Not Hungry? Here are Seven Ways to Boost Your Appetite

Hunger is an instinct in everyone. It is a means by which the body lets you know there is a need for food. Hunger is essential for everyone to refuel and be alive. However, people often lose the desire to eat, which signifies that something is off with their mental or physical well-being.

Various life issues like surgery, loss of a loved one, anxiety and stress, pregnancy, illnesses, etc., might make one lose appetite. As a result, knowing how to improve appetite can go a long way to keeping one healthy.

Even though there are medications that might help boost appetite, there is the possibility of side effects. As a result, knowing healthy and natural ways to boost appetite is essential. So, this article will explore seven ways one can stimulate the appetite.

·        Top Seven Ways to Boost Your Appetite:

1.      Ginger

This is one of the most common spices used worldwide in meal preparation. It also finds application in medicinal purposes, making it excellent for stimulating appetite and relieving indigestion. People also use ginger to relieve an upset stomach.

You have to add a teaspoon of ginger juice to a bit of water with a pinch of rock salt. Drink this portion for about an hour to your meals, and repeat for ten days. You can use raw ginger or ginger tea for this as well.

2.      Exercise before Eating

Living an active lifestyle directly links the appetite as it influences digestion. Hunger and exercise are closely related. When you exercise, you need energy, which comes from food. As a result, it primes the body to digest more food and demand more, leading to increased metabolism and bigger muscle mass.

According to the Journal of Endocrinology, one needs adequate exercise for optimum results and to influence appetite. Consider taking a walk and other light activities before your meal or if you are feeling unmotivated, Try joining a fitness class or exercising with a friend.

3.      Enjoy Your Mealtime with Others

In other words, make your mealtime a social activity that you will do with others. When you cook and eat with others, it can increase your desire to eat. Inviting loved ones over can make the process of eating pretty enjoyable.

Consider eating and watching your favorite TV show or game with your friends. The idea is to redirect your attention to no more extended focus on food. According to a study, eating with friends can boost your food intake by 18%, while eating and watching a program can increase it by 14%.

4.      Build Up some Anticipation

Appealing to other senses can come in handy when stimulating your appetite for the next meal. Go to food websites, Instagram, or Pinterest and scroll through mouth-watering pictures of cake, pizza, and other foods. According to a study, looking at food images can trigger ghrelin – the hunger hormone.

Another powerful stimulant is the scent. Almost everyone has gotten a tingling from their tummy after smelling a tempting meal. Consider lighting a candle that releases vanilla or any essential oil.

However, ensure the scent mimics what you want to eat. According to research, smell boosts the appetite for flavors that are sensory-specific. As a result, the most significant benefit comes when you sniff a scent similar to what you desire to eat. 

5.       Consider Cannabis

The cannabis plant can help people boost their appetite. Also, it can help people feel hungry. Cannabis seems to counteract certain effects of THC, which stimulates appetite in people, like delta 9 (marijuana).

It also boosts metabolism, aiding digestion so that you feel hungry quickly as it kicks ghrelin to work. To gain its therapeutic benefits, you can consider cannabis, gummies, oil, etc. Online or can also google the nearest dispensary to me.

6.      Reduce Your Fiber Intake

Digestion of fiber in the body is slow, as it is one of the food classes that makes people full. This makes it a bad option for people who desire to boost their appetite. To prevent fiber from messing with your appetite, reduce it and be smart with your meal intake. As a result, you might want to consider white rice, not brown rice, low fiber fruits, and veggies such as melons, bananas, stone fruits, etc.

The daily fiber recommended for an adult male is 38 grams and 25 grams for females. Consuming low fiber and lots of calories from whole foods will likely push you to the daily mark. You still need fibers for a balanced diet, so consider supplements only at the end of the day.

7.      Make Your Meals Small

To improve your appetite, stay away from three full meals each day. People struggling with their appetite should not finish a massive meal at a time as it might seem like a huge task that will sap their motivation. As a result, your focus should be on small meals frequently as it appears achievable.

To boost your appetite, consider eating small meals at regular intervals. Such snacks might not give any serious nutritional value. Also, snacking between meals might not be a good idea, except for people seeking to lose weight.

Conclusion