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Foods that can affect hair loss

Some foods may have a measurable effect on hair loss and hair health in some people.

Please note that some foods which affect hair loss may also mildly affect hormone levels. See the diet and exercise page for more details.

Foods to eat

  • Meat (especially red meat)
  • Fatty seafood (tuna, salmon, trout, pollock, herring, shrimp, oysters, mussels, anchovies, sardines, swordfish, mackerel)
  • Eggs
  • Berries
  • Spinach
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Avocados
  • Nuts (almonds)
  • Seeds (sunflower, flax, chia)
  • Beans
  • Soybeans
  • Sweet peppers

Foods to avoid

High glycemic index foods

  • Watermelon
  • Honey
  • Doughnuts
  • French fries
  • White Rice
  • Cereals
  • Millet
  • White bread
  • Cheerios
  • Pumpkin
  • Instant oatmeal
  • Rice pasta
  • Parsnips
  • Corn syrup
  • Table sugar
  • Soda
  • Puffed rice

High selenium foods

  • Brazil nuts
  • Fish (Yellowfin tuna, sardines, oysters, clams, halibut, shrimp, salmon, and crab)
  • Pork / Ham
  • Enriched foods (pastas, whole wheat breads, and whole grain cereals)
  • Beef (steak and liver has more than ground beef)
  • Turkey
  • Chicken
  • Cottage cheese
  • Eggs
  • Brown rice
  • Sunflower seeds
  • Baked beans
  • Mushrooms
  • Oatmeal
  • Spinach
  • Milk and yogurt
  • Lentils
  • Cashews
  • Bananas

See my hair loss recommendations for more ways to manage your hair loss.