By now most of us are aware that the products we use on our hair can promote hair growth. However, what we put in our bodies is equally important.  Eating a healthy diet is the foundation to new hair, skin and nail growth. Keep in mind though that no matter what you eat, if you were born with thin, fine hair you will not suddenly start growing thick hair. Another note of caution is that taking dietary supplements that promise to thicken your hair or make it grow faster may go wrong. There have been cases where taking an excess of a supplement, such as vitamin A, has actually caused hair loss instead of growth.

Here are five foods you can eat to help your hair grow healthy and strong:

1. Salmon – Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, salmon contributes to good scalp health and prevents drying of the scalp which can cause dull looking hair.

2. Dark Green Vegetables – Broccoli, spinach and kale are good sources of vitamins A and C which help produce sebum. Sebum is the oily substance naturally produced by the hair follicles and acts like a hair conditioner.

3. Nuts – Walnuts, cashews, pecans and almonds are all great sources of zinc. You don’t want to have a deficiency of zinc because that can lead to hair shedding so be sure to include plenty of nuts in your diet.

4. Poultry – Chicken and turkey are rich sources of high quality protein. Having inadequate or low-quality protein can result in brittle hair and in extreme cases can even cause loss of hair color. Besure to give your hair plenty of protein through poultry.

5. Whole Grains – Hearty whole grains such as whole-wheat bread and fortified whole-grain breakfast cereals are high in zinc, iron and B vitamins. As an added bonus, whole grains can give you a boost of energy when you are feeling drained in the afternoon and still need to make it through the rest of the work day.