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Feeding tube nutrition suggestions needed

Posted by RW @nbkod7b, Jul 1, 2022

I can not open my mouth to eat or drink so use a g tube. Everything has to be ground with liquid in a blender so that it will flow through a glass cylinder that looks like a turkey baster. I am trying not to use prepared drinks except for Ensure Plus and Electrolytes. I need to gain some weight as I have plateaued so am counting calories but am having challenges finding high calorie things that can be added with liquids that go through the tube. There is only so much liquid I can comfortably consume. Breakfast is usually a cup of oatmeal or cereal with protein powder and some fruit with milk filling a six cup blender. Lunch is often four eggs and a cup of vegetables and water. Dinner is a cup of boiled chicken or fish and a cup of vegetables and broth. I have found the fat in meat clogs the tube. I often add peanut butter or ice cream but need some other options. I appreciate any suggestions.

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Mentor
Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Jul 1, 2022

@nbkod7b I am impressed with the nutrition you are getting through the G tube using a blender. My dad had a G tube, and used the commercial preparations. My first thought for extra calories was ice cream, but you are already doing that. In trying to gain weight, fats have so much more calories per gram of weight than other foods and would help you gain weight. As for not clogging the G tube and lines, have you tried olive oil to add calories?

This link gives some health benefits of olive oil. It can easily be mixed into the other foods you are putting through the blender.
https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2022-01-11/more-olive-oil-may-bring-longer-life-study
Have you discussed with your doctor what is right for you? I am sure not clogging the G tube or any lines is important. One of the issues that comes up with liquid feeding is that you don't have bulk to keep the stomach expanded and when it shrinks, it's hard to get enough nutrition because it has to go in so much slower. My dad had a bag like an IV bag up on a pole and it dripped in slowly toward the end of his life. Also make sure you stay upright, so stomach contents are not coughed up or aspirated. Your doctor or nurse probably reviewed that with you I would expect.

REPLY
1 reply
linh | @linh | Jul 2, 2022

Have you tried applesauce, or does that have too much pectin in it for a g tube? Baby food may offer a suitable consistency of it. Applesauce might slow transit time, allowing more time for absorption of your other foods. Yogurt (lactose free) helped me to maintain my weight, but kefir seems a better bet for g tubes.

REPLY
1 reply
andrea21 | @andrea21 | Jul 2, 2022

You absolutely need to get a registered dietitian to help you access the resources to keep you healthy. I know insurance will cover the cost of tube feedings if it's permanent. It's difficult to get the nutrition you need just blending food. Volume is an issue, so there are formulas that are concentrated to provide 2 calories per ml so they provide the nutrition you need in a small volume.

REPLY
1 reply
RW | @nbkod7b | Jul 5, 2022
In reply to @jenniferhunter "@nbkod7b I am impressed with the nutrition you are getting through the G tube using a..." + (show)
@jenniferhunter

@nbkod7b I am impressed with the nutrition you are getting through the G tube using a blender. My dad had a G tube, and used the commercial preparations. My first thought for extra calories was ice cream, but you are already doing that. In trying to gain weight, fats have so much more calories per gram of weight than other foods and would help you gain weight. As for not clogging the G tube and lines, have you tried olive oil to add calories?

This link gives some health benefits of olive oil. It can easily be mixed into the other foods you are putting through the blender.
https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2022-01-11/more-olive-oil-may-bring-longer-life-study
Have you discussed with your doctor what is right for you? I am sure not clogging the G tube or any lines is important. One of the issues that comes up with liquid feeding is that you don't have bulk to keep the stomach expanded and when it shrinks, it's hard to get enough nutrition because it has to go in so much slower. My dad had a bag like an IV bag up on a pole and it dripped in slowly toward the end of his life. Also make sure you stay upright, so stomach contents are not coughed up or aspirated. Your doctor or nurse probably reviewed that with you I would expect.

Jump to this post

Thank you! I had forgotten about olive oil. I had used it some in the past but dropped it out of the rotation. I wasn't aware of the benefits of sitting upright and will try to do that more. Thanks again.

REPLY
RW | @nbkod7b | Jul 5, 2022
In reply to @linh "Have you tried applesauce, or does that have too much pectin in it for a g..." + (show)
@linh

Have you tried applesauce, or does that have too much pectin in it for a g tube? Baby food may offer a suitable consistency of it. Applesauce might slow transit time, allowing more time for absorption of your other foods. Yogurt (lactose free) helped me to maintain my weight, but kefir seems a better bet for g tubes.

Jump to this post

Thank you for suggesting applesauce. I haven't tried it but will. Yogurt is another good suggestion. I remember trying it when I first got the tube and was trying to figure out what to use but don't recall why I stopped. I'll see if I can make it work.

REPLY
RW | @nbkod7b | Jul 5, 2022
In reply to @andrea21 "You absolutely need to get a registered dietitian to help you access the resources to keep..." + (show)
@andrea21

You absolutely need to get a registered dietitian to help you access the resources to keep you healthy. I know insurance will cover the cost of tube feedings if it's permanent. It's difficult to get the nutrition you need just blending food. Volume is an issue, so there are formulas that are concentrated to provide 2 calories per ml so they provide the nutrition you need in a small volume.

Jump to this post

Thank you for your response. I consulted with a dietitian who helped helped me set up my feeding regiment. I have gone from a low of 123 pounds up to 170 currently. My goal is an extra 10 pounds. I am in Mexico tube feeding are not covered by insurance and the prepared formulas I investigated have shipment costs more than double the price of the product itself which is why I am looking for suggestions.

REPLY
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