It can be pretty tricky to know how to increase your appetite because hunger occurs naturally. As a result, stimulating it might pose some challenges. When someone loses interest in eating, it might indicate that something is off in their system.
Many things could be responsible for a loss of appetite. It could be medications, treatment, underlying illness, stress, anxiety, etc. While doctors prescribe medicines for people, there is concern about possible side effects. This calls for a more sustainable approach, like lifestyle changes, adjustment of meal choices, etc., to improve appetite.
Sadly, forcing yourself to eat might not be a terrific solution. Even if you don’t feel like eating, you can engage various tips to spur ghrelin – the hunger hormone into action. For everyone looking for a safe and effective means to boost their appetite, this article will explore some tested means:
5 Best Ways to Increase Appetite:
1. Consider Supplements to Stimulate Your Appetite
Poor appetite can be traced to low levels of some nutrients in the body. One typical example is zinc – the mineral responsible for various body functions like repairing damaged body tissues, building a robust immune system, and digesting protein.
People without enough zinc will have issues with taste and appetite. It is pretty standard in adults in the age range of 50 and above. As a result, supplements with these nutrients can boost the desire to eat and fuel your appetite.
Vitamin B1 or thiamine is another natural stimulant for appetite. According to research, deficiency of this nutrient can reduce appetite. Thiamine is primal to carbohydrate metabolism, nerve signaling, and digestion of carbs. Also, thiamine is present in various food items like meat, egg, legumes, and some vitamin supplements.
2. Consider Weed
Some weed strains are notorious for stimulating appetite and triggering hunger in people. Over the years, many people who smoked cannabis reported increased feelings of hunger, popularly called the munches.
When cannabis gets into the body (via smoking or ingesting), it stimulates the CB1 receptors in the brain responsible for hunger. The receptors trigger a hormone that increases your quest for food. Also, cannabis research suggests that it might trigger the release of ghrelin – a hormone in charge of hunger.
Cannabis is available in various strains, and some are well known for stimulating appetite. If you are wondering, the strongest strain of weed? Click here for suggestions that you can use to boost your appetite.
3. Create Anticipation
When you lose your appetite, you will hardly look forward to eating, let alone meal time. However, engaging various senses besides food can help, particularly when stimulating appetite. You can do this in some ways, as explored below:
Visit food websites like Instagram, food blogs, and Pinterest with tantalizing pictures of delicacies. According to a study, looking at such pictures can go a long way to activate ghrelin – the hormone in charge of hunger.
Food scent matters as well and is a powerful stimulant. When you perceive an inviting meal, it triggers a desire to feed on the meal. As a result, look for something that can mimic the scent of the food you want.
According to a study, the senses can appeal to an appetite for flavors specific to the senses. This means that you get the best benefit when you inhale something similar to what you want to eat.
4. Concentrate on Nutrient-Rich Food
It is common for people with a poor appetite to feast on junk like candies, ice cream, chips, and other unhealthy foods. Such foods lead to weight gain, giving the false idea of healthy eating.
While such food types could be inviting and high in calories, they hardly contain all the required and essential nutrients. As a result, you will barely get any tangible health benefits.
On the contrary, one should concentrate on foods that supply optimum calories, alongside other nutrients like healthy fats and protein. Also, consider healthy replacement of such unhealthy foods. For instance, Greek Yoghurt garnished with cinnamon and berries will be a healthy replacement for ice creams.
Also, consider homemade pizza rather than ordering one. Garnish it with nutritional additions like vegetables, and sprinkle some nuts for added nutrients. The idea is to reduce or completely replace the consumption of empty calories with healthy food choices.
5. Consume Abundant MCT Oil
MCT oil has found application in various diet types like paleo and keto. This substance is rich in fat and can bring the metabolism online. According to research, MCT oil can boost the appetite as it triggers the release of ghrelin – the hormone that stimulates hunger.
Another appetite stimulant is caffeine, so starting your day with a cup of coffee can boost hunger and fuel your desire to consume healthy meals for the day.
MCT oil comes with medium-chain triglycerides which are healthy for metabolism and the digestive system. According to a study, This substance contains short-chain fats, which digest easily compared to other fat. As a result, it reduces people’s heaviness after consuming a meal rich in fat. Also, there are speculations that MCT oil could make one weigh down or the excess grease content. You can add MCT oil to coffee, a spoonful or two to cereals, your salad dressing, etc.
Conclusion
Many things happen that might make one lose one’s appetite. It could be illness, stress, anxiety, or medication. However, knowing how to stimulate the appetite is vital to health and optimum well-being. This article has explored five tested ways in which one can improve the appetite.