All posts by Sumana Rao

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AI chatbot health advice

AI Chatbots for Health Advice: What Can Go Wrong and the Precautions You Must Take

As AI tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google Gemini become part of everyday life, many people turn to them for quick answers about symptoms, diets, supplements, and wellness trends. People seek answers and are depending more on AI to get answers! While AI chatbots can be helpful for general education, they are not a replacement for professional medical care. Before asking for an AI chatbot for health advice, it is important to understand both the benefits and the limitations.

Here is what you should know and the precautions you should consider.

1. AI is informational, not diagnostic:

AI chatbots provide general information based on patterns in data. They do not examine you, run lab tests, or understand your complete medical history. If you describe symptoms, the chatbot may suggest probable causes — but it cannot diagnose conditions.

Health is complex. The same symptom can have many causes, ranging from minor to serious. Chest pain, fatigue, headaches, or digestive issues all require context that AI cannot fully assess.

Precaution: Use AI for background information only. Always consult a licensed healthcare professional for diagnosis, testing, and treatment decisions.

2. Information may be incomplete or outdated:

Medical guidelines evolve constantly. New research updates recommendations for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, hormone therapy, and more. AI systems are trained on large datasets but may not always reflect the latest clinical guidelines or region-specific recommendations.

In addition, health advice often depends on age, sex, medical history, medications, pregnancy status, and other individual factors.

Precaution: Verify important medical information through trusted sources such as your physician, registered dietitian, pharmacist, or reputable health organizations.

AI chatbot and health precautions
 

3. AI doesn’t know your full health history:

Even if you provide detailed information, an AI chatbot cannot access your full medical record. It doesn’t know about previous diagnoses, imaging results, family history, or subtle risk factors unless you explicitly mention them — and even then, it may not interpret them correctly.

For example, supplement advice that is generally safe could be risky if you have kidney disease, are on blood thinners, or have autoimmune conditions.

Precaution: Never start, stop, or change medications or supplements based solely on AI advice.

4. Emergency situations require immediate care:

AI chatbots are not emergency responders. If you are experiencing severe symptoms — such as chest pain, shortness of breath, signs of stroke, severe allergic reactions, or suicidal thoughts — immediate medical attention is critical.

Precaution: In emergencies, call emergency number or your local emergency number. Do not rely on AI for urgent decision-making.

5. Be careful with personal health data:

When using AI tools, remember that you are sharing sensitive information. While companies such as OpenAI implement privacy protections, no online system is entirely risk-free.

Precaution: Avoid sharing sensitive details such as full medical record numbers, insurance information, home address, or identifiable personal data unless you understand the platform’s privacy policies.

6. Ai can be helpful for education and preparation:

Despite limitations, AI can be a useful tool when used wisely. It can help you:

  • Understand medical terminology before a doctor’s appointment.
  • Create a list of questions to ask your provider.
  • Learn about general nutrition principles.
  • Compare lifestyle strategies for stress, sleep, or exercise.
  • Interpret basic lab values at a high level.

For example, you might ask for general information about anti-inflammatory diets, blood pressure–friendly foods, or stress management techniques. Once you find the information on AI tool further you can discuss those ideas with your healthcare provider. For best practice use AI as a starting point, not the final authority.

7. Watch for overconfidence in answers:

AI responses can sound confident and polished — even when the information is uncertain. This tone may create a false sense of accuracy.

Precaution: If advice sounds extreme, overly simplified, or “too good to be true,” double-check it. Be especially cautious with claims about miracle cures, rapid weight loss, hormone balancing shortcuts, or detox regimens.

8. Mental health conversations need care:

AI can provide coping strategies and general information about anxiety, stress, or depression. However, it cannot replace therapy or crisis intervention.

Precaution: If you are struggling emotionally, consider speaking with a licensed mental health professional. AI can supplement but not replace the human support.

