“It’s not the right food, but your appetite that makes eating a delight.”  However, a desire to eat may be a distant dream for many let alone enjoying the food.  

Yes, a low appetite is just that. You may have experienced a lack of appetite at some point in your life. This syndrome left you with no urge of eating. (1)

Food is of utmost importance for the nourishment of your body. So, it’s vital that you know why you suffer a lack of appetite and how you can solve this problem.

When it comes to increasing your appetite for food, there are some natural appetite stimulants, right in your kitchen. You can use these easily available ingredients to address a low appetite effectively. (2)

In this article, you’ll know:

• The causes of appetite loss
• 13 natural appetite stimulants and lifestyle hacks for increasing your appetite

The Causes of Appetite Loss

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You may have an appetite loss for a multiple of reasons. It can be a short or long-term syndrome. Let us look at some of the common causes of appetite loss. (3)

• Emotional breakdown
• Mental depression
• Stressful events
• Hormonal imbalance
• Debilitating illnesses(influenza and anorexia nervosa)
• Certain medications (codeine, morphine, cold syrups, antibiotics, etc.)
• Eating disorders

The following home remedies and lifestyle hacks can naturally stimulate your taste buds and help your overcome appetite loss.

13 Natural Appetite Stimulants

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1.Homemade Lemon Syrup

Lemon as a citric fruit is an appetite stimulator. Its fragrance and flavor add more to the dishes and boost your appetite. (4) You can get hold of some common kitchen ingredients and mix them up with lemon juice to prepare the homemade lemon syrup.

Directions:

• Boil 1 liter of water and add ½ kg of sugar to it. Cook it on low flame until you get a thick syrup.
• Switch off the fire and allow the syrup to cool down.
• When the syrup is cold, add 1 liter of lemon juice and 2 teaspoons of vinegar to it.
• Mix all the ingredients well and store it in a container.
• You can consume 2 tablespoons of this syrup 3 times daily to increase your appetite.

2. Tamarind

Tamarind is a prominent ingredient in Ayurvedic practice. Apart from having an essential place in Indian cuisine, this tropical fruit has a long list of medical properties.

Tamarind pulp has a generous stock of iron, magnesium, potassium, and laxative. (5) That is why it is beneficial in enhancing your appetite and digestive functions.

Directions:

• Mix 10g of tamarind pulp with 1 cup of water and leave it for 10 minutes.
• Now strain the solution and add a pinch of salt and pepper to it.
• You can drink this tamarind juice twice daily for a week and crave for food again.

3. Coriander

This popular herb in Indian cuisine has a direct contribution in producing gastric enzymes. This way it can enhance your appetite for food. Coriander is also a potent remedy for indigestion and various stomach disorders. (6)

Directions:

• Blend ½ a cup of fresh coriander leaves and water to make coriander juice
• Drink the juice every morning on an empty stomach
• Repeat the treatment for a week to see good results.

4. Fennel Tea

Fennel tea comes from the crushed fennel seeds of Foeniculum vulgare or fennel herb.

This great variety of tea has excellent medical values. It contains vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that can effectively help your gastrointestinal and immune system. Fennel tea can enhance the production of bile from your liver and boost your appetite. (7)

Directions:

• Boil 3 cups of water and mix 1 teaspoon of fennel seeds powder in it.
• Remove it from the fire and strain.
• You can add a dash of lemon or honey with the tea and drink it twice a day.

Also Read: 14 Benefits of Fennel Tea You Don’t Want to Miss Out on

5. Ginger

Ginger isn’t just a great ingredient to flavor your non-veg dishes. It has medicinal properties in it that can boost your taste buds and promote appetite.

You can chew on a piece of ginger for its refreshing flavor and enhance your taste for food. Alternatively, a cup of ginger tea can kick start your day on an appetizing note. (8)

Directions:

• Boil 3 cups of water and mix 2 teaspoon of ginger paste in it
• Remove it from the fire and strain
• You may mix a little bit of honey or sugar to sweeten it
• Drink this tea twice a day to get hungry again

Also Read: 10 Health Benefits of Ginger Oil That You Should Know About

6. Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper or guinea spice is the red-hot chili pepper that you use to spice up your dishes.

