When your Medical Team just isn’t that into Blends…

Registered dietitian Hilarie Geurink, the founder of Blended Tube Feeding, pushes back against common points of resistance from some doctors, therapists and dietitians around the topic of blenderised feeds.

If they’re saying “don’t do this diet”

Sharing your reasons for starting a blended diet, backed by research, can be quite helpful. You can even provide articles to support your case. Ask them if they would want to receive the same formula every day, for every meal. Wouldn’t they want to have some real food and be included in family meals?

If they’re saying “get the commercial formula right first”

It can be very difficult to ‘get it right’ with commercial formula. Many people struggle with digestive issues, leading to an ongoing quest for the ‘right’ solution, involving lots of medications and formulas in a cycle that can take a long time to resolve. A well-tolerated plan saves time and frustration for all – a win-win situation!

If they’re saying “you won’t be able to maintain or gain weight”

With the right support and resources, blending meals that meet nutrition needs is entirely possible and much easier, so get that support. Plus, it’s important to note that ongoing vomiting or poor formula tolerance can make weight gain really challenging.

If they’re saying “food safety is a concern”

Food safety is important whether you consume food by mouth or by feeding tube. Simply follow safe food-handling practices – clean surfaces, cook and store food properly, and make sure to keep food at a safe temperature – and this will ensure your food stays safe.

If they’re saying “you’ll clog your tube”

With the right equipment, it’s easy to avoid clogging a feeding tube. High- powered blenders work wonders, turning most foods into liquid form. And for pesky foods, a fine mesh strainer saves the day, or can be used to sieve blended meals when using a standard blender.

If they’re saying “it’s too much work”

Sure, it’s more work than formula. But imagine all the time you’ll save when you’re no longer dealing with feeding intolerance! Many families I work with batch blend meals for the week, and find they spend far less time blending than they would if they were preparing meals and snacks daily for oral intake.

Hilarie’s step-by-step course Blended Tube Feeding Made Simple includes a large database of recipes and a supportive community for questions along the way.