AI chatbots are powerful educational tools. They can increase health literacy, clarify confusing topics, and help you prepare for medical appointments. However, they are not doctors, and they cannot personalize care in the way a trained healthcare professional can. The safest approach is to treat AI as a knowledgeable assistant — not a medical authority. Ask questions, stay curious, verify information, and involve qualified healthcare providers in all important health decisions.

Used responsibly, AI can empower you. Used carelessly, it can mislead you. Your health deserves careful, human-guided care.

References:

  1. www.werindia.com
  2. www.cnn.com
  3. https://www.hyro.ai/
  4. DoxGPT: Your Free, HIPAA-Compliant Workflow Assistant
  5. 5 things you should consider before asking an AI chatbot for health advice | PBS News
  6. Image credit: Images created using AI Copilot and AI Gemini respectively on 3-4-2026
Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: March 5, 2026
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Mindful eating

How To Practice Mindful Eating In A Distracted World

In today’s hyperconnected world, eating has become something we do while we are attending to something else. We scroll through emails, watch videos, answer texts, on phone or rush between meetings — barely noticing what’s on our plate. Over time, this distracted way of eating disconnects us from our body’s natural hunger and fullness signals.

Mindful eating offers a simple yet powerful way to rebuild that connection.

Mindful eating is the practice of bringing full awareness to the experience of eating — without judgment. It means noticing the colors, textures, aromas, and flavors of food. It means chewing slowly, pausing between bites, and tuning into how your body feels before, during, and after a meal. This isn’t a diet or a set of rigid rules. It’s a shift in attention.

When we eat distractedly, the brain doesn’t fully register the meal. Research shows that multitasking during meals can lead to overeating because satiety cues are delayed or ignored. The body may be physically full, but the mind hasn’t caught up. Mindful eating strengthens this communication between brain and body. You begin to recognize the difference between physical hunger and emotional triggers like stress, boredom, or fatigue.

In a culture that encourages speed and productivity, slowing down can feel uncomfortable at first. Yet this is where change happens. Taking even three deep breaths before eating signals the nervous system to move from “fight or flight” into “rest and digest.” Digestion improves, bloating may decrease, and meals feel more satisfying — even if portions stay the same.

Mindful eating also deepens gratitude. When you reflect on where your food comes from — the soil, water, sunlight, farmers, and pollinators involved — meals become more meaningful. This awareness often leads to more intentional choices, such as selecting seasonal produce or reducing food waste. The act of eating becomes not just nourishment for the body, but respect for the ecosystem that sustains us.

Practicing mindful eating doesn’t require perfection. Start small. Choose one meal a day to eat without screens. Pause between the bites. Notice when you feel about 80% full. Ask yourself gently, “Am I still hungry, or am I just finishing what’s here?” Curiosity is key, not criticism.

Over time, mindful eating can transform your relationship with food. It reduces guilt, softens cravings, and builds trust in your body’s wisdom. In a distracted world, paying attention is a radical act. By reclaiming presence at the table, you nourish both body and mind — one intentional bite at a time.

Here are 10 practical tips for mindful eating:

  1. Start with a pause: Before eating, take slow breaths. This shifts your body into “rest and digest” mode and improves digestion.
  2. Eat without screens: Turn off TV, phones, and laptops. Even one screen-free meal a day can help you tune into hunger and fullness cues.
  3. Slow down your chewing: Chew thoroughly and put your fork down between bites. Slowing down helps your brain register fullness.
  4. Rate your hunger: Before eating, ask yourself- Am I physically hungrier or am I bored, stressed, or tired?
  5. Engage your senses: Notice the colors, textures, aromas, and flavors of your food. The more senses involved, the more satisfying the meal feels.
  6. Eat until satisfied, not stuffed: Aim for gentle fullness — around 80%. You can always have more if you are truly still hungry.
  7. Practice gratitude: Take a moment to appreciate where your food came from — the soil, sun, farmers, and pollinators. This deepens connection and intention.
  8. Identify emotional triggers: Notice patterns. Do you reach for snacks when stressed? Lonely? Celebrating? Awareness reduces automatic habits.
  9. Remove guilt from the plate: Labeling foods as “good” or “bad” increases stress around eating. Mindful eating focuses on curiosity, not judgment.
  10. Reflect after the meal: Ask yourself- How do I feel physically? Am I energized or sluggish? Was I satisfied? This builds body awareness over time.
Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: March 4, 2026
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Indian vegetarian cuisine

