Healthy hair is a sign of beauty and there is no wonder every woman wants to do everything possible to have a thick and lustrous mane. The way your hair looks has a lot to do with your lifestyle, and if you would like to change it, you have to change a few aspects of your life as well. Doing expensive treatments and using expensive products can help only in the short run, and trust me, there are much better ways to have great hair. I actually have found that my hair is at its best with minimal care, and that hair health has a lot to do with nutrition.

Below I am sharing 10 tips for great hair, and as you will see 6 of them are all about what you eat. Following these tips won’t give you results overnight, as your body needs to work to cleanse, revitalize and repair from the inside out in order for you to see the results from the outside. But if you follow these tips and continue eating your healthy foods, rich in vitamins and minerals, you will notice how your hair will start to be more lustrous, thick and soft.

1. Protein

Your hair is mostly made of protein. When you don’t eat enough protein your hair stops growing and can become thinner. This can lead to hair loss and brittle hair. Many people nowadays consume more protein than they need, especially from animal sources. This can lead to increased acidity in the body, which can actually damage the health of your hair. So make sure you consume mainly good plant-based protein foods, such as nutritional yeast, broccoli, chia and hemp seeds, nuts, legumes and a clean plant-based protein powder.

2. Iron

This is an important mineral for your hear and if you are not consuming enough iron, or are anemic, this can lead to hair loss. You need a nutrient rich blood supply to feed your hair follicles and roots, and if you don’t have enough iron that blood flow and nutrient supply is disrupted. Include iron-rich foods to your menu, such as sea vegetables, lentils and beans, almonds, spinach and other leafy greens.

3. Omega-3

Our body cannot produce those important fats, and this is why it is important that we include foods, rich in them in our daily menu. Those good fats keep the scalp oil levels balanced and the hair hydrated. So consume plenty of seeds, nuts, avocado, and coconut oil. If you eat fish, than make sure you have about two servings a week.

4. Vitamin A

Truly a beauty vitamin, vitamin A together with vitamin C, creates sebum, which keeps the hair from becoming brittle and dry. It works as a natural conditioner that creates a healthy scalp. Include orange and yellow colored fruits and vegetables in your diet, that are high in beta-carotene (the precursor of vitamin A), such as carrots, pumpkins and sweet potatoes.

5. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is important as it helps with the iron absorption in your body and it acts as an anti-oxidant. This vitamin plays a role in the production of collagen, which is important for strengthening the capillaries and the nutrient supply of your hair.

6. Vitamin E

This is a natural protector of your hair against environmental damage of your hair. Foods rich in vitamin E are nuts, so try to include them more often in your diet.

7. Avoid products containing sulfates/ sulfites

Pay attention to the products you buy and make sure you read their ingredients. Yes, this applies not only the food we buy, but also to the cosmetic products we use. Our skin absorbs those products and they go straight into our blood stream, so it is important to pay attention to what we put on it. Sulfates/sulfites are toxic ingredients, which we do not want to swim freely in our bodies, so stay away from products that contain them.

8. Use minimal hair products

Using lots of different products on your hair can actually weigh it down. You really don’t need all those products. Just stick to a good natural shampoo and hair conditioner and that’s it! I have never used more than this, and find that my hair is very easy to take care of.

9. Natural hair care

Many well-known hair care brands use ingredients that can actually lead to hair loss and breakage over time. Pay attention to the products you buy and choose brands that use only natural ingredients in their products. Also don’t forget that your kitchen already contains a lot of ingredients you can also use for your hair. A lemon rinse is a great way to revitalize your hair. Simply pour some lemon juice on your damp hair, let it sit for 5-10 min and then rinse out. Coconut oil is great for your hair too, just make sure you put it only at the ends of your hair, and avoid the roots!

10. Watch your stress levels

Stress can lead to hair loss, so try to include some relaxing and down time in your routine every day. Stress can naturally happen after certain life events such as childbirth, surgery or illness, but once it is under control again, your hair will return to its normal condition on its own. This might take a while, so a gentle and mindful approach to this is always helpful.