Lost Your Appetite?

We all experience at loss of appetite at some point, especially after being ill and having a stomach upset.

So how do we encourage our stomach and minds to want food again?

One thing not to do is miss any meals thinking it will increase your appetite for at least one meal in the day. The trick is to eat around six small meals a day to stimulate the appetite twice as much as three substantial meal or none at all.

These meals should be of small quantities and light on the stomach, for example mashed bananas, yoghurt or scrambled eggs. To ensure you are getting the nutrients you need have high-calorie, high-energy foods or have as a smoothie for easier consumption.

Along with these type of foods you may want to take a multivitamin supplement to wake up a dull appetite. A lack of appetite is also a symptom linked to Zinc deficiency, as it is essential for your body’s normal function and development. Zinc can be found in steak, pumpkin seeds, brazil nuts and egg yolk. Most Zinc is lost when food is processed so you may want to take a supplement as you may not feel like eating an oyster or an 8oz steak which both give you the 15g of Zinc as part of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA).

Fresh air and gentle exercise will help improve normal day to day functions, a stroll around your local park will do wonders to perk up your appetite.

Make sure you are drinking plenty of water, take sips throughout the day, if you drink one or more glasses in one go this will make you feel fuller, especially just before a meal.

Cook food that smells and looks good to awaken your senses and hopefully your appetite.

Make the most of your meal times by being in a relaxed environment, without any distractions and I advise not eating in the room you have been spending your days ill in as this might make your loss of appetite worse.

I know when I’m at home alone and have a lot to do, I often lose track of time and forget to eat altogether. The best way to avoid this from happening is to keep a clock nearby or set alarms on your phone to remind you to eat. Sometimes we have so much to think about eating isn’t our top priority but in order to have enough energy we need to eat.

So make sure you are fuelling yourself up to succeed, even if it is just for finishing the housework.