Thanksgiving and Christmas meals for gorgeous, shiny and manageable hair.

It’s unfortunate but we often think of Thanksgiving and Christmas as ways to let loose
at the dinner table, but we also have to keep in mind that’s they’re days we should
celebrate family, friends and the things we’re most grateful for.

And after giving thanks and counting our blessings, we can get into the things that are
superficial, you know-eating until we’re ready to pass out, drinking a little more than we
normally do and worrying about how our hair looks.

Hair?
Yes, did you know that ham, turkey, potatoes and bowl of nuts can help you achieve the
hair of your dreams, more so than creams, lotions and expensive potions.

Still not convinced?
No problem, just continue reading for all of the details.

a) Serve Up Some Meat-
If turkey and ham are staples come Thanksgiving and Christmas, continue this tradition
year round. Why? Hair is 95% protein, and without enough of it, your body rations it
by shutting off non essential functions like hair growth. And as a result, your body can’t
replace the hairs you shed naturally and the hair that is left is usually dry and brittle.
So, to combat this, eat more ham, turkey, cheese, chicken, and eggs.
And for those who have sworn off meat and dairy, ask your health-care provider to
check your iron levels and if they’re too low, ask him or her to recommend a good Iron
tablet and the correct dosage.

b) Eggs-
As mentioned above, eggs contain protein and all of the B vitamins, nutrients, needed
for scalp circulation, more growth and elasticity. Eggs also contain sulfur, which helps
form hair’s structural layers, as well as amino acids that make collagen and keratin,
the building blocks of the hair shaft.
Look for organic, range-free, grass-fed and cage free eggs, but only if your budget
allows it.
Not into eggs?
Look for a top quality B-vitamin complex, that also includes amino acids.

c) A Potato Dish-
Often criticized as too fattening, potatoes, parsnips and bell peppers contain
something called Catalase, an enzyme that breaks down hydrogen peroxide,
the color-stripping villain that causes hair to go gray. As we age, this enzyme
declines, eventually allowing the grays to accumulate. To combat this,
eat a dish of roasted or stir-fried potatoes, parsnips and bell peppers
along with your turkey or ham.

d) Seeds-
If you only eat pumpkin seeds during the fall (Halloween), again, you’re making
a big mistake. Eat the seeds year round if your hair is dry and brittle.
Pumpkin seeds are rich in zinc, a nutrient so important, it stops and prevents
dryness, thinning and dandruff. Plus, the seeds contain copper, which
improves hair thickness, color and shine.
Stock up on seeds, so head to Aldi, B.J’s, Costco or Trader Joe’s.

e) Go Nuts-
As in eat more nuts and not just as a way to dress up baked goods, (cookies
and brownies). Hair growth starts to slow down by age 30, usually caused by
a lack of vitamin E. Plus, nuts contain biotin, a B vitamin vital for hair growth,
strength and texture.

f) Pomegranate-
Another popular food served this time of year and if you’re concerned
about thinning strands and dryness, add the seeds to smoothies,
bowls of plain yogurt or drink a glass or two of unsweetened pomegranate
juice 2 to 3 times a day.
Helpful tip: Pomegranates are in season right now, so if you have an
Aldi, Kroger’s, Publix or Trader Joe’s near you, buy a few and remove the
seeds or run them in a juicer and freeze them.


That’s it for today, and make sure to check out a future post on more
holiday foods you should be eating for hair more growth, shine, thickness
and elasticity.

Good Luck, Good Eating and Good Health!

Sources:
* Rebecca Kazin, M.D. Dermatologist
* University of Hawaii, Research Dept.
* Doris Day, M.D. Dermatologist
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