While most of us have an excessive amount of skincare and haircare products, we tend to forget about our nails. We bite, scrape, scratch, and bang our nails into countless amount of things without realizing it. So it's important to keep our nails strong. Although under a tight student budget, not all of us can afford a regular mani-pedi session, but you can take matters into your own hands and start incorporating nail-strengthening foods into our regular diet. Here's what you should be eating to strengthen your nails.
Nuts
Think almonds, walnuts and other nuts that contain a substantial amount of omega-3. Almonds are probably the best choice as they contain the highest amount of Vitamin E, magnesium and calcium compared to the rest of the nuts. These minerals will help strengthen your bones and strengthen your nails, which will in turn prevent your nails from splitting.
#SpoonTip: Check out this nut infographic for a better understanding of what nuts you should be eating depending on what your body needs.
Salmon
Salmon is certainly one of the healthiest meats out there. It contains a high amount of Vitamin D, a vitamin that is found in both liver and fish oils, but most notably, an essential vitamin that helps with the absorption of calcium. This increased absorption of calcium means that salmon can help to stimulate bone growth and increase nail strength. So instead of opting for your regular red meat, have salmon for a change.
Yogurt
Skip the usual flavored yogurt and go for the unsweetened Greek yogurt. This is because, if chosen correctly, yogurt contains the usual nail strengthening minerals—protein, biotin, iron, magnesium, potassium, calcium and Vitamin D. The best part of it all is that yogurt is so versatile, you can have it in a variety of ways so you’ll never get sick of it.
Fruits and Vegetables
Beans, broccoli, bananas, and cauliflower are going to be your best friends. These foods contain high amounts of protein and biotin that support the production of keratin—the protein that helps make up your hair and nails. Biotin helps produce keratin that helps strengthen weak nails. It’s also important to eat a ton of fruits and vegetables as it helps hydrate your nails, keeping your nails looking polished and healthy.
Eggs
Want a non-meat alternative to salmon? Try eggs. Just like salmon, eggs are rich in protein and Vitamin D content. Eggs are also a great source of biotin. If that isn’t motivation enough, high protein foods like eggs can help weight loss by keeping you fuller for longer.
Sunflower Seeds
Besides being a perfect snack for long drives or late-night study sessions, these tiny, healthy snacks go a long way, as they're potent with vast amounts of minerals and nutrients. For your nails especially, sunflower seeds contain lots of magnesium that encourages the formation of solid nail growth. Try sprinkling some sunflower seeds on your regular meals for an extra boost of flavor and healthiness.
These foods are certainly not quick fixes, but it’s important to know you should be regularly eating these in order to see results. After a while, you’ll be looking for any excuse to show off your nails.