But I bet you did not know it has an extraordinary contribution to enhancing your appetite.

Cayenne pepper can trigger the salivary glands to produce saliva and the metabolism of the body. Thus it helps to improve your appetite for food. (9)

Simply spice up your dishes with cayenne pepper and increase your appetite for food.

 

7. Peppermint 

Peppermint is another natural appetite stimulator. These menthol leaves are a great remedy for digestive disorders as well. (10)

You can chew on a few peppermint leaves or brew them with your tea to get back a raving stomach.

Also Read: 8 Reasons to Use Peppermint Oil for Hair

8. Foods with vitamin B

Vitamin B enriched food converts your food into energy. There are B vitamin supplements in the drug store, but you need to consult your doctor to take them.

However, you can always reach out for specific food items that are a natural store of vitamin B.

The research has shown that a lack of vitamin B in your body can lead to loss of appetite. Intake these vitamin B enriched food regularly to help your appetite:  

Cereals, milk, eggs, meat, fish, etc. (11)

9. Pomegranate Juice

You can resort to delicious pomegranate juice to boost your appetite. This royal-red fruit is full of vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals that can rejuvenate your taste buds. (12)

Directions:

• Mix 2 cups of pomegranate juice with 1 cup of milk and some honey for taste. Blend well.
• You can chill the juice in the refrigerator and drink it twice a day.

Some Lifestyle Hacks to Beat Appetite Loss

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A lower appetite can be a reason for your unhealthy and undisciplined lifestyle. It’s time you took control of your life and make the best out of it. The very first step to a better life is a healthy body.

So a good appetite for food is your primary concern to hack a good health. Below you’ll learn some lifestyle hacks that you should turn into your daily habits.   

10. Do Physical Exercise

Light physical exercise can go a long way in stimulating your appetite for food. Physical movements can burn the calories of your body and run the hungry wolfs in your stomach at the end of the day. (13)

Make a habit of regular physical exercise either in the morning or the evening. It can be as simple as taking a brisk walk in the park for 30 minutes. You should force yourself to eat foods that are high in carbohydrates and proteins while you are exercising.

11. Yoga

The ancient practice of yoga has a psychosomatic effect in your life. This physical cum spiritual practice can improve your life for the better in every sphere.

Yoga has its beneficial effect to remove stress, anxiety, mental breakdowns and boosting your metabolism. Thus, a daily ritual of yoga in the dawn for 30 minutes can stimulate your desire for food. (14)

You can begin with basic yoga lessons such as Surya Namaskar and pranayama or breathing exercise. A regular practice of these yogic postures will regulate your digestive health and improve appetite.

Also Read: 11 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Depression

12. Lead a Disciplined Life

A disciplined lifestyle is utmost essential to have a hungry stomach and eat well. Take control of your life and strike up a routine for your daily activities.

Don’t keep awake till late at night and wake up early in the morning to catch up with all other activities.

Cut down on untimely snacking, smoking and consuming tea or coffee. Do not skip the meals and have them in proper time. Lastly, lead a life of positive thinking.

13. Avoid Drinking Water Before Meals

Drinking water before and during the meals can affect your appetite. You may fill up your stomach with water and spoil the desire for food.

A study proves that the people, who drank 8 ounces of water before the meal, ate less compared to the ones who did not drink water.

You may consume water in sips during the meals but not too much of it. Drinking water after few minutes of finishing meals can also help in your digestion process.

Bottom Line

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When it comes to seizing a healthy living, there is no alternative to eating well and eating properly. A lower appetite can be the greatest block to your sound health. All the lifestyle hacks and natural appetite stimulants discussed above can help you solve this problem naturally.

You should seek a doctor’s help only when you are suffering from bulimia and anorexia and face severe symptoms.  

Let us know your experience of trying any of the remedies that you have learned from this article. Share your story in the comment section below.

Read Next: 18 Lifestyle Hacks to Overcome Your Adrenal Fatigue