How Global Food Systems Are Threatening Local Cuisines And Why It Matters

In today’s connected world, food travels faster than ever. Supermarkets produce stocks from thousands of miles away, and fast-food chains serve identical meals in cities across the globe. While this global food system has increased convenience and variety, it has also created a silent crisis: the gradual disappearance of local cuisines. This shift affects not just what we eat, but also our health, culture, biodiversity, and the future of sustainable food.

Food activism begins in our kitchens—and every meal can be an act of change.

The rise of a globalized plate: Global food systems are shaped by large corporations, industrial agriculture, and international trade. These systems prioritize efficiency, profit, and mass production. As a result, foods that are easy to grow, transport, and market dominate the global market.

Staple crops like wheat, corn, and soy now account for a substantial portion of the world’s calories. While these crops are important, their dominance has reduced the diversity of food grown and consumed across cultures. According to organizations like the Food and Agriculture Organization, thousands of traditional crop varieties have already disappeared in the past century.

This loss of diversity directly impacts local cuisines, which evolved over centuries based on regional climate, soil, and cultural traditions.

Fast food vs. traditional food: One of the biggest threats to local cuisines is the rapid spread of global fast-food culture. International chains such as McDonald’s and KFC offer affordable, convenient meals that appeal especially to younger generations.

As these foods become more accessible, traditional cooking practices decline. Many young people grow up disconnected from their culinary heritage. Skills such as fermenting, pickling, slow cooking, and using seasonal ingredients are being replaced by processed and packaged foods.

Over time, this leads to cultural homogenization—where foods start to look and taste the same everywhere.

The disappearance of indigenous and traditional foods: Local cuisines often depend on native crops and traditional farming. However, global markets encourage farmers to switch to high-yield, export-friendly crops instead of traditional varieties.

For example:

  • Ancient grains are replaced by refined wheat
  • Local vegetables are replaced by hybrid varieties
  • Traditional seeds are lost

When local foods disappear, so do the stories, rituals, and identities tied to them.

Impact on health and nutrition: Local cuisines are often more balanced and adapted to regional needs. Traditional vegetarian diets, for example, are rich in fiber, plant proteins, and diverse micronutrients.

Globalized diets, however, tend to be:

  • High in ultra-processed foods
  • Rich in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats
  • Low in diversity

This shift is linked to rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and chronic inflammation worldwide. The transition away from traditional diets also weakens gut health and reduces resilience against disease.

Loss of biodiversity and environmental sustainability: Traditional cuisines rely on biodiversity. When people eat a wide variety of foods, farmers are encouraged to grow diverse crops. But global food systems promote monocropping, which:

  • Degrades soil
  • Reduces resilience to climate change
  • Harms pollinators and ecosystems

Experts from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change highlight that food diversity is essential for climate resilience and sustainable agriculture. Protecting local cuisines can therefore help protect the planet.

Cultural identity and food sovereignty: Food is more than nourishment—it is memory, culture, and identity. Recipes are passed through generations and often connect people to their heritage. When global food systems dominate, communities lose control over what they grow and eat. This loss of food sovereignty can weaken cultural identity and increase dependence on imported foods. Supporting local cuisines means empowering communities to preserve their traditions and make decisions about their own food systems.

What can we do as consumers? The good news is that individuals have power. Small, conscious choices can help preserve local cuisines and create a more sustainable food future.

