A dietitian’s advice on blended tube feeds

She’s been helping families tube-feed for almost a decade. And in recent years, this Michigan-based registered dietitian has turned her passion for blending real food into an online destination full of guidance, recipes and resources for the tube-feeding community.

Here, Hliarie Geurink shares her best tips for a top-notch blended tube-feed:

For nutritional variety, be sure to mix up what foods you’re blending. Rotating through different coloured fruits and vegetables will provide a wide variety of vitamins and minerals. Switch up your protein, grain, and healthy fat sources. If your blended meals are limited in variety or you need to avoid whole food groups, you’re likely missing out on important nutrients and supplementation may be needed. Be sure to discuss this with your healthcare team.

Storage containers should be airtight and nonporous to prevent the blended food from spoiling. Deli containers and mason jars are great options for storing blends as they are freezer, microwave and dishwasher safe. I also love deli containers because they stack well in the freezer for optimal storage.

Aim for a thin, pancake-batter consistency with your blended meals. This may seem thick if you’re used to formula, but it’s the higher viscosity (thickness) of blended meals that has been clinically shown to help with digestive issues like reflux and vomiting.

Warming food slightly before feeding can really help with digestion and tolerance. Use a warm-water bath rather than the microwave to avoid uneven heating.

Use syringes with an o-ring silicone plunger rather than a rubber plunger. The o-ring silicone plunger doesn’t wear out or expand with use, making it much easier on your hands to push the food through. My favourite is the Basik O-ring syringe, most families say these last at least four months.

Don’t be afraid to add herbs and spices to your blended food. There are so many health benefits to herbs and spices and they are an easy thing to add to a blend. Try some turmeric for anti-inflammatory benefits, ginger for gastrointestinal issues, or oregano which is high in antioxidants.

You can follow Hilarie’s work on her website and Instagram account.

This is an edited extract from a story first published in The Blend magazine, Issue Two.