How I Sabotaged My Hair and Skin: A Personal Journey of Poor Nutrition and the Road to Recovery

I have a confession!

I know this may come as a shock, but this past year has been highly stressful and has taken a toll on my well-being. While we have been running Potions for everyone else's well-being, I have neglected myself, and the side effects? Weight gain, hormonal acne, a scary amount of hair loss, and not to mention a massive KP flare-up.

I had forgotten my rituals and had thrown away any healthy ideals I ever had and gotten comfortable with the easy way out with the 'gorengs', the kopi pengs and the usual rice and curry. Not to mention the midnight snacks to go with the 3am content writing. I began to lose myself. 

This week, I looked in the mirror and did not recognise myself. The horror! Who was this person staring back at me? It wasn't my best self, and oh, how I have lost confidence in myself. The face mask has become my security blanket, and I shy away from people who might look and point with their eyes! I cried myself to sleep, and when I woke up in the morning, I knew something had to change for me to change.

So I told my sister that I was done feeling sorry for myself, and it was time to do something. Number one on the list was to clear out the junk in my fridge and delete the delivery apps on my phone because, Lord knows, they make you lazier and cancel out the need to cook healthy meals. Number two, grocery shopping!

This morning, we went to the grocery store and stocked up on food to help me reset my bad behaviour, get healthy, and be happy! It took a lot of energy to cut out the things that were not nutritional, and there was a lot of slapping my hand away from the "good stuff." By that, I mean my stress-eating staples: zero-sugar soda, anything with carbs, and basically things made out of sugar.

This is what we bought : Week 1

(1) Purple Powerhouse

 

Purple vegetables like purple cabbage, purple carrots, and beetroot. These veggies are rich in antioxidants that help protect hair follicles from damage caused by free radicals. This means that consuming these purple powerhouses can help prevent hair loss and promote healthier hair growth.

 

(2) Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are a rich source of iron, copper, potassium, magnesium and beta-carotene. Beta-carotene aids cell growth, prevents hair thinning and can even reduce dullness in hair. They also have antioxidant properties, which may help reduce hair loss due to oxidative stress.

(3) Flaxseed
Flax seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. This polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) helps lower inflammation in the body, which can help reduce hair loss and hair weakness.
(4) Spinach & Green Leafy Vegetables
Green leafy vegetables like bok choy and spinach are also amazing for hair health. They contain vitamins A and C, which help produce sebum, the natural oil that lubricates and protects the scalp. Additionally, they are packed with iron, which is essential for healthy blood flow and oxygenation to the hair follicles.

 

 

(5) Berries & Oranges
Not only delicious but also loaded with vitamin C, which is essential for collagen production. Collagen is a protein that makes up the hair shaft and helps prevent hair breakage and split ends. Consuming these vitamin C-rich foods can also increase the absorption of iron from plant-based sources, which is important for healthy hair growth.

I'm trying to cut out processed sugars and sugary drinks from my diet. Consuming too much sugar can cause inflammation in the body, which can lead to hair loss and thinning.

However, old habits die hard, and I tried to sneak in some sugary goodness during my grocery run with my sister.

I reached for a bag of sugar, thinking I could sneak it into the cart without her noticing. But alas, my sneaky plan was foiled when my sister caught me in the act and gave me a disapproving look.

It's important to remember that the changes we make today will impact our health and well-being in the long run.

So, I want to encourage you all to be patient and not be too hard on yourselves. It's okay to have slip-ups and indulge in our favourite treats once in a while. The key is to strive for progress, not perfection.

Remember, you are not alone on this journey. If you need support or guidance with your hair diet, don't hesitate to reach out to us!

P.S : I will keep you updated on my progress, stay tuned! 

Love,
Sharmini Joy Ramani 

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