How to increase your appetite

Have you noticed that your appetite isn’t what it used to be? A slower metabolism and decreased activity levels may mean you need fewer calories than you once did. Alternatively, certain medical issues and medications may cause your appetite to shrink. Plus, your taste buds can change as you get older, making meals you once enjoyed seem bland and unappealing.

However, though there may be perfectly legitimate reasons for the reduction in your appetite, not eating enough can lead to significant weight loss and malnutrition. Here are a few ways to make meals more appealing and to get the calories and nutrients you need.

• Use spices and herbs. Try to avoid using excessive salt and sugar to improve taste, as these can be unhealthy.

• Eat with others. Some seniors find cooking for one difficult or lose their appetite due to depression or loneliness. If you’re faced with this issue, invite friends and family members to join you for meals. Alternatively, consider planning weekly meals with a church or community group in your area.

• Pack your meals with calories. A large plate of food may seem daunting when you’re used to eating small meals. Therefore, instead of upping your portion sizes, add nutrient- and calorie-dense foods to your meals and snacks like avocado, nuts, whole milk products and olive oil.

• Embrace finger foods. Do arthritis or shaky hands make using utensils difficult? If so, choose meals that can be eaten with your hands like sandwiches, fruit and pizza.

If none of these practices help, meal replacement drinks can provide you with the calories you need to flourish. It may also be a good idea to ask your doctor about appetite-enhancing medications.