PEG food

adventurebob
adventurebob Member Posts: 691
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Hey guys,
As I'm finishing up the first week of rads I'm making sure I have everything in order to begin using the PEG as soon as it's necessary, if at all. I'm not happy with the ingredients for the canned feedings that my doc has supplied, even though we did find a vegan option. I'm also not finding anything commercially available that is affordable or packs the caloric punch of the canned stuff. There is also the concern of clogging the tube with anything that is not sediment free, ruling out a couple options as well.
Any suggestions for a good organic vegan whole food high calorie feeding? I'm willing to purchase all the ingredients and make it myself if need be as well as invest in whatever high powered blender/food processor may be required. It would be great to have a simple recipe that is nutritionally sound that could be made up in 1-2 day batches and always have ready. I've been researching and have some ideas of my own but it would be great to find something that one of us already has used and trusts. It's nice being able to call upon so much experience in one spot. Thank you all for being here and sharing.

Bob

Comments

  • Irishgypsie
    Irishgypsie Member Posts: 333
    #2
    Why make things difficult? :(
    I'm not sure I understand. Is it you are a vegan and don't like Jevity or insurance won't cover Jevity? Because really that's what should be prescribed by your doctor. You should be using Jevity tube feeding. I wouldn't use homemade stuff; plus why make things more difficult. just open the can and poor!!! You can do all the juicing/vegan diet once treatment is done!!!

    Charles
  • adventurebob
    adventurebob Member Posts: 691
    #3
    Irishgypsie said:

    Why make things difficult? :(
    I'm not sure I understand. Is it you are a vegan and don't like Jevity or insurance won't cover Jevity? Because really that's what should be prescribed by your doctor. You should be using Jevity tube feeding. I wouldn't use homemade stuff; plus why make things more difficult. just open the can and poor!!! You can do all the juicing/vegan diet once treatment is done!!!

    Charles

    choice
    Thanks Charles. I appreciate your point of view. Convenience is important during this time. My beliefs regarding the importance of organic wholesome food is strongly telling me not to take the convenient route and instead seek a higher and healthier road. My research into health and nutrition has shown me that some of the ingredients used in the canned feedings are actually cancer causing. I realize my beliefs aren't shared by all, especially the medical community and everyone's intentions are basically good. Thank you for your good intentions. All my best.

    Bob
  • Greg53
    Greg53 Member Posts: 849
    #4
    adventurebob said:

    choice
    Thanks Charles. I appreciate your point of view. Convenience is important during this time. My beliefs regarding the importance of organic wholesome food is strongly telling me not to take the convenient route and instead seek a higher and healthier road. My research into health and nutrition has shown me that some of the ingredients used in the canned feedings are actually cancer causing. I realize my beliefs aren't shared by all, especially the medical community and everyone's intentions are basically good. Thank you for your good intentions. All my best.

    Bob

    Spiru-Tein
    Hey Bob,

    Haven't been on in awhile so first things first - congrats on your Giants winning!

    I had to use my PEG for about 7 months. I was trying the whole time to find things that I could pump thru that were healthier than the carnation/jevity, etc. I know they (docs) said not to, but I ended up getting a high grade food processor and made my own smoothies that I would pump thru my PEG. As long as there were no seeds or clumps in the smoothie I had no trouble pumping it through and like I said I had it for 7 months.

    For when I went back to work and didn't have a lot of time I ended up using Spiru-Tein. It's made by Nature's Plus. It is like the jevity, ie-"a complete meal" but soy based. It came in powder form and I mixed it with soy, almond, hemp or rice milk. I also would add my vits and supplements I was taking to this mix. I found the Spiru-Tein at several different local health stores and also saw it online. I also drank Odwallo all the time and still do. These are smoothies already made up and I like the taste. They come in different varities such as protein mix, berry mix, vit c mix, etc. They aren't cheap but each had anywhere from 300 to 600 calories and were very healthy. Found those at most grocery stores and the specialty "health" grocery stores also. My wife found coupons for these since I still go thru 2 a day (like I said, I do like these).

    Hope this helps.

    Positive thoughts headed your way!

    Greg

    ps- headed out on a 14 mile hike this Sunday. Not in the Grand Canyon, but some big hills in Missouri
  • adventurebob
    adventurebob Member Posts: 691
    #5
    Greg53 said:

    Spiru-Tein
    Hey Bob,

    Haven't been on in awhile so first things first - congrats on your Giants winning!

