Top Tips For Pancakes To Help Boost Hair Health

Is there anyone who doesn't love Pancake Day? Try swapping the traditional lemon and sugar toppings for these virtuous versions this Shrove Tuesday to give your hair-health a boost.

The basics

A standard crepe-style pancake recipe for 8 servings consists of:

- 100g plain flour

- 2 eggs

- 300ml semi-skimmed milk

- 1 tbsp sunflower oil

- pinch salt

Eggs are a great source of protein and biotin, which produce keratin and sulphur to help prevent hair loss, so you're already off to a good start.

Sweet toppings

Strawberries and low-fat yoghurt:

Strawberries are packed with Vitamin C and folic acid. Vitamin C is important for maintaining hair. Adding some creamy low-fat yoghurt gives a calcium injection that not only helps fortify hair, teeth and bones, but also supports blood vessels and muscle functions. One serving of plain low-fat yoghurt generally contains 42% of the recommended daily allowance of calcium.

PBJ panackes:

If you prefer salty-with-sweet pairings, simply swap the yoghurt for peanut butter to make a classic American 'PBJ' (Peanut Butter Jelly) pancake, using fresh strawberries in place of the 'jelly' (jam). This healthier alternative is not only loaded with vitamin C, but peanuts are a top source of niacin which aids blood circulation in the scalp.

Pineapple, mango and kiwi:

These totally tropical toppings deliver a massive charge of vitamin C, with each of these fruits individually packing more vitamin C than an orange. Furthermore, mangoes also provide vitamin A which aids healthy sebum production in the scalp. Whilst the innards of two small Kiwi fruits are brimming with potassium which regulates the hair's pH balance, helping improve the hair's strength and condition, making it a key element in hair loss prevention.

Savoury toppings

Cottage cheese and baked beans:

Translate this traditional British baked potato filling to your pancakes for a jolt of protein from both the low-fat cheese and beans. Cottage cheese has the added benefit of being full of biotin, which is well-known for its hair growth benefits. Always check the labels and try to avoid the more sugary baked bean options as sugar can be harmful to hair health, plus there are plenty of reduced sugar alternatives available.

Grapefruit, spinach, onion and avocado:

For a fresh, Californian-style pancake, pack your crepe with this mix of superfoods. Add chicken or tofu for an extra protein punch that will help you feel fuller for longer in addition to helping to promote hair growth.

Grapefruit covers your vitamin C intake, whilst spinach, like other green vegetables, is a great source of iron and helps your blood circulation, ensuring nutrients are delivered to the scalp.

Despite a myth suggesting onions cure hair loss when applied to your head (they don't), including them in your diet is encouraged as they contain sulphur which can help increase blood circulation. Add avocados for a creamy taste with a side of B vitamins that contribute to healthy hair growth.

Black bean, peppers and chilli:

Take your crepe in a Mexican direction to turn your Pancake Day feast into a spicy, hair health fiesta! Red peppers contain more vitamin C than any other food, pair them with black beans for a delicious way to incorporate hair growth-boosting protein into your pancake, and season with fresh chili peppers boasting an impressive mineral content, including potassium, iron, and magnesium, as well as B-vitamins such as niacin, B1 and B6, which are all vital for good, strong hair growth.

Alternative options

We recently tried the sweet potato pancakes at The Diner in Spitalfields, near Belgravia's City of London clinic. Not only are these alternative stacks deliciously moreish and fluffy but sweet potatoes provide the highest naturally-occuring concentration of vitamin A, as well as being a great source of potassium. If you're visiting our hair loss clinic opposite Liverpool Street Station for a free consultation or clinical treatment session, we recommend you stop by to try them - Pancake Day or not!

If you feel your diet may be lacking in some of the vitamins and nutrients needed for hair health, taking a dietary supplement such as Hair Vitalics may help to improve the condition of your hair.