Here are simple actions:

  • Support local farmers and markets
  • Cook traditional and seasonal meals
  • Grow herbs or vegetables at home
  • Choose diverse plant-based foods
  • Learn and share family recipes
  • Reduce ultra-processed food consumption

Even one minor change can be effective. Global food systems have brought convenience and accessibility, but they have also threatened the rich diversity of local cuisines around the world. Protecting these food traditions is not about rejecting globalization, it is about balancing progress with preservation.

When we protect local food, we protect biodiversity, health, culture, and sustainability. Our everyday food choices shape the future of our planet. By valuing traditional diets and supporting local food systems, we can ensure that future generations inherit a world full of flavor, diversity, and resilience.

Image credit: www.werindia.com (all rights reserved)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: March 2, 2026
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Traditional food recipe preservation

 Traditional Vegetarian Recipe Preservation Checklist

When we move away from the village, town and cities where we grew up- we often miss the food that our elders used to prepare for us especially the traditional meals. We talk about it, but many times ignore the fact that these traditional foods that were prepared by our mother and grandmother helped us to shape and grow.  Have you ever thought of preserving traditional vegetarian recipes that you consumed while growing up?

Preserving traditional recipes from your childhood is a meaningful way to honor your elders and their heritage. Preserving traditional vegetarian recipes is about intention, adaptation, and cultural respect. If you are concerned in preserving vegetarian recipes, use this checklist to keep culinary heritage alive in modern life.

What are some checklist points you can consider to preserve traditional recipes?

1. Document and record

☐ Write down family recipes (with exact measurements)
☐ Record traditional cooking techniques (fermenting, roasting, stone-grinding, slow cooking)
☐ Capture stories behind each dish
☐ Note seasonal variations of recipes
☐ Store recipes digitally and in print

 2. Use heritage ingredients

☐ Choose ancient grains (millet, sorghum, amaranth,ragi etc.)
☐ Buy local and seasonal produce
☐ Support farmers growing indigenous crops
☐ Avoid replacing traditional ingredients with ultra-processed substitutes
☐ Learn the original names of ingredients in your native language

 3. Adapt for modern lifestyles

☐ Use time-saving tools (pressure cooker, Instant Pot, batch cooking)
☐ Prepare spice mixes in advance
☐ Pre-soak beans and grains weekly
☐ Freeze traditional meals for busy days
☐ Modify cooking methods (bake or air-fry instead of deep-fry when needed)

 4. Teach and share

☐ Cook traditional meals with children
☐ Host a monthly heritage meal night
☐ Share recipes on social media
☐ Start a “Traditional Recipe Series” on your blog
☐ Organize community cooking workshops

 5. Support biodiversity

☐ Rotate grains and legumes weekly
☐ Try at least one forgotten grain per month
☐ Avoid monoculture-heavy diets
☐ Reduce reliance on packaged foods
☐ Compost kitchen scraps to return nutrients to soil

 6. Preserve rituals and mindfulness

☐ Eat meals without distractions
☐ Practice gratitude before meals
☐ Reduce food waste
☐ Serve food in traditional ways when possible
☐ Learn the cultural significance of special dishes

 7. Make conscious purchasing choices

☐ Shop at farmers’ markets when possible
☐ Read ingredient labels carefully
☐ Avoid heavily refined grains
☐ Support small food businesses
☐ Prioritize whole, minimally processed foods

 8. Monthly reflection prompt

At the end of each month, ask yourself:

• Did I cook at least one traditional vegetarian dish?
• Did I introduce someone new to a heritage recipe?
• Did I support biodiversity through my food choices?
• Did I honor the story behind the food I prepared?

Preserving traditional vegetarian recipes is not about perfection. It is about participation. Every home-cooked heritage meal is an act of food activism.

Image credit: www.werindia.com (all rights reserved)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: February 27, 2026
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Breathing for weight loss

Deep Breathing Exercises Aids Weight Reduction

Do you know? Incorporating deep breathing exercises in your daily routine can help with weight loss? Traditional diets and exercises directly help in reducing weight by directly burning calories.  Whereas deep breathing instead of directly burning calories, aids weight loss by following means-,

1. Reducing stress and lowering cortisol: Chronic stress leads to elevated cortisol levels, which can cause fat storage, especially around the belly. Deep breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing stress and lowering cortisol, which may prevent weight gain.

