An alternative for your feeding tube

13

Comments

  • Nikimercer
    Nikimercer Member Posts: 1
    pinedog said:

    If you decide to get the tube, which I would strongly advise, then to use this recipe you need strong support to help prepare it. It's a lot of work but worth it. If after reading this you are still interested I can email the whole recipe.

    To do this you need a juicer and a blender. Through the juicer goes kale, broccoli, cauliflower, parsley, celery, carrot, spinach, beet, apple, grapes. In the blender goes tofu, almond butter, avocado, banana, pure fruit juice, prune juice, milk, protein powder, olive oil, herring fish oil, chicken broth, multi vitamins and what's called Green Formula. This is well mixed and seived to make enough to supply three feeds a day for three days. This provides 2000 calories a day of well balanced nutrition with lots of energy and protein. It takes an hour or so to prepare which I suppose is a lot less time than preparing nine separate meals.

    Feeding tube alternative
    Hi, my name in Niki. I really need your recipe for the healthy alternative to ensure for my friend who is critically I'll and is currently being given something with far too much sodium, amongst many other issues. I will be heading to the store now and hope to hear back from you with the amounts, you are wonderful for sharing this information and I look forward to hearing from you soon.. Thank you so much.
    Truly,
    Niki Mercer
    Geminiki1826@yahoo.com
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228

    Feeding tube alternative
    Hi, my name in Niki. I really need your recipe for the healthy alternative to ensure for my friend who is critically I'll and is currently being given something with far too much sodium, amongst many other issues. I will be heading to the store now and hope to hear back from you with the amounts, you are wonderful for sharing this information and I look forward to hearing from you soon.. Thank you so much.
    Truly,
    Niki Mercer
    Geminiki1826@yahoo.com

    Hi Niki
    You may want to post your own thread about this question since the thread is so old abd I've not seen that poster around. Or maybe private message them?? You can also do a search for feeding tube alternatives and see what comes up. Not sure about the sodium levels in Jevity and Scandishake I think it's called. Maybe google that and check it out.


    Not sure if there are any in here that you can use. These are some weight gaining smoothies:

    http://csn.cancer.org/node/208805

    Good luck hun,


    Sweet
  • LucyVance
    LucyVance Member Posts: 21
    Making Your Own Food for the Feeding Tube
    Hi there - We found the canned food was toxic for my husband too and he lost 10 pounds in one week on the cans! So we had to switch to making our own food which was a blessing and kept his weight up all through combined chemo/radiation for cancer in the back of his tongue. As I developed recipes for his feeding tube, I posted them on a website online at lucysrealfood.com. I also posted some basic instructions so I'm hoping these might be helpful for other people facing the same issue. Take a look. The Oley Foundation website also has great information on feeding tube issues - on the links and resources page, I've included links to other useful information that you might find helpful.
  • DRMom
    DRMom Member Posts: 1

    Hi there. Please consider the g-tube. I have had one for the past 2 1/2 years and find it quite convenient. As a matter of fact I'm on my second tube. I had the original changed in November 2004. At first I only ingested Boost and Ensure. But now I cook my special "stoups", which are a combination of soup and stew. I put in all the fresh veggies I can find and season the pot as if I'm serving company. When it's finished, I blend it so that I can put it into my tube. For breakfast I cook cereal, either oats or cream of wheat or tapioca, using soy milk instead of regular cow's milk and flavour with vanilla. Yum!
    You will be amazed at how quickly you may become accustomed to the tube.
    One caution, ask all the questions about the tube. Ask how to keep it flushed and clean, and how to keep the area around the tube clean and healthy. And if your tube has a bubble attached, ask your physician how to know when to inflate it, if ever. Also ask how best to keep the tube under clothing. Currently my stoma is slightly inflamed, but that hasn't stopped me from tending to my garden a minimum of 6 hours a day.
    So, go for it.
    You will be in my prayers.
    Incidentally, I haven't been able to swallow for almost 3 years following sinus and submandibullar cancer and radiation. But I'm doing wonderfully, although I sometimes miss the textures of food. I still have my taste buds so I can taste without swallowing.
    Good luck to you.