    I had to use my PEG for about 7 months. I was trying the whole time to find things that I could pump thru that were healthier than the carnation/jevity, etc. I know they (docs) said not to, but I ended up getting a high grade food processor and made my own smoothies that I would pump thru my PEG. As long as there were no seeds or clumps in the smoothie I had no trouble pumping it through and like I said I had it for 7 months.

    For when I went back to work and didn't have a lot of time I ended up using Spiru-Tein. It's made by Nature's Plus. It is like the jevity, ie-"a complete meal" but soy based. It came in powder form and I mixed it with soy, almond, hemp or rice milk. I also would add my vits and supplements I was taking to this mix. I found the Spiru-Tein at several different local health stores and also saw it online. I also drank Odwallo all the time and still do. These are smoothies already made up and I like the taste. They come in different varities such as protein mix, berry mix, vit c mix, etc. They aren't cheap but each had anywhere from 300 to 600 calories and were very healthy. Found those at most grocery stores and the specialty "health" grocery stores also. My wife found coupons for these since I still go thru 2 a day (like I said, I do like these).

    Hope this helps.

    Positive thoughts headed your way!

    Greg

    ps- headed out on a 14 mile hike this Sunday. Not in the Grand Canyon, but some big hills in Missouri

    Awesome!
    Thanks Greg. Great information. I'll check out Spiru-Tein. I've had the Odwalla's before and enjoy them also. I'll revisit them at the grocery store. Any issues with stomach aches or digestion with the tube feedings? Solutions?
    A 14 miler in the hills sounds absolutely wonderful. I've heard many good things about Missouri and the Ozarks. I've even driven through a few times and thought it was quite beautiful. So good to hear about that kind of activity and life post-treatment. I'm smiling thinking about it. Thanks again, keep on hiking brother.

    Bob
  • susan0803
    susan0803 Member Posts: 90
    #6
    adventurebob said:

    Awesome!
    Thanks Greg. Great information. I'll check out Spiru-Tein. I've had the Odwalla's before and enjoy them also. I'll revisit them at the grocery store. Any issues with stomach aches or digestion with the tube feedings? Solutions?
    A 14 miler in the hills sounds absolutely wonderful. I've heard many good things about Missouri and the Ozarks. I've even driven through a few times and thought it was quite beautiful. So good to hear about that kind of activity and life post-treatment. I'm smiling thinking about it. Thanks again, keep on hiking brother.

    Bob

    some other possible plant based suggestions for the tube
    Bob,
    Scam on this board has recommended a product called Vitashake by Sunrider, which is a plant base nutrition supplement. Maybe he'll comment more on it.

    My husband hasn't used the tube that much yet but he also is vegan. He tried the TwoCalHn that the nutritionist ordered for us but he did not like it (and it has casein in it). He tried several other pre-made shakes and ended up using one called "looking good" by CalNaturale svelte that he was drinking before he started using it in the tube. It's high in protein and he waters it down so it doesn't clog the tube. I was concerned (and still am) that he isn't getting enough other nutrients, but he is still able to swallow his vitamins and a little bit of food so maybe the shake he is doing in his tube 2xday is enough. (don't know yet). Just thought I would mention this product to you. You can purchase it from Amazon.

    Also - maybe try purchasing a Vitamix? It's basically a high powered blender that makes whole foods into liquids. Maybe try that and add more water to make it thinner?

    Hope this helps - even a little bit.
    S.
  • luv4lacrosse
    luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
    #7
    TUBE FEED SUGGESTION
    Bob, I use a product called TwoCal HN. It is made by Ross Nutrition, a div. of Abbott Labs. One 8oz. Can has 475 Calories and high in ptotien. I am actually gaining weight faster than I expected. I have probably gained 10 lbs in 3 weeks. This time around, I think for overall good health, I do not want to weigh more than 190 or tops 200. Before diagnosis I was 240 lbs and at the tail end of my Powerlifting Competitions. Since I lost the weight, and have my BP documented at or around 125 -130 over 77-86. My doc's have pulled my off of all of mt HBP meds.

    I also do Juven, A Glutamine drink each day through my tube. I am just e weeks post treatment and cannot get anything down by mouth as the mucous is still so bad. Thde stuff I am taking is basically recommended by the Oncology Dietician team.

    Hope this helps

    Mike
  • Scambuster
    Scambuster Member Posts: 973
    #8
    susan0803 said:

    some other possible plant based suggestions for the tube
    Bob,
    Scam on this board has recommended a product called Vitashake by Sunrider, which is a plant base nutrition supplement. Maybe he'll comment more on it.

