Healthy ways to increase appetite

• Try to increase your level of physical activity — gradually. Physical activity is known to have a positive effect on appetite. 

• Keep your kitchen stocked with easy to prepare or ready-to-serve, healthy meals.

• Prepare and cut fresh fruits or fresh vegetables in advance and have them handy when you are hungry.

• Eat at regular times during the day to stimulate your appetite and stabilize your body's hunger signals.

• Have what you like to eat. Keep your favourite foods on hand.

• Avoid smoking. It decreases appetite and modifies the taste and aroma of foods

• Use oral nutritional supplements (like Ensure) to round out your diet. They offer convenient and complete, balanced nutrition.

• Add nutritional supplements to your favourite Recipes.

• Include a good source of protein at every meal —add cheese, meat cubes or legumes to your favourite soup, for example.

• Add color to your plate. Foods of different colours will make your meal more appealing. Remember, food presentation and variety are essential to making eating more pleasurable.

• Try new foods and incorporate as much variety as you can in your daily menus.

• Eat in a peaceful and pleasant environment. Take the time to put down a tablecloth, use your favourite dinnerware and utensils, and perhaps put on some music at mealtime.
  

• Use herbs when you cook or add some to raw 
  

• food to enhance flavour and vary the taste.

• Try to eat 3 meals per day and add snacks if needed. Smaller, more frequent meals may help if you experience a decreased appetite.