Most often than not, you see people seeking advice online on how to lose weight, or what kinds of diet can successfully yield results within the least amount of time. In fact, unless you deliberately search for topics related to the opposite of weight loss, such as increasing the appetite, you’re not likely to come across it instantly.
The fact of the matter, however, is that when it comes to weight issues, there are always two sides to every scale. One may more favorably lean to the side of weight loss, but the other points to weight gain. It may not sound as controversial as being overweight, but there are, in fact, some 1.5% of American adults (20 years old and above) that have been found to be underweight.
When Less is Not More
The problem with being underweight isn’t just that you’re not hitting a healthy, sustainable number on the scale. The bigger problem is that you are underweight because you are not eating enough, which means your body is not receiving the proper amount and kinds of nutrition it needs to function optimally on a day to day basis.
There are many factors that could affect your eating habits, ranging from physical conditions to mental illnesses. Regardless of what might be causing your loss of appetite, the focus should be on what other nutrients is your body missing out on because you’re not eating right. Without a well-balanced meal, you might end up suffering from malnutrition, on top of other more serious conditions.
Tips for Increasing the Appetite
To ensure that your body is getting the right kind of foods to fuel it throughout the day, here are some helpful tips you can use for increasing the appetite.
Complement Your Diet with Supplements
Increasing your appetite may require more than simply convincing yourself of the importance of eating the right kinds of food at the right time. To better improve your chances, take multivitamins that specifically help boost appetite.
These include vitamin B, Zinc, and Omega-3 fatty acids. According to studies, a deficiency in vitamin B-1 has direct causation to appetite and weight loss. It follows, therefore, that if you are experiencing appetite loss, taking vitamin B-1 can counter that.
Meanwhile, zinc deficiency usually leads to changes in taste perception, which can result in appetite loss. You also tend to heal a lot slower without the right amount of zinc. Adding zinc supplements to your diet, therefore, can help stimulate your appetite.
As for Omega-3 fatty acids, this can be easily gotten from fatty fish, such as salmon, and fish oil. Certain research studies propose that Omega-3 fatty acids can actually improve and increase appetite.
Set Up Your Appetite
What this means is that you have to “hype” food up so you’ll have an improved appetite. Snacking is actually a great way to sneak those calories in, but only as long as they are from healthy food options. If you must snack, snack on healthier alternatives, like fruits and nuts.
Keeping a schedule also helps. It may prove challenging to reframe your mindset when it comes to your eating habits, but with consistent practice, you’ll be able to achieve it.
Prep Your Meals
If you want to be sure you’re getting the right amount of nutrients, try preparing your meals yourself. Don’t forget to load it up with the supplements that can further help increase your appetite. It would also be good if you consult with your doctor or nutritionist to help you come up with a meal plan that can help increase your appetite so you can eat well.