5 Thanksgiving Foods That Can Help Create Healthy Hair

So, one of my favorite holidays of the year is coming right around the corner: THANKSGIVING! Okay, so I know that Thanksgiving is all about, well, giving, but lets be real; Everyone loves the good eatin’ that comes along with it. I know I do. My love for food is so strong that I cant even talk about it, it would be too embarrassing. But yes, I think that we all can agree that Thanksgiving dinner is the best!

While Thanksgiving dishes can be beneficial for our tummies but they can also benefit our hair. “Now Danni, how can dishes that tend to be laden with butter and sugar help my strands? “. Well particular foods can help in more ways than you can imagine, and we all know that the source of healthy hair growth and general health starts with the food we eat. Below, we have listed the 5 Thanksgiving dishes that can benefit your hairs health. Check it out!

1. Turkey

So first on our list is the godfather of all (or most Thanksgivings) : The Turkey. Turkeys contains high amounts of protein that can benefit your strands.

Its no mystery that protein is one of the most important elements to having healthy hair, alongside moisture of course. Protein, whether through consumption or protein treatments, give our hair the strength that it needs to endure all of the manipulation and surrounding elements that we put upon our hair on a daily basis.

By eating 2 ozs. of turkey, you are getting at least 14 grams of protein intake, which for women is almost close to half of your minimum protein consumption requirements. Turkey also contains a high amount of methionine, which is one of the top essential amino acids that we need to have within our bodies as a complete protein.

2. Greens (Collards, Mustard, Turnip, etc.)

Various types of greens such as: collards, turnips, and mustards are a powerhouse when it comes to providing nutrients for our strands. Most greens contains high amounts of vitamin A (which helps produce healthy sebum to keep hair moisturized and supple) , vitamin C* (one cup of cooked greens can provide at least %50 of your daily intake in vitamin c* or more.

This helps build up collagen within the strands  to provide a sturdy and strong structure.) and iron. Although iron* is essential for just about all of us, women who may have slow growth due to iron* deficiencies can really benefit from this. Depending on the type of greens that you eat, you can get between 16-15 grams of iron*, which can aid in almost getting your daily intake of iron* (18 mg for women) and possibly increasing hair growth.

3. Cranberry Sauce

Most of us know that cranberries, those cute little red tart fruits, are  a beast when it comes to providing our body with antioxidants, but did you know that cranberries are also anti-septic and anti-microbial?

This is great for ladies who have scalp infections such as dandruff. You can gain the benefits of cranberries via consumption and topically. Try mixing your cranberries with some orange to get an extra boost of vitamin c*, which as we mentioned before is excellent for your hair health.

4. Roasted Squash ,Carrots, and Sweet Potatoes

I would have to say that among all of the side dishes that are usually served for Thanksgiving, my favorite dish besides Mac and Cheese, of course, are sweet potatoes. I am a fan of many root vegetables that tend to be an orange color, probably because of the sweetness, but who knows why we like what we like!

Vegetables such as winter squash, orange carrots, yams, and sweet potatoes are loaded with beta-carotene which is a toxic free type of vitamin A* and is the element that give these veggies their orange color.

Beta carotene is a great way to prevent hair breakage internally which can help with great retention alongside healthy hair practices. So for ladies that have fine hair especially and are protein sensitive, eating beta carotene rich foods might be able to to make up for strengthening treatments.

5. Pumpkin Pie

Okay y’all , so you guys knew that I could not leave out dessert. For many people, pumpkin pie is like the national food for the fall season. I mean I do not know about you guys, but all I see is pumpkin spice this and that. From Starbucks to Bed Bath and Body Works, during this time of year everyone has pumpkin fever, and it’s a great thing because pumpkin is very beneficial for your body and hair.

Just like vegetables such as the squash, carrots, etc. that we mentioned above, pumpkin is also rich in beta- carotene aka vitamin A*, on top  of being rich in otber minerals and vitamins* as well. Pumpkin is full of vitamins* and minerals such as : potassium*, iron, vitamin C*, K, and, E. Although all of these elements play a big part in hair health, potassium* is a big winner for hair here because potassium has been proven to help with hair re-growth. This is great for ladies that may have trouble with thinning hair or alopecia.

So with all of this said, eat up! Besides Thanksgiving being the day where you have free reign to pig out sans guilt, you can also get countless benefits that can also help your hair in the long run!