Enteral Patient Center

What is enteral feeding?

Enteral feeding, also known as tube feeding, is a method for providing nutrition to people who cannot eat and drink enough nutrients on their own. Liquid food, often called formula, is given through a special tube to make sure you get the nutrition and fluids you need. Just like regular food, tube feeding formula provides all the essential nutrients your body needs, such as calories, protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. Your doctor may also prescribe medication to be delivered through the feeding tube.

People may need tube feeding for a number of reasons, such as when they are unable to get enough nutrition by eating and drinking by mouth, when they are unable to digest food normally, when swallowing is difficult or unsafe, or after surgery or medical treatments when it may be hard or impossible to eat for a period of time.

Learn more about how enteral feeding differs from other nutrition delivery methods, such as parenteral feeding, by reading “What is the Difference Between Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition?”.

Enteral formulas & foods

Tube fed diets typically consist of two main types of formula: enteral formula and blenderized foods.

• Enteral formula: Typically enteral formula comes in 3 types: infant, pedatric, and adult. These formulas can either come in powder form (which you mix into liquid before feeding) or in a ready-made liquid form. These formulas contain the necessary nutrients to have a balanced diet.
• Blenderized foods: Blenderized foods are a liquid diet that can consist of commercial product, or even a homemade blend. Blenderized foods are used by pediatric and adult patients (but not for infant use). Typically blenderized foods are delivered through G type tubes, not through naso tubes.

Patient resources, information, and foundations

Living with an enteral feeding pump can feel overwhelming at first. A growing number of online learning resources and support groups are available to help navigate these challenges. The list below provides links to many of these groups and sites. If you are aware of a group that should be added to our list, please let us know.

FEEDING TUBE AWARENESS

Providing information, resources and community for the families of children who are tube fed

The Feeding Tube Awareness Foundation is dedicated to supporting parents and caregivers of children who are tube fed by providing valuable resources and raising awareness of tube feeding in society. Visit feedingtubeawareness.org to learn more.

FEEDING MATTERS

Providing support, expertise, and hope for families facing the challenges of pediatric feeding disorders

Feeding Matters is the first organization in the world uniting families, healthcare professionals, and the broader community to improve the system of care for children with pediatric feeding disorder through advocacy, education, support, and research. Visit feedingmatters.org to learn more.

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