Nutrition for Healthy Nails: Your Nails Are What You Eat
Planning nutrition for nails can help you get on the path towards greater total health. Most people know that dietary choices can have a radical effect on one’s appearance, and that looking and feeling in the pink is largely a result of making smart diet choices. If you notice that your nails look or feel less than strong, it may be time to change your eating habits.
Few people are aware of the fact that the health of your nails can serve as a great barometer of how your nutritional choices are affecting your general health. Nails that crack or break easily, or that develop strong vertical lines or ridges can indicate nutrition problems. Eating right to take care of your nails can help you eat right to take care of your whole body.
Pumping Iron: Why You Need It, And Where To Get It
Keeping enough iron in your diet is an important part of planning nutrition for nails as well as for your blood and your entire circulatory system. If you notice that your nails are brittle, or have developed vertical ridges, your body may be suffering from lower than optimum iron intake. Evaluate your diet choices to make sure you are including enough iron rich foods like whole grains, liver, prunes, molasses, and leafy greens like kale. The next time you break a nail, try having an iron-heavy snack like whole wheat cereal sprinkled with wheat germ, or a handful of pumpkin seeds. Of course, although iron is an important part of healthy nails, it isn’t the only part of the nutrition for nails equation.
The Power Of Protein: Do You Need It
Nail problems are sometimes a sign of protein deficiency, so if you have cracking or breaking, evaluate your diet to see if you are including adequate protein sources. Animal products like meat and cheese have traditionally been thought of as the best protein sources, but science tells us that vegetarian protein sources may actually be more nutritionally beneficial because they contain less saturated fat than meat or dairy products. Beans and legumes are rich in protein, but are also very lean, making them a great part of any nutrition for nails plan.
Putting It All Together: Making Smart Meal Choices
Combining iron and protein in your meals is a great tactic to help grow stronger, healthier nails. Try chowing down on a bean and spinach burrito in a whole wheat tortilla, or grab a snack of whole wheat bread and nut butter sprinkled with wheat germ. Making nutrition choices to support your nail health can be a smart way to build an eating plan.
