Eating healthily doesn’t really come easy for me, as I am addicted to sugar; and not the fruity kind. I love chocolate, it is my favourite unhealthy thing in the world, amongst many other “bad foods” that are not good for you.
I am slowly trying to become better, reminding myself often that when we are young these things don’t really matter, but it is as we age that fear of deterioration begins.
The main reason I actually decided to try out a healthier breakfast (apart from genuinely wanting to adjust my diet to more wholefood) other than peanut butter or Nutella on toast, is for my hair growth journey. I love long hair, and as long as mine is right now, it can never be long enough for me. Growing my hair out is kind of a motivation for me to be healthier with what I eat and maybe could be for you as well.
I decided to do some research, naturally. On Pinterest, funny enough.
Some may argue that Pinterest is not a solid foundation for proper research for hair growth or hair care, but when more than one pin comes up saying the exact same thing, doubt begins to slowly fade from the mind. And even if there is still a small seed of doubt, Google is always an app away to confirm Pinterest’s truth.
I came across a lot of information regarding what to eat to improve hair health, but for now I will only be mentioning the ingredients of my wholesome breakfast.
The first thing I poured into my bowl was some plain full fat yogurt (which is apparently the equivalent to Greek yogurt, which is a struggle to find in South Africa). I never knew this of course, but apparently yogurt helps reduce dandruff and overall helps the hair growth cycle by providing high-quality protein to build hair strands.
Berries, the next ingredient I placed in my bowl, benefits hair growth since they are loaded with antioxidants. I specifically chose strawberries and blueberries, as they are sweet and bursting with flavour. They are also a natural collagen boost which assists in improving scalp circulation.
Chia seeds! I sprinkle a fair amount of chia seeds on top and stir them in with my spoon as they also play a part in hair care and add a fun texture to the mix of it all. I chose chia seeds because they are my favourite, but every type of seed has an important role in our hair care and overall health, so no one is ever limited to one specific seed.
Chia seeds in particular though, are rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids (very important for hair growth) and zinc. They help by strengthening hair strands which in turn prevents breakage and split ends, as well as stimulating follicles for faster hair growth.
After adding all my hair care ingredients, I like to add a bit of cinnamon for extra flavour along with syrup (or honey, a healthier option). This just sweetens it up a little bit if you are like me who has a sweet tooth but doesn’t really add to the benefit of hair growth. This is a really simple and easy breakfast, yet healthy and full of enriching benefits! It’s also an easy “to go” breakfast if you are in a rush to work or somewhere else important.
