In trying to increase the effectiveness of my feeding tube.....
I found this somewhere on the internet after doing some research.
I also looked at the various commercial baby food company sites for further information.
you can add to your liquid meals...
1. Stage 1 baby food such as carrots and peas. These are packed with vitamins and minerals because it's all natural. They have no clumps and are a cinch to mix with your shake. This will add around 25-30 calories for about 2.5 oz of baby food. I would recommend Gerber's Naturelock products for this as there is no sodium and extra additives.
These are great ways to regularly incorporate extra calories without making yourself feel too full. You can adjust the amounts you add as you go. You may want to start out adding small amounts like a tablespoon of baby food or 1/8 cup of dry baby cereal. By doing this, you can build yourself up to take more at a time and not feel so full. Just add extra when you feel like you're ready to take more.
If you feel funny about taking baby food... you shouldn't. Baby food is the same as adults would eat, just in a thinner form. Most are healthier than what adults would eat. Take for example Gerber's Naturelock 1st Foods Carrots - Ingredients: Carrots, Water.
After all, it's good enough to start your life out on, so it's good enough to help you maintain it.
--
FRUITS etc. and veggies.....would be my first choice.
Enteral nutrition (also called tube feeding) involves the use of a feeding tube placed somewhere into the gastrointestinal track. Since it is through the GI tract that we normally eat, this method of support is more physiologically "normal" than the parenteral (intravenous) route.
By placing the tube in the GI tract and by adding nutrition here, we are taking advantage of the enzymes produced by both the stomach and intestines. This method is the first choice whenever possible. The enteral route also has less risk for infection.
