9 Ways To Increase Your Appetite Naturally

Coriander is a commonly used herb in most Indian cuisines as it is known to treat indigestion. Coriander juice helps in the release of gastric enzymes, which, in turn, improves appetite. Coriander extracts helped increase appetite in rat studies (3). However, more studies are warranted on humans to understand the mechanism.

You Will Need

• ½ cup coriander leaves
• Water

What You Have To Do

1. Prepare fresh coriander juice by blending the leaves with water.
2. Drink this on an empty stomach.

How Often You Should Do This

Repeat this every alternate morning.

4. Fennel Tea

Fennel seeds act as appetite boosters in adults and children. They stimulate the production of bile by the liver, thus promoting digestion. Studies show that fennel seeds can enhance food consumption and motivation to eat in rats (4).

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
• ½ teaspoon fenugreek seeds
• 2-3 cups water

What You Have To Do

1. Boil the fennel and fenugreek seeds for a few minutes.
2. Strain and drink this tea.
3. You can add some honey or orange juice for taste.

How Often You Should Do This

Drink this tea 1-2 times daily.

Caution: Consult your doctor before using this remedy for toddlers and infants.

5. Ginger And Coriander

Ginger is perhaps the most widely used appetite stimulant. Ginger juice works wonders for poor appetite. The administration of a ginger beverage increased appetite and promoted weight gain in rats (5).

You Will Need

• Coriander seeds powder
• Dried ginger powder
• 100 ml of water

What You Have To Do

1. Mix coriander seeds powder and dried ginger powder in the ratio 5:1 to make up to a tablespoon altogether.
2. Add this mixture to the water and heat it until the volume of the water is reduced to almost half.
3. Take it off the flame and let it cool down a little.
4. Drink this mixture while it is warm.

How Often You Should Do This

Drink this herbal concoctionⁱ  XA mix of different herbs and ingredients, such as honey and ginger commonly used to treat diseases. every day.

6. Carom Seeds

Carom seeds are commonly used in Indian cooking to aid better digestion. Carom or ajwain, taken with lukewarm water once a day, will work wonders for your alimentary canal. Besides acting as an anti-flatulentⁱ  XMedications, also known as carminatives, which help relieve flatulence or excess gas from the intestine. and antacid, it also helps in the secretion of digestive enzymes that stimulate your hunger (6).

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon carom seeds
• A cup of warm water

What You Have To Do

Ingest the carom seeds with warm water.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this once during the day, preferably in the mornings.

7. Vitamins To Increase Appetite

B vitamins are commonly used to increase appetite in adults, toddlers, and infants. They help to release energy from food and promote a normal appetite. A deficiency of any of the B vitamins can cause poor appetite and unhealthy digestion (7).

The recommended intake of these vitamins depends not only on the age but also on other medical conditions of the person. Consult your doctor to test for any deficiencies that may be causing loss of appetite. If a deficiency is confirmed, supplementation with B vitamins is recommended to increase the appetite.

Note: Do not give any supplements to infants and toddlers without consulting a doctor.

8. Fish Oil Supplements

Studies show that fish oil supplementation may help increase appetite in both adults and children (8), (9). It also reduces bloating.

Note: It is important to consult your healthcare provider before taking these supplements or giving them to children.

9. Yoga Or Other Exercises For Appetite

Healthy exercise habits are the best way to regain a lost appetite. Yoga can help you to a great extent in this aspect. Practice yoga for 30-45 minutes every day for a healthy body and improved digestion. Some poses that can help to increase your appetite are:

• Surya Namaskar – This 12-step routine activates all the main muscle groups of the body and regulates all internal processes.
• Kapalbhati Pranayama – This breathing yoga exercise regulates digestion and increases appetite.
• Paschimottanasana – The Forward Bending Pose is good to relieve digestive problems and improve appetite.
• Pawanmuktasana – This pose helps eliminate constipation and other digestive problems, thus increasing your appetite.

A study analysed data from 1820 young adults who had completed the round of Project EAT (Eating and Activity in Teens and Young Adults) surveys. The participants were then interviewed regarding their perception of whether yoga influenced their eating habits and lifestyle. About 90% of participants said yoga had a positive impact on their eating habits while about 75% said that it positively impacted their physical activity levels.

Gaining better control over your daily routine can help a lot in improving your appetite. Sleep and wake up on time, exercise regularly, drink lots of water, avoid too much snacking between meals, follow proper meal times, and think positive.

Here are some medicines that can increase your appetite. However, talk to your doctor about the associated benefits and risks before taking these medicines.

Medicines To Stimulate Appetite

The medications listed below might help you get your cravings back. But these medicines should be taken only with the prescription of a doctor.

1. Megestrol Acetate

It is a synthetic derivative of progesterone. It is prescribed to boost appetite and treat anorexiaⁱ  XThe loss of appetite that mostly occurs as a symptom of serious diseases, such as cancer, AIDS, etc. or cachexiaⁱ  XAbnormal and rapid loss of muscle mass and eventually body weight that occurs as a symptom of chronic diseases. (unexplained significant weight loss caused due to chronic diseases) (10).

Caution: Megestrol acetate has side effects like loss of libidoⁱ  XThe sexual drive of a person or their desire to get involved in sexual intercourse, depending on biological as well as sociological factors. , flatulence, chest pain, etc. (11). Hence, do not self-medicate. Consult a doctor for the appropriate dosage.

2. Oxandrolone

Oxandrolone is a synthetic derivative of testosterone. It is prescribed to increase appetite and help you regain lost weight after surgery, chronic infection, or severe trauma (12).

Caution: Unregulated use of this drug can lead to life-threatening liver conditions (13).

3. Dronabinol

It is a form of synthetic cannabis. It is prescribed to treat loss of appetite caused in people with AIDS. It is also given to treat severe nausea caused by chemotherapyⁱ  XA widely used cancer treatment that employs strong chemicals to kill rapidly multiplying malignant cells. (14).

Caution: Possible side effects of this drug include raise in blood pressure, dizziness, mood swings, etc.(15).

Here are some tips you can follow to stimulate your appetite naturally.

Tips To Increase Your Appetite

1. Plan every meal – Have 6-8 small meals per day. Include nutritious and protein-rich foods in your diet.
2. Pick high-calorie foods – Add cheese, butter, milk, and other protein-rich foods to your meals.
3. Avoid low-calorie and fibre-rich foods.
4. Exercise regularly.
5. Drink protein-shakes daily.
6. Eat your favourite foods often.

These are some tips to increase your appetite. But are hunger and appetite the same? Let’s find out in the following section.

Difference Between Appetite And Hunger