2. Improving digestion and metabolism: Deep breathing increases oxygen flow in the body, improving digestion and gut health. Better digestion means more efficient nutrient absorption and reduced bloating.

3. Boosting oxygenation and fat oxidation: Breathing deeply enhances oxygen intake, which helps the body break down fat more efficiently. Oxygen plays a key role in metabolic processes, and better oxygen flow may support fat loss.

4. Enhancing mindfulness and eating habits: Mindful breathing can help control emotional eating, making it easier to recognize true hunger versus stress cravings. This naturally reduces overeating.

5. Supporting physical activity and recovery: Breathing exercises improve lung capacity and endurance, making workouts more effective and reducing fatigue, which indirectly aids weight loss.

Best deep breathing techniques that support weight loss:

1. Diaphragmatic (belly) breathing – Boosts metabolism & reduces stress: Enhances oxygen flow, improves digestion, and lowers cortisol.

  • Sit or lie down comfortably.
  • Place one hand on your chest and the other on your belly.
  • Inhale deeply through your nose, allowing your belly to expand.
  • Exhale slowly through your mouth, pulling your navel inward.
  • Repeat for 5–10 minutes daily.

2. Kapalabhati (skull-shining breath) – Activates fat-burning & detoxifies: Increases oxygenation, stimulates digestion, and supports hormonal balance.

  • Sit cross-legged with a straight spine.
  • Take a deep inhale through your nose.
  • Exhale forcefully and quickly by contracting your lower belly.
  • Continue rapid exhales (1 per second) for 30 seconds, then rest.
  • Repeat for 3 rounds.

3. Bhastrika (Bellows Breath) – Boosts energy & burns calories: Speeds up metabolism and improves circulation.

  • Sit comfortably and inhale deeply through your nose.
  • Exhale forcefully through your nose, engaging your core.
  • Continue strong, rhythmic breathing for 20 breaths.
  • Rest and repeat for 3 rounds.

4. Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhana) – Balances hormones & reduces cravings: Calms the nervous system and stabilizes blood sugar levels.

  • Sit comfortably, closing your right nostril with your thumb.
  • Inhale deeply through your left nostril.
  • Close your left nostril and exhale through the right nostril.
  • Inhale through the right nostril, close it, and exhale through the left.
  • Repeat for 5 minutes.

5. Box Breathing (4-4-4-4) – Curbs stress-induced weight gain: Regulates cortisol and prevents emotional eating.

  • Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds.
  • Repeat for 3–5 minutes.

When to practice deep breathing to achieve maximum benefits?

Morning – To kickstart metabolism.
Before meals – To improve digestion and mindful eating.
Before bed – To lower cortisol and aid fat-burning sleep.

Incorporate these breathing exercises into your routine for a healthier metabolism and natural weight balance!

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Crunchy corn tikki recipe

Prepare Crunchy Corn Tikki At Home With This Easy Recipe

Corn is rich in fiber and is good for health. It provides nutritions that helps heart health, eye health, energy for the body. It is also a source of gluten free food and contains essential nutrients like vitamin B, Magnesium, little amount of protein. There are various corn recipes one can prepare at home. Here is a simple, easy Corn tikki recipe you can try for evening snack.

