Whole Foods Tube Feeding
Whole Foods Tube Feeding
Commercial whole foods tube feeding refers to the use of pre-made, commercially available whole food products specifically designed for individuals who require tube feeding for nutritional support. These products may include pureed fruits and vegetables and other meals that are made with whole, natural ingredients and are free from artificial preservatives or additives. They are typically packaged in pouches and can be delivered through a nasogastric or gastrostomy tube.
Whole food tube feeding can provide a more natural and varied diet for individuals who are unable to eat by mouth, and can help to improve overall health and well-being.
Some Issues to Manage
There are many benefits of a whole foods tube feeding nutrition diet but there also some issues to manage:
- Inconsistent Consistency: The production process for whole foods will vary depending on the ingredients in the pouch, making some pouch contents thicker than others. You will probably need to add liquid to thin the nutrition out for gravity or bolus tube feeding with the Bolee Bag and Bolink Large Cap. The large opening of the Bolee Bag makes it easy to transfer from the pouch and add extra liquid.
- Nutrient Deficiencies: Some brands may not provide all of the necessary daily nutrients for a person who is solely tube-fed. The Bolee Bag makes it easy to add extra ingredients to make sure the daily intake is correct.
- Pesky Pouches: Whole foods are packaged in pouches that can be difficult to manage tube feeding delivery but the Bolee Bag makes it easy. Just cut the corner of the nutrition pouch with a clean scissors to make a spout for pouring into the Bolee Bag. There is also a funnel to make the Bolee Bag opening even larger.
Benefits
Some of the reported benefits of whole food tube feeding are:
- Regularity: Reduced constipation and diarrhea
- Skin: Healthier, more elastic skin
- Phytonutrients: Whole foods contain phytonutrients and fibers that aren't found in synthetic formulas
- Variety: There are many different food combinations available to give the body a variety of nutrients
Market Shift
The home tube feeding market appears to be shifting to more use of commercial whole food products and homemade blenderized nutrition. The variety of commercial whole foods and homemade blenderized nutrition helps make home tube feeding more natural and similar to the diets of people without feeding tubes.
As this shift takes place, traditional methods of nutrition delivery (bolus syringes and gravity bags with five feet of tubing) are becoming obsolete. This is why the Bolee Bag and Bolink Caps were made.
Discover the nutritional benefits of whole foods tube feeding and the freedom provided by Bolee Bags and Bolink Caps.