    My husband hasn't used the tube that much yet but he also is vegan. He tried the TwoCalHn that the nutritionist ordered for us but he did not like it (and it has casein in it). He tried several other pre-made shakes and ended up using one called "looking good" by CalNaturale svelte that he was drinking before he started using it in the tube. It's high in protein and he waters it down so it doesn't clog the tube. I was concerned (and still am) that he isn't getting enough other nutrients, but he is still able to swallow his vitamins and a little bit of food so maybe the shake he is doing in his tube 2xday is enough. (don't know yet). Just thought I would mention this product to you. You can purchase it from Amazon.

    Also - maybe try purchasing a Vitamix? It's basically a high powered blender that makes whole foods into liquids. Maybe try that and add more water to make it thinner?

    Hope this helps - even a little bit.
    S.

    Vitashake
    HI Bob,

    Yes as Suzanne mentioned, I couldn't tolerate the Hospital muck and found Vitashake. For me, it was lifesaver and I think the product is excellent though it maybe a on the expensive side, it was well worth it. I see online it is $22 for a 10 Pack box. I had one Satchel with about 200-300ml of Organic Rice, Almond, Soy or Hazelnut milk. Mix up in a small Shaker bottle and pour into the gravity feed cup. Each serve is about 400 Cals so 4- 5 feeds a day with keep you in very good shape (2000cals/day)

    You can add some vital greens (Powder) and vary the milk substitute quantity in case it gets too thick. I will post the nutritional info in the next post. Comes in 2 Flavor, Coco or Strawberry. I am 1 year out and I still take one a day to top up in nutrition as I am Vegan these days. I also add one small satchel of their Vitadofilus (Probiotic) which helps with digestion. I also toss in a spoon of L Glutamine Powder and MCP. Vitashake is a very good products and worth a try. You may want to get 2 or three different products as suggested by others and mix and match and see which one agrees best, or simply take a range of feeds. This is an important phase to sort out Bob as having the right nutrition is critical to recovery.

    Hope this helps.
    Scam
  • Scambuster
    Scambuster Member Posts: 973
    #9
    Scambuster said:

    Vitashake
    HI Bob,

    Yes as Suzanne mentioned, I couldn't tolerate the Hospital muck and found Vitashake. For me, it was lifesaver and I think the product is excellent though it maybe a on the expensive side, it was well worth it. I see online it is $22 for a 10 Pack box. I had one Satchel with about 200-300ml of Organic Rice, Almond, Soy or Hazelnut milk. Mix up in a small Shaker bottle and pour into the gravity feed cup. Each serve is about 400 Cals so 4- 5 feeds a day with keep you in very good shape (2000cals/day)

    You can add some vital greens (Powder) and vary the milk substitute quantity in case it gets too thick. I will post the nutritional info in the next post. Comes in 2 Flavor, Coco or Strawberry. I am 1 year out and I still take one a day to top up in nutrition as I am Vegan these days. I also add one small satchel of their Vitadofilus (Probiotic) which helps with digestion. I also toss in a spoon of L Glutamine Powder and MCP. Vitashake is a very good products and worth a try. You may want to get 2 or three different products as suggested by others and mix and match and see which one agrees best, or simply take a range of feeds. This is an important phase to sort out Bob as having the right nutrition is critical to recovery.

    Hope this helps.
    Scam

    VITASHAKE - NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
    Cocoa flavored VitaShake™ Ingredients:

    Coix fruit, Fructose, Soy protein, Alkali processed cocoa powder, Fructooligosaccharide, Natural flavor, Chinese yam, Fox nut, Maltodextrin, Lotus seed, Lotus root, Waterlily bulb, Potassium phosphate, Calcium phosphate, Imperate root, Magnesium oxide, Stearic acid, Carrageenan, Calcium carbonate, Lecithin, Xanthan gum, Manganese (yeast), Niacinamide ascorbate, Chromium (yeast), Iron (fumarate), Molybdenum (yeast), Selenium (yeast), Vegetable oil, Vitamin E (tocopheryl acetate), Zinc oxide, Copper gluconate, Calcium pantothenate, Vitamin A (beta carotene), Vitamin B6 (pyroxidine hci), Thiamin (mononitrate), Riboflavin, Folic acid, Biotin, Iodine (potassium iodide), Vitamin K (menadione), Vitamin D (ergocalciferol) and Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamine).