    Father is on Feeding Tube
    Email to me any recipes, natural you have. He has lost 9 pounds since his surgery. I think he needs real food, but not sure how to prepare it and do it right so he will thrive. Please help. Any assistance you can give is much appreciated.
    Debbie email me at DebMorgan@live.com
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    DRMom said:

    Father is on Feeding Tube
    Email to me any recipes, natural you have. He has lost 9 pounds since his surgery. I think he needs real food, but not sure how to prepare it and do it right so he will thrive. Please help. Any assistance you can give is much appreciated.
    Debbie email me at DebMorgan@live.com

    DrMom
    You can try to start a new post, because this is an old thread, and I haven't seen a lot of these people post in the last couple years. Also further down in this post are some suggestions and a website for Lucys Real Food. Looks like a very detailed site to help with learning to make regular food that can be put through a peg tube.

    Here are links to that site and a thread we had on this site:

    BEST WEIGHT GAINING SMOOTHIES. Ideas here can be put thru tube if run thru an emulsifier.


    LUCY's REAL FOOD. Haven't tried this but it looks promising.  

    Good luck.
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    DRMom said:

    Father is on Feeding Tube
    Email to me any recipes, natural you have. He has lost 9 pounds since his surgery. I think he needs real food, but not sure how to prepare it and do it right so he will thrive. Please help. Any assistance you can give is much appreciated.
    Debbie email me at DebMorgan@live.com

    Hi DRMom
    Welcome to the Family here on CSN. Sorry to hear Dad has this stuff but sounds like he has a really good caregiver helping him. I did not use the PEG tube in my treatment so I don’t know much about them, but you will get a lot of help, just start a new post about your question and everyone using a PEG will have an answer.

    Take care
    Hondo
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member

    DrMom
    You can try to start a new post, because this is an old thread, and I haven't seen a lot of these people post in the last couple years. Also further down in this post are some suggestions and a website for Lucys Real Food. Looks like a very detailed site to help with learning to make regular food that can be put through a peg tube.

    Here are links to that site and a thread we had on this site:

    BEST WEIGHT GAINING SMOOTHIES. Ideas here can be put thru tube if run thru an emulsifier.


    LUCY's REAL FOOD. Haven't tried this but it looks promising.  

    Good luck.

    Hi Sweet

    Someday show me how you link, I work with computers but that is something I never have to do and just don’t know how.

    All the best
    Hondo
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    Hondo said:

    Hi Sweet

    Someday show me how you link, I work with computers but that is something I never have to do and just don’t know how.

    All the best
    Hondo

    Hondo
    Learned from John. Will PM you.
  • Clearblue
    Clearblue Member Posts: 186
    Post it, check or chuck!
    Hey dog,
    just post the recipe here.
    Were all intelligent enough to read it , check it or chuck it!
    By the way im still looking for someone who has had a j-tube (in the loer intestine, and not a peg, which is in the stomach).
    Dont know if its possible to prepare an alternative through this.

    Clear
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    Clearblue said:

    Post it, check or chuck!
    Hey dog,
    just post the recipe here.
    Were all intelligent enough to read it , check it or chuck it!
    By the way im still looking for someone who has had a j-tube (in the loer intestine, and not a peg, which is in the stomach).
    Dont know if its possible to prepare an alternative through this.

