5 Breakfast Foods That Are Good For Your Hair & Skin

Start Eating right for that beautiful hair and skin.

By Editor | Febueray 2, 2020. 9:00am.

I must admit that, unless it’s some French toast on sourdough bread or maybe a bowl of Raisin Bran every now and then, I’m not the biggest breakfast eater. There’s no real rhyme or reason as to why other than I tend to not really be in the mood to eat until right around brunch time. Still, I did grow up having the first official meal of the day, every day. Plus, the older that I get, I can tell that when I do force myself to at least have a piece of fruit, I feel a bit more energized. That’s why, lately, I’ve been on a mission to find ways to motivate me to eat breakfast a lot more often.

In walks the reason for this particular article. Aside from the fact that having breakfast can do things like make you more productive, increase your levels of concentration and suppress your appetite so that you don’t go crazy come lunch or dinner, there are several breakfast foods that are like beauty meals for your hair and skin too.

While there are many, below I’ve enclosed 5. Ones that are packed with so many nutrients that you should start to see visible results within a month or so of adding these foods to your daily morning routine.

1. Oatmeal with Honey

There are all kinds of reasons why it can only do your body—and beauty needs—good if you have a hot bowl of oatmeal a couple of times a week. For starters, oats are a gluten-free grain that are packed with fiber, antioxidants, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, phosphorus and a ton of manganese, along with vitamins B1 and B5. The combination of these nutrients will help to keep your cholesterol levels low, your blood sugar balanced and constipation at bay.

Beauty-wise, because of the antioxidants that are in oatmeal, eating it can help to reverse any of the environmental or UV damage that’s been done to your skin. And, when it comes to your hair, the copper in oats can help to prevent premature greying as the B vitamins can keep your hair moisturized. Also, if you add a little bit of honey to your oatmeal, because it’s a humectant, your skin can be soft and your hair will be manageable.

Try this Recipe: The Perfect Bowl of Oatmeal

2. Whole Grain Pancakes

Whole grains are grains that are literally “whole”. What that breaks down to is it’s a grain that still has its endosperm, germ, and bran intact (refined grains only contain the endosperm). This means that whole grains have far more nutrients in them including protein, fiber, B vitamins, zinc and antioxidants. Whole grains also have the disease-fighting plant compounds polyphenols, stanols and sterols. All of this works together to lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, obesity, cancer and type 2 diabetes. There are even studies indicating that whole grains can aid in preventing premature death (due to health-related issues).

The antioxidants in whole grains will protect your skin from experiencing sun damage, the zinc will make your skin glow, and the traces of the mineral selenium that’s also in whole grains will increase elasticity in your skin. Your hair will benefit from whole grains because the zinc will nourish your hair follicles and heal your scalp which promotes healthy hair growth.

Try this Recipe: Whole Grain Pancakes

3. Almond Butter on Whole Wheat Toast

If time is tight and you don’t have a ton of time to prepare a full breakfast, at least slice up an orange or tangerine (they are loaded with Vitamin C that will help your body to produce the collagen that your hair and skin need) and put some almond butter on some whole wheat toast. Almonds are full of fiber, protein and magnesium. As far as direct health benefits go, they aid in lowering your blood and cholesterol levels, plus they are good for controlling your blood sugar too.

As far as your hair and skin are concerned, almonds are filled with Vitamin E. Your hair needs that vitamin because it not only moisturizes your hair, it helps to increase your hair growth too. Your skin needs Vitamin E because it’s a wonderful way to keep your skin soft, supple and moisturized.

And why whole wheat toast? It’s high in fiber and aids in digestion. The more regular you are, the less toxins you’ll have in your system; this results in healthy skin and hair as well.

Try this Recipe: Homemade Almond Butter

4. Amaranth Porridge

Amaranth is another kind of grain that falls into the pseudocereal category. What that means is that while it’s not technically a cereal grain like oats or wheats, it’s oftentimes prepared like it’s one. Amaranth is cool because it’s a gluten-free grain that has fiber, protein, antioxidants, manganese, magnesium, iron, selenium and copper in it. If you eat amaranth on a consistent basis, it can lower bodily inflammation, lower cholesterol levels and risk of heart disease.

Your hair will love amaranth because it contains the amino acid lysine that moisturizes your hair and prevents hair loss. Many people also find amaranth to be a grain that soothes skin, slows down the aging process, heals breakouts and improves the overall health of your skin over time.

Try this Recipe: Amaranth Porridge with Roasted Pears

5. Egg Frittata

Eggs are good for you due to the protein that’s in them. Your hair is made up of mostly protein, so of course, eggs will only benefit it. As far as your skin goes, the amino acids found in eggs can help your skin to regenerate new cells so that it appears fresh and glowing.

That said, if you’ve ever wondered what the difference is between an omelet and a frittata, there are actually a couple of things. First, frittatas (which is means “fried” in Italian) usually consist of fillings that are put into the egg while it’s in the pan (rather than folded in the center like omelets are). Also, while omelets are designed to serve only one person, because frittatas are sliced into several pieces, it is able to feed a few people. And finally, frittatas are able to be enjoyed while they are hot or even at room temperature.

Now, with that breakdown out of the way—an egg frittata made this list because of some of the basic ingredients that are in one. Ingredients like milk (protein), tomato juice (antioxidants), bone broth (it promotes collagen production) and herbs like thyme leaves (they have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties) or veggies like spinach (it’s got vitamins A, C and E in it). When you cook all of these things together, it’s like having a delicious multivitamin; one that works wonders for your skin as well as your hair.

Try this Recipe: Basic Egg Frittata Recipe