My chocolate trick!

So often when we have a poor appetite and our ability to swallow feels awkward, sucking a small piece of chocolate or having a small espresso cup sized portion of chocolate milk (made by melting the chocolate in milk, which can be almond, cow's or other types of milk) served warm or chilled, can start to relax the muscles and the swallowing becomes easier.

You can also get a sweet hit from the sugar from the chocolate absorbed through the roof of the mouth which can also hint and hopefully persuade the body that it's good to eat and to get a move on with eating.

Getting anxious around eating can also make it hard to swallow, so again, having a little appetiser of chocolate can help to relax, take the pressure down and the appetite can return.