Loss of Appetite

Loss of appetite is very common and may be caused by many factors. It is very important that you get the nutrients you need each day to help fight infection and to help medications work properly. Use these tips to help with poor appetite:

• Eat 5-6 small meals per day instead of 3 large meals.
  
  
• Do some light exercises to kick start your appetite. Try stretching, walking, lifting light weights, deep breathing.
  
  
• Eat your favorite foods. For example, drink a milkshake.
  
  
• Make mealtime more appealing, use candlelight, soft music, eat with others, watch TV.
  
  
• Keep snacks near you all day so you can continuously munch throughout the day.
  
  
• Treat your food like medication, eat by the clock.
  
  
• Speak with your health care provider about medications to help your poor appetite or speak with a dietitian to help with poor appetite.
  
  

Snack Ideas

• Tuna, peanut butter or cheese sandwich
• Cottage cheese and fruit
• Cheese and crackers
• Instant breakfast drink with milk
• Ice cream with topping
• Graham crackers with frosting/peanut butter
• Bagel with cream cheese
• Cereal with milk
• Yogurt
• Baked potato with cheese
• Muffin
• Eggnog and cookies
• Dried fruit and nuts
• Pudding with vanilla wafers

Fruit Salad Mixtures:

1. Cut apples, oranges, bananas, grapes and nuts blended with yogurt and a dash of cinnamon.
   
   
2. Orange section, pineapple and bananas with coconut sprinkled on top.
   
   
3. Grapes and strawberries mixed with brown sugar and sour cream.
   
   

For more specific questions on loss of appetite, contact Shannon Lunnen, the Nutritionist at Moveable Feast, 410/327-3420, ext. 34.