Whether it’s a hearty breakfast, a salty snack, or a succulent sweet dessert, eating is a universal pastime and a constant reminder of what makes us human.
Most of the time, we don’t have to think twice about our love of food. It tastes delicious, it gives us energy — what’s not to love?
That’s exactly why it can be so confusing and frustrating when your appetite disappears. All of a sudden, your eyes and stomach don’t look at food in the way they used to.
While there are many factors that could lead to a lack of appetite, we still need to feed our bodies with the energy they crave.
If you’re wondering how to increase your appetite, read on to learn four top tricks and techniques to help you fall back in love with eating.
Make Each Plate a Work of Art
Our taste buds aren’t the only ones helping us to fall further in love with food. Our nose and eyes have a big part to play, too!
Much of our perception of food is determined not only by smell and taste but also by sight.
Picture this:
You’re sitting in a bustling restaurant waiting for your food when the waiter sets down your order of tacos. The tortillas are perfectly charred, the meat sizzles under gooey, melted cheese, and the veggies are crunchy and fresh. Mmm.
Now take that same taco and flip it upside down so the contents spill out in a crumbly mess. It’s all the same ingredients. It’s the same taco.
But which one would you want to eat?
Paying special attention to how you plate your food can be incredibly important in increasing your appetite. In general, the tastier it looks, the tastier it will be.
Divide Your Meals
Tackling a tall, heaping plate of spaghetti can feel like climbing a mountain. Eating a small bowl of butter noodles? That’s a bit more manageable.
We find it much easier to tackle small, bite-size goals rather than scaling a mountain every day. Breaking up your eating throughout the day is the perfect way to get back on track and help your poor appetite gradually return to past levels.
This tip can be especially useful if you’re wondering how to increase appetite in your child, as children can feel especially threatened by a big plate when their stomachs aren’t exactly eager.
Instead of going for the traditional three-meal structure, opt for five or six smaller meals evenly spaced throughout the day.
Whip up a light yogurt parfait just after waking and have a small brunch of sunny-side-up eggs and buttered toast. For lunch, opt for a leafy tuna salad sandwich followed up with a hot bowl of chicken noodle soup a few hours later.
Lemon-roasted salmon and asparagus make a hearty, nutritious dinner. As a reward for eating so well throughout the day, serve yourself a rich slice of creamy chocolate cake and start planning the delicious eats you’re going to treat yourself to tomorrow.
Delicious, Bold-Tasting Foods
To help your body gain the calories and nutrients it needs, look toward energy-dense foods that are packed with delicious, bold flavors. Not only do these taste absolutely mouthwatering, but they replenish your body with energy to tackle whatever life throws at you.
Cheddar cheese is chock-full of energy, offering over 100 calories per ounce, and makes a great, standalone snack. Greek yogurt is packed with protein and rich, creamy flavor. It tastes even better when combined with crushed walnuts, toasted granola, and sweet honey.
Another great energy-dense option is theEATBar, a delicious bar layered with creamy, melt-in-your-mouth meringue and designed for those with eating troubles. This convenient bar requires minimal chewing and each bite bursts with scrumptious, creamy flavor.
Coming in four unique flavors like bittersweet lemon and decadent dark chocolate, anEATBar a day is a surefire recipe to reignite your long-standing love of food.
Invite Friends and Family
There’s no better way to reconnect than by breaking bread.
Sharing food amongst new friends and long-term loved ones is a fantastic way to bring a bit more appetite into your life. Not only does it give us an opportunity to catch up, but it surrounds us with others filled with a strong desire to eat.
After all, humans are social animals. We take cues and model our behavior from those around us. In fact, one study demonstrated that eating with friends could increase your eating by up to 18%!
Surround yourself with friends and family who cherish food and look forward to each new bite. It might be just the push your body (and brain) needs on the journey to falling back in love with eating.
Host a wine and cheese night, bonding over the familiar rinds and bolder blues that might be just outside of your taste buds’ comfort zone. Even if you require a special diet or diet modifications, you can easily find a snack that helps you fit — the EATBar is a convenient, portable snack you can take with you wherever you go.
Curl up on the couch with a sweet bowl of cereal and hot chocolate and watch a Christmas classic with the family. Invite an old friend over to test out a new casserole recipe, catch up as you cook, and enjoy the fruits of your labor as you dig in.
Transforming an ordinary meal into an event and an opportunity to catch up with the ones your treasure is a great reminder of what food is all about — infusing each new day with a bit more joy than the last.
Reignite Your Appetite With theEATBar
Eating is more than energy. It’s an experience we can relive over and over again.
Our favorite foods can fill us with nostalgia while new ones can bring us a sense of adventure.
Unfortunately, when our appetite wanes (whether it be for social-emotional or medical reasons), it can feel like we’re missing out. It’s important to remember that everybody goes through periods where their hunger sneaks off. The key is simply to adjust, adapt, and experiment with your eating habits until you find a pattern that works for your specific needs.
That’s exactly why we created theEATBar. We felt that those with eating troubles needed a consistent, delicious snack to truly look forward to every day. With our four unique, mouthwatering flavors, there’s always an EATBar for every mood.
To get a jumpstart on reigniting your appetite, use our code BLOG15 to receive 15% off your order!