    Clear

    Clearblue
    This thread was started in 2005. People keep topping it looking for Pinedog, and his recipe, to no avail, as far as I know. He has only ever posted three times, probably just on this thread back in 2005. As I have suggested to the others that have posted here, maybe check out that Lucy's real food. I am thinking that with a Vitamix or a HealthMaster emulsifier you can make peg tube food out of just about anything.
  • sarahjane7194
    sarahjane7194 Member Posts: 1
    my mother
    my mom is having the same problem. she was diagnost with throat cancer and is going through radiation also. she is unable to tolerate the food through her feeding tube and is worried. she is only getting about 1/3 of the nutrition she needs. she talked to her doctor who said" you know your fighting cancer right" and my mom said " i know but theres only so much i can do" i am worried too because my mother is not one to worry about herself, just us kids. i would love to have your recipes and i will prepare them for her. i feel helpless and if i can do this for her and it works, would feel like a miracle. Thank you Sarah
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228

    my mother
    my mom is having the same problem. she was diagnost with throat cancer and is going through radiation also. she is unable to tolerate the food through her feeding tube and is worried. she is only getting about 1/3 of the nutrition she needs. she talked to her doctor who said" you know your fighting cancer right" and my mom said " i know but theres only so much i can do" i am worried too because my mother is not one to worry about herself, just us kids. i would love to have your recipes and i will prepare them for her. i feel helpless and if i can do this for her and it works, would feel like a miracle. Thank you Sarah

    Sarah
    Hi there. Not sure who you are asking for those recipes, but this thread is like six years old, and in the last two years that I've been here, I've never seen pinedog make a post. Maybe looking through this info can help you:


    CONTAINS ADVENTURE BOB's TUBE FOOD RECIPE

    LUCY's REAL FOOD. How to make real food for tube feeding instead of using canned

    BEST WEIGHT GAINING DRINKS
    These are good tips and recipes if you can only manage liquids. 

    All around smoothie with nutrition analysis.  If you put it through a peg tube it must be emulsified and put through a strainer.  You don't want to clog the tube.  

    Here is a good all around smoothie meal.  I did the nutritional analysis for you.  The first number is the amount in the smoothie, the second number, in the parentheses is what you would need for a 1600 calories per day.  I use a HealthMaster.   That or a vitamix is best.   I often have this for breakfast.   Especially good when you are on the go.  

    1 medium apple
    1 medium carrot 
    1 banana
    3 leaves of romaine 
    1 tbs almond butter
    1 cup milk
    1 tbs flax seed oil
    1 tbs protein powder

    Total Calories (kcals) 597 -  (1658)
    Protein (gm) 17 - (46)
    Carbohydrate (gm) 76 - (130)
    Total Fiber (gm) 10 - (25)
    Total Fat (gm) 29 - (13.3 - 23.2)
    Saturated Fat (gm) 5.4 (< 6.6)
    Monounsaturated Fat (gm) 10 **
    Polyunsaturated Fat (gm) 12 **
    Linoleic (omega 6) (gm) 4.1 12
    Alpha Linolenic (omega 3) (gm) 7.5 (1.1)
    Cholesterol (mg) 19 (< 300)
    Vitamin A (mcg RAE) 735 - (700)
    Vitamin C (mg) 32.7 - (75)
    Vitamin E (mg a-TE) 9.5 - (15)
    Thiamin (mg) 0.4 - (1.1)
    Riboflavin (mg) 0.8 - (1.1)
    Niacin (mg) 4.1 - (14)
    Folate (mcg, DFE) 148.4 - (400)
    Vitamin B6 (mg) 0.9 - (1.3)
    Vitamin B12 (mcg) 1.3 - (2.4)
    Calcium (mg) 486.2 - (1000)
    Phosphorus (mg) 485 - (700)
    Magnesium (mg) 152 - (320)
    Iron (mg) 3.2 - (18)
    Zinc (mg) 3.1 -  (8)
    Selenium (mcg) 11.7 - (55)
    Potassium (mg) 1540 - (4700)
    Sodium (mg) 288  - ( 1500 - 2300)
    ** Nutrient has no established recommendation.

    You need a powerful blended that will liquify the food. Like these:

    VITAMIX  Emulsifier Blender. It is my understanding they will give a discount for cancer patients.


