Add these ten foods as well as more frequent meals to your diet to really get your hair growth popping. Please stop skipping breakfast and aim to eat recommended portions 5 to 6 times a day:
- Salmon
- Eggs
- Lean meats that have lower fat percentage such as chicken
- Beef
- Turkey
- Halibut
- Dark leafy greens
- Nuts and seeds
- Lentils
- Sweet potatoe
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