When the body is running low on fuel, feeling of appetite and hunger develop. However, that is not the only thing that regulate the levels of hunger. It is also controlled by factors like a drop in blood sugar levels or an increase in certain hunger hormones. The hypothalamus of the brain controls your appetite and hunger. However, there might come times when you do not feel hungry at all. Here are a few reasons for not feeling hungry and when you should start worrying.

Anxiety

If you are anxious, your flight and fight response releases certain hormones that slow digestion and appetite. If you suffer from an anxiety disorder, you may also have symptoms like nausea which also affects your hunger.


Depression

Depression can lead to long term loss of hunger. Studies have found that depression affects certain parts of the brain that monitor the physiological state of the body, which includes your appetite and hunger.

Stress

Stress can lead to nausea and indigestion that can have a negative impact on your appetite. Your appetite is also influenced directly depending on the type of stress. Acute stress, the one that activates the fight and flight response is thought to have a more direct and sudden impact on your desire to eat


Illness

Illnesses like the flu or a stomach bug can also cause loss of appetite. Respiratory illnesses also block your sense of smell which causes the food to seem unappetizing. These illnesses also come with symptoms like nausea which has an impact on your appetite.


Pregnancy

Pregnancy commonly leads to problems like decrease in hunger and also aversion from certain foods. Nausea and heartburn during pregnancy can also make it difficult to sense hunger correctly.

Medications

Loss of appetite is seen as a side effect for a lot of medicines that include antibiotics. Antihypertensives and also sedatives. They are often accompanied by side effects like fatigue and nausea. Radiation and chemotherapy used to treat diseases like cancer also has adverse effects on your appetite.

When does it become important to see a doctor?

It is not always that a loss in appetite is a cause for concern. However, is your loss of hunger is accompanied by any of these symptoms, then you must seek professional help.

• Not being able to eat for extended periods of time

• Frequent feeling of nausea

Here is how you can stimulate your appetite

Here are some ways you can stimulate your appetite if you are not feeling hungry too often


Flavorful delicious meals

It is helpful to cook food with a number of different herbs and spices. The more flavorful your meal is, the more likely is it for your appetite to be stimulated. This way your senses look forward to eating and tasting the food.

Smaller meals with more calories

Do not force yourself if you are not hungry. Instead, eat smaller meals that are packed with calories so that you are able to fulfill your body’s energy requirement.

Eat what you love

Sometimes, it is important to just eat whatever your body is asking for at the moment. Even if it is not a very healthy meal, do not deprive yourself of it. You can get back to managing your diet once your appetite is back.

Set reminders

It may be important for some people to constantly remind themselves that they have to eat. It is easier if you keep a track of your eating schedule and set reminders for whenever you have to eat a meal or a snack.