Whip Up That Appetite!
You are what you eat. Diets, slimming teas, exercise, low calorie foods – millions fight a daily battle with their obesity with these weapons. Still, there are few at the other end of the binging spectrum who struggle with a loss of appetite. For these people, it is a distant dream to remember what a strong desire or urge to eat feels like.
Causes of Low Appetite:
Loss of appetite can be caused temporarily or in the long run by a variety of factors. Emotional distress, eating disorders, depression, hormonal imbalance, breakdown of relationships and debilitating illnesses are some of the leading causes of a poor or absent appetite. Here are some simple home remedies for increasing appetite in children and adults (or you could go the easy way and learn to cook better!)
Home Remedies for Increasing Appetite
1. Figs:
Dried or fresh, this fruit is a best home remedy to increase appetite. Dates also work the same way in enhancing an appetite. Both figs and dates are a part of weight gain diets and help stimulate appetite. Add a few to your salad to make it more interesting.
2. Lime/Lemon:
Aromatic, light and delicious – lime juice consumed as it is or squeezed over fresh fruits or salads enhances the appetite. We do not need to enlist the several ways of consuming lime, do we? If in doubt on how to consume lime or lemon, simply make yourself some lemonade and drink up a glassful each morning. Add a dash of honey to enhance the taste and appease your taste buds.
3. Tamarind:
Pulp of tamarind is a well known laxative and taste enhancer used in many south Indian dishes. Make sure you add plenty of it in your curries. The tamarind pulp also proves useful in improving the reduced appetite.
4. Garlic:
Garlic, if used in the boiled form can improve your appetite greatly. The good thing is that it will also improve your oral health, as you will brush your teeth to get rid of that garlicky odor for sure! Two birds with one stone, eh?
5. Coriander:
Coriander is a commonly used herb in most of the Indian cuisines (though, I dislike it with all my heart) as it is known to cure indigestion. You can also gulp down a glass of freshly prepared coriander juice on an empty stomach each morning. Coriander juice helps in the release of gastric enzymes which in turn improve appetite.
6. Black Pepper:
Black pepper kernels ground in jaggery or taken with honey act as a taste stimulant. Black pepper helps in the secretion of gastric juices and the piperine present in it aids the absorption of important minerals by the body.
7. Carom Seeds:
Carom seeds are another common ingredient used in Indian cooking. Carom or ‘ajwain’ taken with lukewarm water once a day will work wonders for your entire alimentary canal. Besides acting as an anti-flatulent and antacid, it also helps in the secretion of digestive enzymes that will naturally stimulate your hunger.
8. Ginger:
It is perhaps the most widely used appetite stimulant. Ginger juice added to meals works wonders for a poor appetite. Besides, it also gives the added benefit of a strong immune and digestive system. You can also incorporate ginger as an ingredient in your ‘bhuna masala’ or simply chew an inch of ginger each morning.
9. Pomegranate Juice:
Though this one is not one of my favorites, it surely has helped many regain a healthy appetite. This ruby-red fruit, loaded with antioxidants and vitamins, makes a great rejuvenating drink. It also enhances the appetite naturally. Fresh pomegranate juice with honey works wonders for those lacking appetite.
10. Healthier Habits:
Last but not the least, healthy habits are the best way to win back that lost appetite. Gaining a better control over your daily routine can help tremendously in improving the reduced appetite. Sleep and awake on time, exercise regularly, drink lots of water, avoid too much snacking between the meals, follow proper meal times and think positive, are the key points to follow in order to gain back your lost appetite.
Loss of appetite may have many causes but it can be remedied. However, one must seek a doctor’s help if displaying alarming symptoms of anorexia or bulimia. These are medical conditions that will not go away by home-made remedies or solutions.
For those of you, who are simply facing a loss of appetite, try some of these very basic home remedies to increase appetite. You may even mix and match some of them to see which works the best for you. The best part about them – none of them have any side-effects. So, enjoy eating and let us know your feedback in the comments section below.
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