If you are someone whose face lights up at the sight or mere thought of food, a loss of appetite can be particularly hard-hitting. Watching someone you love struggle with a lack of appetite can be frustrating too.

But what causes loss of appetite? It can be caused by a variety of reasons, ranging from physical illness to mental health struggles. Long-term loss of appetite could be due to medical conditions such as hypothyroidism, hepatitis, kidney or heart failure, cancer, or HIV. It can also be a result of microbial infection, pregnancy, or intake of certain medications. 

Loss of appetite, if left untreated, can leave you under-nourished, tired, and irritable and can even lead to unintended weight loss.

The treatment for reduced appetite depends on its cause, and your appetite will usually return as soon as the causative condition is treated. Let’s look at some home remedies to improve your appetite. 

Home Remedies For Loss of Appetite

1. Eat often in small amounts. Small meals eaten more frequently are easier on the stomach and add up over the course of the day to fulfil your nutrition needs. 

It may be difficult for you to eat three full meals when suffering from a loss of appetite. You can divide these meals into 6 or smaller meals spread throughout the day. Once your appetite starts improving, you can increase the portion size of these meals or add more ingredients to them. 

2. Consider meal replacement drinks. When loss of appetite makes it difficult to gain any nutrition from food, you may find it easier to drink high-calorie and nutritious drinks as a replacement for your meals.

Think of smoothies, milkshakes, and juices made with fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, dried fruits, and protein sources such as milk, yoghurt, or protein powder. 

3. Eat on a schedule. Normally, people get cues from their body when they are hungry. If you suffer from a loss of appetite, there might be no indications from your body that you should eat. At such times, you can schedule meal times throughout the day to eat. 

To remind yourself to eat, use external cues such as an alarm clock, a favourite TV show, the mealtime of a partner or other family members, break times at work or school, or the time you usually feed your pet.

4. Move more. Fresh air and light physical activity may stimulate appetite, so try to get outside and indulge in any exercise of your choice. Your body burns calories during exercise and it may increase your appetite to replenish the calories. 

Physical activity also influences your muscle mass, metabolic rate, and hormone production, all of which may indirectly stimulate hunger. Remember that it might take a few days of regular exercise before you see a difference in appetite. 

5. Choose wholesome and nutrient-dense foods. When bogged down by decreased appetite, food items such as candy, chips, pizza, ice cream, etc., may seem more appetising. Though these foods are calorie-rich, they provide very few nutrients.

Instead, choose foods that provide you with calories as well as nutrients like protein and healthy fats. You can opt for food items that include fresh cheese, full-fat milk, yoghurt, nuts, berries, dried fruits, potatoes, and avocados. 

6. Make eating more pleasurable. To make eating more enjoyable, cook your favourite foods and share a meal with your friends or family. Eating in the company of others may help stimulate your appetite.

7. Add herbs and spices to meals. Herbs and spices make your food smell and taste better and make it more appetising. 

Not only that, carminative (flatulence-relieving) herbs and spices such as fennel, black pepper, coriander, mint, ginger, and cinnamon can help reduce bloating, stimulate bile production, and improve your appetite. 

If your loss of appetite prolongs or does not return soon after recovering from an illness, it is best to consult a doctor to identify any underlying cause and find ways to boost your appetite. 


Disclaimer: This article is written by the Practitioner for informational and educational purposes only. The content presented on this page should not be considered as a substitute for medical expertise. Please "DO NOT SELF-MEDICATE" and seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns. Practo will not be responsible for any act or omission arising from the interpretation of the content present on this page.