Crunchy corn tikki recipe:

Ingredients:

  1. Sweet corn – 1 cup
  2. Boiled potatoes – 2 medium
  3. Rice flour – 2 tablespoons
  4. Onion (finely chopped) – ¼ cup
  5. Green chilies (finely chopped) – 1–2 chilies)
  6. Ginger (grated) – 1 teaspoon
  7. Fresh coriander leaves – 2 tablespoons
  8. Cumin powder – ½ teaspoon
  9. Chaat masala – ½ teaspoon
  10. Red chili powder – ½ teaspoon (adjust to taste)
  11. Salt – ¾ teaspoon or to taste
  12. Breadcrumbs – 2 tablespoons (optional, for extra crunch)
  13. Oil – 2–3 tablespoons for shallow frying

Preparation:

  1. Boil or steam the corn for 5 minutes.
  2. Crush half the corn lightly (this gives a crunchy and  soft texture).
  3. In a bowl, mash the boiled potatoes.
  4. Add corn, onion, green chilies, ginger, coriander, spices, and salt. Mix well.
  5. Add corn flour and breadcrumbs to bind.
  6. Make small round patties.
  7. Heat a pan with a cooking oil.
  8. Shallow fry the tikkis on medium heat until golden and crispy on both sides.
  9. Serve hot with green chutney, yogurt dip or ketchup


For healthier version, you can use air fry or bake the tikkis.

Image credit: www.werindia.com (all rights reserved)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: February 26, 2026
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How to overcome brain fog

What Is Brain Fog And How To Overcome Brain Fog

Mental fatigue and reduced clarity that we all commonly experience is called “Brain fog” and it is not a medical diagnosis. People often express brain fog in different terms like –

  • Forgetful or distracted
  • Slow thinking or poor focus
  • Trouble finding words
  • Low motivation
  • Mentally blocked or tired

Brain fog linked to factors like stress, poor sleep, inflammation, hormone changes, diet, or lifestyle. For example, studies conducted by American Psychological Association says that high cortisol and chronic stress can affect memory and attention.

How to reduce brain fog during the day by natural ways?

Stabilize blood sugar: One of the biggest causes of brain fog is blood sugar spikes and crashes. Low blood sugar level also reduces brain energy and loss of focus.

What helps in this case? Eating protein and fiber in every meal, choosing whole food over refined foods, and not skipping breakfast helps.

Vegetarian options for stabilizing blood sugar:

  • Curd/yogurt with nuts
  • Lentils and tofu
  • Chia pudding
  • Berries – blue berries, strawberries

Stay hydrated: Dehydration is not good for brain fog. Even mild dehydration can reduce concentration and memory.

Tips to stay hydrated:

  • Start the day with water – warm water is better
  • Add lemon or electrolytes
  • Herbal teas or coconut water will help

The brain is about 75% water, so hydration matters more than most people realize.

Improve sleep quality: Poor sleep is a top cause of brain fog. The Sleep Foundation notes that disrupted sleep affects attention, memory, and mood.

Try these tips:

  • Consistent sleep schedule
  • Limit screens 2 hours before bed
  • Consume Magnesium-rich foods like pumpkin seeds, leafy greens
  • Sleep in dark, cool bedroom
  • Keep humidifier on at night

Reduce inflammation: Chronic low-grade inflammation can affect brain function. Consume foods that support brain health and blood circulation.

Anti-inflammatory foods which are helpful in reducing inflammation are:

  • Turmeric with black pepper
  • Berries
  • Leafy greens
  • Walnuts
  • Olive oil
  • Flax and chia seeds

Manage stress and cortisol: Do you know high stress can “shut down” clear thinking.

Daily practices that help you to bring down cortisol:

  • 5–10 minutes deep breathing
  • Short walks in nature
  • Yoga or stretching
  • Mindfulness meditation

Move your body and be active: Exercise increases blood flow and oxygen to the brain. Even gentle movement can immediately improve mental clarity.

Quick daytime boosts that help to get rid of brain fog are:

  • 5-minute walk after meals
  • Light stretching
  • Standing breaks every hour

Support gut health: The gut and brain are strongly connected through the “gut-brain axis.” Keeping your gut in good health helps in keeping brain active and focused. A healthy gut microbiome may reduce brain fog and fatigue.

