Poor appetite and loss of appetite are the leading causes of malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies. Poor appetite or lack of appetite is characterized by not having the desire to eat or a low desire for foods and eating.
There are many factors that can lead to loss of appetite and they are illnesses and diseases, mental problems, depression, emotional problems, hormonal imbalance, eating disorders, and other factors.
If loss of appetite happens for a number of days, it can lead to weaknesses, fatigue, and weight loss. It also leads to malnutrition and other complications and diseases caused by malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies in the body.
Lack of appetite is very frustrating, but there are natural ways we can boost appetite and increases the nutrients in the body. It also helps prevents the harm and damages caused by low levels of nutrients or a complete lack of nutrients in the body.
Below are effective natural ways to boost your appetite and improve your health.
Natural Ways to Treat Loss of Appetite
Don’t Skip Breakfast
Breakfast increases your appetite and boosts your metabolism. It increases your food intake and this, in turn, will increase your overall health because your body won’t be lacking in vital nutrients.
Breakfast also helps your body burn fats faster and this will increase your appetite and make you eat more foods. If you have a low or poor appetite, try and make breakfast compulsory, and also try and have regular meals during the day even if it is in little amount.
The pulp of tamarind is a natural and effective remedy for bad appetite. It is also a well-known natural laxative and it enhances the taste of foods and drinks when added to it.
It also enhances smooth and proper digestion of foods and prevents digestive problems.
Get fresh tamarind and soak some in water for few hours, and then you strain it, add a pinch of black pepper or cayenne pepper and you can also add salt for taste but this is optional.
Drink this infusion, you should also try and drink it on an empty stomach in the morning after soaking it in water overnight. Do this every day and you will start feeling hungry and your intake of foods will increase.
This fruit and its juice are loaded with antioxidants, vitamins and powerful phytochemicals that boost appetite naturally. It also boosts appetite in little children and toddlers.
Juice fresh pomegranates and add raw honey to it and drink. Drink at least a glass every day. You can also take pomegranate capsules or supplements.
This herb fights indigestion and loss of appetite. It helps the body release digestive enzymes, and this, in turn, will improve appetite. Get fresh coriander leaves and blend them with a half cup of water or more.
Take this on an empty stomach every morning for a few days. This will improve your appetite and boost your food intake.
This is a stimulant for the digestive system and it also increases appetite. It is a natural antacid and anti-flatulent, it helps in the production and secretion of digestive enzymes and this improves appetite in turn.
Every morning, ingest one teaspoon of carom seeds along with a cup of warm water. Do this every day and your appetite will be restored to normal.
This effectively boosts appetite in little children and adults. This aids the production of bile and this enhance smooth digestion and which, in turn, boosts appetite.
Add a tablespoon of fennel seeds and half tablespoon of fenugreek seeds to 3 cups of water and boil the solution. Strain it and add raw honey or unsweetened orange juice. Take this tea when warm.
Do this twice daily, in the morning and at night.
Ginger root is a common and one of the most effective stimulants for appetite. To boosts a very poor appetite, fresh ginger root is crushed and juiced and this juice is given to the patient.
To make ginger more effective in boosting appetite and to see quicker results, combine it with coriander. This combination is a strong appetite stimulant and one of the most effective home remedies for a poor appetite.
You can make use of fresh ginger root or dried ginger powder. Mix ginger and coriander seeds and boil it in water till the volume is reduced by half. Let it cool, and then you take the solution.
Do this once every day.
Cayenne pepper effectively stimulates the digestive system and it enhances digestion and prevents digestive problems. Hot pepper also boosts metabolism and increase appetite, thus, it is a great remedy for a low appetite.
Increase your intake of hot peppers. You can add them generously to your meals and you can also add a teaspoon of the powder to a cup of warm water and drink.
Peppermint leaves revive a poor or low appetite. Anytime you are struggling with eating and you want to boost your appetite, you can drink peppermint tea. You can use either the fresh or dried leaves. You can also inhale peppermint essential oil.
Boil some tablespoons of peppermint leaves in a jar of water, then strain it and drink it occasionally throughout the day. This is an effective remedy for a low appetite.
Eat Nutrient-dense Foods and Eat Regularly
If you are unable to eat due to very poor appetite, then the little foods you manage to eat should be very nutritious and dense in vital nutrients that your body needs.
This, in turn, will boost your appetite and prevent malnutrition and the complications that it brings along. Eat organic fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, proteins, and whole grains.
A large amount of food is a huge turn off for people with bad appetite; smaller meals eaten at regular intervals are better than three large meals. 7 or more mini-meals a day is ideal for someone with a low appetite.
It is also advisable to eat the largest meal of the day when you feel hungriest most. If it is breakfast or dinner that you feel hungriest, eat your largest meal at that time.