A healthy appetite

The energy your body needs to stay healthy comes from what you eat.¹¹ An increased appetite will help your body get the nutrients it needs to function and help prevent unintended weight loss.

Try these tips to increase your appetite¹¹:

• Enjoy your meals with friends or family

• Eat 5 or 6 small meals a day, especially if you get full quickly

• Fill up on your favorite foods or ethnic dishes

• Mix it up: preparing food with different textures and temperatures can make meals more appetizing

• Give yourself enough time to finish eating your meal

• Keep easy-to-prepare foods on hand for quick meals

• Keep high-calorie snacks on hand, like crackers with cheese or peanut butter

• Try walking or other light physical activities

• Keep track of your progress in a journal and write down your weight and what you eat on a weekly basis

• Also write in your journal how you feel during the day and share this with your healthcare provider

• Talk with your healthcare provider about medications that can help increase appetite