    HEALTHMASTER EMULSIFIER
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member

    my mother
    my mom is having the same problem. she was diagnost with throat cancer and is going through radiation also. she is unable to tolerate the food through her feeding tube and is worried. she is only getting about 1/3 of the nutrition she needs. she talked to her doctor who said" you know your fighting cancer right" and my mom said " i know but theres only so much i can do" i am worried too because my mother is not one to worry about herself, just us kids. i would love to have your recipes and i will prepare them for her. i feel helpless and if i can do this for her and it works, would feel like a miracle. Thank you Sarah

    Hi Sarah

    I know don’t know much about making food, I only eat it when I feel good enough to eat it, but Sweet is the right Woman for the job. So for now all I can do it to Welcome you to CSN.

    Wishing you and your Mom the best
    Hondo
  • LucyVance
    LucyVance Member Posts: 21
    Kent Cass said:

    Feedings and clogs
    To unclog the tube- Coca-Cola. Was advised by my handlers before my first feeding that such is the way to get the tube unclogged. And, yes, it did happen, once, and the Coke did unclog the tube.

    As for "commercial feedings", Rosie, are you talking about the Jevity, or the Ensure/Boost? The Jevity formula did right by me- only nutrition I got for 7-weeks with the battle raging, starting at the end of week #1, and would urge caution towards casting doubts that way. The stuff worked for me. Yes, I lost some 17% of my body weight, but considering the terms of the battle we fight/fought, perhaps that is not so great a %.

    That said, I also am an advocate for healthy foods, and the "alternative," being the "salad freak." But during treatment with a PEG- Jevity does rule the day. Did right by me.

    kcass

    Unclogging a Feeding Tube
    Hi there - On the links and resources page of Lucy's you'll find some good information on unclogging tubes, various methods and equipment that is available. lucysrealfood.com
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    LucyVance said:

    Unclogging a Feeding Tube
    Hi there - On the links and resources page of Lucy's you'll find some good information on unclogging tubes, various methods and equipment that is available. lucysrealfood.com

    Hi Lucy
    Thanks for the tips I am planning on getting a PEG tube and might just need this info someday.

    Hondo
  • Greend
    Greend Member Posts: 678
    My food intake
    I guess being from Alabama I am just too simple. About 2-3 months ago I decided, with my wife's help, to dump the Ensure diet and start using real food, The Ensure only diet was leaving me too tired all of the time and no energy. We started out with her measuring calories, amounts etc and then blending them all together. This works fine but is labor intensive. I then started just taking whatever food she cooked (I do not use food with gristle ot fat because it tends to jam my tube) adding whatever I thought might boost the balance (bananas, tofu, avacado, sunflower seeds, yogurt etc) and processing it through my 1200W butt kicking Ninja blender with a LOT of liquids. I have found that if there are objects in the mix that stop up my syringe then they too will plug my tube so when I'm drawing up my food into the syringe and something plugs it up I just pick off the offender and continue.

    The tube port I have has a wide opening to accomodate the syringe and then connects to the flexible tube above the flushing port. What this means is that if the tube gets plugged, then it will most likely be plugged at this junction point and then I can flush it to clear the blockage and the jammed food will exit back through the tube entry point. Bottom line on this pitiful explanaton is that I don't have problems with the tube getting blocked.

    I have processed Wendy's 1/2 pounder, KFC chicken bowl, oriental food, and a couple of meat loaf TV dinners. The key is adding enough liquids when you blend it to get a good puree. For liquids I have used V8 juice, gator ade, grape/apple/cherry juice, Silk, regular milk and even a couple of Sprites.

    For breakfast I have eggs, sausage, oatmeal (fiber), toast or bisquit, and lots of orange juice.

    Lunch is whatever everyone else has with a lot of liquid.

    For dinner I have found that a mostly fruit meal sits better on the stomach and I sleep better.

    The negative to this is that I have to urinate a lot more because of the fluid intake.

    This is working GREAT for me and while I don't taste the food the psylogical boost from eating "normal" food is good. Not a lot of weight gain but a lot more energy.

