Who Uses Real Food Blends Tube Feeding Formula? Tube-fed individuals who consume blended meals or who are switching from formula to blended real foods under the supervision of their healthcare provider. These meals are also a popular choice for oral feeding among those with dysphagia and other conditions that prevent them from eating standard solid foods.
Why They Love It: The shelf-stable, ready-to-feed packets are just as convenient as formula but are made with nutritious whole foods. For many users, Real Food Blends are more satisfying than tube feeding formula and keep them full longer. Some even find that gastrointestinal function improves when they switch from commercial formula to blended meals.
Nutricia Real Food Blends Tube Feeding Overview
Real Food Blends are pureed meals made of 100% real food designed for people with feeding tubes. Each 9.4-oz packet contains a combination of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and healthy fats. Unlike traditional formulas, Real Food Blends are true meals that add a variety of satisfying foods to a tube-feeding diet. They are shelf-stable and ready to feed, providing a quick, convenient alternative to homemade blends. The meals are intended to be bolus-fed through a syringe but can also be thinned out with liquid for gravity or pump feeding. They can be used as a sole source of nutrition, incorporated into a formula diet, or used along with homemade blended meals.
Vitality Medical offers a variety of enteral feeding supplies. Get the benefits of real food by purchasing Real Food Blends for Tube Feeding today!
Additional Resources
Nutrition Information and Clinical Research
30 day return policy
- Items must be unopened
Fast Shipping & Handling
- Most orders are processed and shipped within 24 hours!
Key Features
100% Real Food Meals
Each meal contains 5-8 real, simple ingredients.
Conveniently Packable
No need for refrigeration—perfect for tube-fed people on the go!
Easy Tube Feeding
May be used with bolus, gravity, or pump feeding methods.
Nutrition for Adults and Kids
Blended whole-food meals for anyone over the age of 1.
Product Information
Nutritional Applications
These meals may help improve symptoms of feeding intolerance, including the following:
- Bloating/distension
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Failure to thrive
- Gagging/retching
- Vomiting
Additional Features
- Minimal Processing—No Preservatives, Synthetic Vitamins, Added Salt, or Artificial Flavor/Color
- Thicker Consistency Is More Satisfying and May Be Better-Tolerated in the Stomach
- Six Flavors Can Be Mixed and Matched for Nutritional Variety
- Consciously Sourced Ingredients Including Grass-Fed Beef, Wild-Caught Salmon, and U.S.-Raised Chicken and Eggs
- Shelf-Stable Packets Keep for Three Years Unopened at Room Temperature
Product Specifications
- Manufacturer: Nutricia/Real Food Blends
- Product Numbers: 176987, 176988, 176989, 176990, 176991, 176992, 176993
- Flavors:
- Turkey, Sweet Potatoes & Peaches
- Chicken, Carrots & Brown Rice
- Eggs, Apples & Oats
- Salmon, Oats & Squash
- Quinoa, Kale & Hemp
- Beef, Potatoes & Spinach
- Variety Pack (Chicken, Carrots & Brown Rice; Salmon, Oats & Squash; Quinoa, Kale & Hemp)
- Pouch Size: 9.4 Ounces
- Calories per Pouch: 320–340
- Hang Time: 2 Hours
- Shelf Life: 3 Years (Unopened)
- HCPCS Code: B4149
- Application: Blended Meal for Tube Feeding
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are these meals thicker than formula? Will my feeding tube clog?
Real Food Blends meals are intentionally thicker than traditional enteral formulas because they are not formulas—they're blended real food meals! This helps enhance satiety after a meal and tends to "sit better" in the stomach than pure liquid.
The meals are designed for bolus feeding through a syringe but can also be used for gravity or pump feeds with proper preparation. They've been tested successfully without clogging using a 14-French tube and 60 mL syringe. If clogging is a concern, the blend can be mixed with liquid and strained before use. This is especially recommended for gravity or pump administration.
Does the meal need to be specially prepared for gravity or pump feeding?
Yes, the manufacturer recommends adding 2–4 ounces of liquid, such as formula, milk, or water, as needed to reduce viscosity. Many users also choose to strain or even blend the meal again themselves to achieve their preferred thinner consistency.
Do Real Food Blends provide complete nutrition?
While formulas tend to contain added nutrients, such as synthetic vitamins and minerals, to provide "complete nutrition," these meals are made of whole foods and do not contain additives of any kind. They are meant to be mixed and matched to provide a healthy variety of nutrients, just like solid food for oral eaters. The blends can be used as a sole source of nutrition when combined with an age-appropriate multivitamin and a daily dash of salt. Please consult your dietitian or healthcare provider before making changes to your tube-feeding diet.
Can anyone with a G-tube use these blends?
These meal blends are specifically made to feed G-tube-fed individuals with intact digestive systems. Always speak with your medical team before switching from a formula diet to a real food diet.
Can the meals be used with a J-tube?
This depends on the reason the J-tube was placed and should be discussed with your healthcare provider.
Are the meals good for individuals with dysphagia?
Users with dysphagia have had good experiences eating the meals orally, with many reporting that they taste great.
Can I freeze leftover blends?
Yes, leftover contents from opened packets can be frozen. They can also be refrigerated for up to 24 hours.
Are the blends gluten-free?
They are not certified as gluten-free because they are made in a facility that handles gluten ingredients. However, the meals themselves do not contain raw ingredients with gluten, and the oats in the Salmon and Egg meals are certified gluten-free.
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