Real Food Blends Tube Feeding Formula

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.

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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