    Tonight I'm going to try a Snickers bar with a Budweiser for the liquid additive.
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    Greend said:

    My food intake
    I guess being from Alabama I am just too simple. About 2-3 months ago I decided, with my wife's help, to dump the Ensure diet and start using real food, The Ensure only diet was leaving me too tired all of the time and no energy. We started out with her measuring calories, amounts etc and then blending them all together. This works fine but is labor intensive. I then started just taking whatever food she cooked (I do not use food with gristle ot fat because it tends to jam my tube) adding whatever I thought might boost the balance (bananas, tofu, avacado, sunflower seeds, yogurt etc) and processing it through my 1200W butt kicking Ninja blender with a LOT of liquids. I have found that if there are objects in the mix that stop up my syringe then they too will plug my tube so when I'm drawing up my food into the syringe and something plugs it up I just pick off the offender and continue.

    The tube port I have has a wide opening to accomodate the syringe and then connects to the flexible tube above the flushing port. What this means is that if the tube gets plugged, then it will most likely be plugged at this junction point and then I can flush it to clear the blockage and the jammed food will exit back through the tube entry point. Bottom line on this pitiful explanaton is that I don't have problems with the tube getting blocked.

    I have processed Wendy's 1/2 pounder, KFC chicken bowl, oriental food, and a couple of meat loaf TV dinners. The key is adding enough liquids when you blend it to get a good puree. For liquids I have used V8 juice, gator ade, grape/apple/cherry juice, Silk, regular milk and even a couple of Sprites.

    For breakfast I have eggs, sausage, oatmeal (fiber), toast or bisquit, and lots of orange juice.

    Lunch is whatever everyone else has with a lot of liquid.

    For dinner I have found that a mostly fruit meal sits better on the stomach and I sleep better.

    The negative to this is that I have to urinate a lot more because of the fluid intake.

    This is working GREAT for me and while I don't taste the food the psylogical boost from eating "normal" food is good. Not a lot of weight gain but a lot more energy.

    Tonight I'm going to try a Snickers bar with a Budweiser for the liquid additive.

    Hi Denny

    Glad to hear the PEG is working so well for you, if you don’t mind can you PM me and let me know what type of PEG tube you have. From what I read and see there are many types of PEG tubes, I am looking at one called a Button but not to sure how it will work for me.

    Take care and continue to do well
    Hondo
  • Canadian_Poppy
    Canadian_Poppy Member Posts: 1
    my husband has recently been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. he became dehydrated and malnoursihed and had a feeding tube placed a week ago. we are hoping to leave the hospital today. we have always eaten well and are very interested in making our own food rather than using only nestle formula. we have been working with a naturopath but she has no experience with feeding tubes. he will need all his strength to deal with the proposed treatment and we find questionable value in the 'sterile' cans, as promoted by the dieticion. we have always been interested in 'live' food. if you have any recipes or tips to share we would be very grateful for the help. good luck in your journey
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member

    my husband has recently been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. he became dehydrated and malnoursihed and had a feeding tube placed a week ago. we are hoping to leave the hospital today. we have always eaten well and are very interested in making our own food rather than using only nestle formula. we have been working with a naturopath but she has no experience with feeding tubes. he will need all his strength to deal with the proposed treatment and we find questionable value in the 'sterile' cans, as promoted by the dieticion. we have always been interested in 'live' food. if you have any recipes or tips to share we would be very grateful for the help. good luck in your journey

    NUTRITION / HEALTHY EATING / LIQUID NUTRITION TIPS:
    Welcome....

    There are several links and information for your questions on the SuperThread. It's a post updated with information from many on here periodically by Sweetblood22 (Dawn & Nizzy).

    Look under the Subject above about half way down the thread and you'll find many links;

    SuperThread

    Thoughts & Prayers,
    John
  • edwardnorton
    edwardnorton Member Posts: 1
    How about if someone asks for it???