Try these foods for better gut health:

  • Fermented foods like idli, curd
  • Fiber-rich foods like spinach, carrot, cabbage, beans, broccoli – include more vegetables.
  • Prebiotic foods like garlic, onions, bananas

Key nutrient deficiencies to watch: Low levels of these can contribute to fog:

  • Iron
  • Vitamin B12
  • Vitamin D
  • Omega-3 fatty acids

If brain fog is severe or persistent, it can also be linked to medical conditions like thyroid issues, anemia, long COVID, or hormonal changes -including perimenopause.

Image credit: Image created using AI, 2-25-2026

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Home remedies to increase appetite

Increase Appetite With These Remedies

A poor appetite or loss of appetite happens for various reasons. It could be due to lack of desire to eat, loss of taste, while recovering after a period of illness, anxiety etc. According to Ayurveda, a balance between vata and pitta doshas helps to keep normal appetite. A variation in the balance between these two doshas leads to loss of appetite.

When one suffers from loss of appetite for longer time, it could lead to malnutrition of the body or weight loss. If left untreated other health issues will appear.

Sometimes the loss of appetite could be due to medical conditions such as hepatitis, kidney failure, chronic liver condition, hypothyroidism, respiratory infection, meningitis etc. In such cases physicians will suggest what can be done to bring appetite back.

 If the loss of appetite is due to conditions that are not related to severe medical conditions, then one can try many home remedies to bring back the lost appetite.

Following herbs and combination herbal ingredients and natural ingredients helps to bring back appetite – Indian gooseberry (Amla), asafetida, ajwain seeds, nutmeg, pomegranate,  mustard, long pepper, coriander seeds, cardamom, cumin, fennel seeds, tamarind, ginger, black pepper. These herbs with combination of honey, black salt, black salt, rock salt, honey, buttermilk, curd will help to recover the lost appetite.

 How to use these herbs?

  1. To one Tbsp Indian gooseberry (amla) powder add little salt and asafetida. Mix with curd or buttermilk and consume.
  2. Take few pieces of amla (fresh or dried), ½ tsp cumin seeds and black pepper. Add ½ tsp clarified butter and fry for few seconds. Add ½ cup coconut and salt -grind the contents. Add 1 cup buttermilk. You can either dilute and drink this or add one cup curd and mix with rice.
  3. Grind a mixture of 1 tsp each mustard seeds, ginger, cumin seeds, black salt and pinch of asafetida.  Prepare fine powder. Mix the powder in a glass of buttermilk and drink.
  4. Prepare pomegranate juice (along with seeds), filter and add rock salt and little honey. Drink this juice to gain back taste and increases appetite.
  5. Take amla, ginger, cloves, nutmeg and long pepper – 3 parts of amla, 8 part of ginger and one part each of clove, long pepper and nutmeg. Grind the contents to make powder. Add sugar or jaggery to the mix. Consume twice a day till you get back appetite.
  6. Mix ½ tsp each of fennel seeds, coriander, cinnamon and cardamom. Soak the mix for few hours in a glass of water. Strain and drink this water infusion morning brings back appetite.
  7. Mix tamarind pulp with little jaggery, salt, asafetida and chili powder – prepare candy and consume.
  8. Extract tamarind juice add little salt and water– drink ¼ cup of this juice to build appetite. You can add few fennel seeds in this.
  9. Include fenugreek, turmeric ingredients in your meals to bring up your appetite

Daily Tips to increase appetite

  1. Consider eating six smaller meals than larger 3 meals
  2. Consider smaller portion of meals, trick your brain with smaller plates.
  3. Include healthy fats, proteins, and whole grains
  4. Do not skip breakfast as eating breakfast increases thermogenesis process
  5. Exercise regularly and have a scheduled mealtime
  6. Eat less fiber as fiber empties stomach fast.
  7. Drinking calorie rich smoothies and milkshakes might be interesting and might motivate your appetite
  8. Eat your favorite foods and include spices and herbs ingredients in food preparation

Image credit: https://pixabay.com/users/publicdomainpictures-14/ (Free for commercial use)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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