Low appetite can be a frustrating problem for people who are underweight, or losing weight when they don’t want to. It can be difficult to keep weight on if a person is not hungry, food doesn’t taste good, or it’s difficult to cook a meal. No matter what the reason, getting adequate nutrition every day can make a big difference in how a person’s body works and how they feel. Consuming enough calories, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals helps to keep muscles strong and healthy, and the brain working at an optimal level.
Ways to ensure the body gets the daily nutrients it demands.
- Choose nutrient-rich foods: The less a person is able to eat, the more nutrient-dense the person’s meals should be. This means focusing on protein, healthy fat, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Empty calories like chips, baked goods, sugar-sweetened beverages and candy should be limited as they don’t provide the body with any nutrients
- Eat the biggest meal of the day when the appetite is highest: Starving at wake up time? This may mean breakfast is a larger meal, while dinner is smaller. Feeling hungriest after a lunchtime walk? Make lunch a bigger meal.
- Eat smaller meals more often: When appetite is low, large amounts of food can be a turn off. Instead of three large meals, break these into five or six mini-meals throughout the day.
- Limit beverages at meals: Avoid filling up on fluids while eating. Focus on food first, then have water, coffee, tea, etc after the meal. This will help to get all the nutrients from foods first, before filling up on liquids that are less nutrient-dense.
- Get nutrition from drink: If it seems easier to drink than eat, choose high protein high calorie beverages that help to meet daily nutritional requirements. Sip on milk, milkshakes, smoothies, soups, or high protein and calorie nutrition supplements like Fortiva RECOVER.