    Strawberry VitaShake™ Ingredients: (Same but with Strawberry Fruit Powder +)

    Nutrition Facts: Serving Size 1 package (25g)
    Calories: 95 * Total Fat: <1g * Sodium: 55mg * Dietary Fiber: 3g *Protein : 4g* Sugars: 5g*Carbohydrates: 18g Contains milk and soybeans.

    Percent of Daily Values (DV) are based on a 2,000 calorie diet: Vitamin A 25% * Vitamin C 25% * Calcium 20% * Iron 20% * Vitamin D 25% *Vitamin E 25% * Vitamin K 25% * Thiamin 25% * Riboflavin 25% * Niacin 25% * Vitamin B6 25% * Folate 25% * Vitamin B12 25% * Phosphorus 20% Iodine 25% * Magnesium 25% * Zinc 25% * Salenium 25% * Copper 25% * Manganese 25% * Chromium 25% * Biotin 25% * Pantothenic Acid 25%
  • adventurebob
    adventurebob Member Posts: 691
    #10
    susan0803 said:

    some other possible plant based suggestions for the tube
    Bob,
    Scam on this board has recommended a product called Vitashake by Sunrider, which is a plant base nutrition supplement. Maybe he'll comment more on it.

    My husband hasn't used the tube that much yet but he also is vegan. He tried the TwoCalHn that the nutritionist ordered for us but he did not like it (and it has casein in it). He tried several other pre-made shakes and ended up using one called "looking good" by CalNaturale svelte that he was drinking before he started using it in the tube. It's high in protein and he waters it down so it doesn't clog the tube. I was concerned (and still am) that he isn't getting enough other nutrients, but he is still able to swallow his vitamins and a little bit of food so maybe the shake he is doing in his tube 2xday is enough. (don't know yet). Just thought I would mention this product to you. You can purchase it from Amazon.

    Also - maybe try purchasing a Vitamix? It's basically a high powered blender that makes whole foods into liquids. Maybe try that and add more water to make it thinner?

    Hope this helps - even a little bit.
    S.

    helpful
    Thank you Susan. That is very helpful info. I think I probably will get the Vitamix. I'll check out CalNaturale too. My best to you and your husband.

    Bob
  • adventurebob
    adventurebob Member Posts: 691
    #11
    Scambuster said:

    Vitashake
    HI Bob,

    Yes as Suzanne mentioned, I couldn't tolerate the Hospital muck and found Vitashake. For me, it was lifesaver and I think the product is excellent though it maybe a on the expensive side, it was well worth it. I see online it is $22 for a 10 Pack box. I had one Satchel with about 200-300ml of Organic Rice, Almond, Soy or Hazelnut milk. Mix up in a small Shaker bottle and pour into the gravity feed cup. Each serve is about 400 Cals so 4- 5 feeds a day with keep you in very good shape (2000cals/day)

    You can add some vital greens (Powder) and vary the milk substitute quantity in case it gets too thick. I will post the nutritional info in the next post. Comes in 2 Flavor, Coco or Strawberry. I am 1 year out and I still take one a day to top up in nutrition as I am Vegan these days. I also add one small satchel of their Vitadofilus (Probiotic) which helps with digestion. I also toss in a spoon of L Glutamine Powder and MCP. Vitashake is a very good products and worth a try. You may want to get 2 or three different products as suggested by others and mix and match and see which one agrees best, or simply take a range of feeds. This is an important phase to sort out Bob as having the right nutrition is critical to recovery.

    Hope this helps.
    Scam

    Thanks Scam
    I remember you had mentioned the Vitashake before. I'll order up a box and see how it goes. I've found a couple others also. Have you seen VEGA? I'm considering using it with nut milks. Thanks for your help as always. Not sure what this board would do without you.

    Bob
  • adventurebob
    adventurebob Member Posts: 691
    #12
    luv4lacrosse said:

    TUBE FEED SUGGESTION
    Bob, I use a product called TwoCal HN. It is made by Ross Nutrition, a div. of Abbott Labs. One 8oz. Can has 475 Calories and high in ptotien. I am actually gaining weight faster than I expected. I have probably gained 10 lbs in 3 weeks. This time around, I think for overall good health, I do not want to weigh more than 190 or tops 200. Before diagnosis I was 240 lbs and at the tail end of my Powerlifting Competitions. Since I lost the weight, and have my BP documented at or around 125 -130 over 77-86. My doc's have pulled my off of all of mt HBP meds.

    I also do Juven, A Glutamine drink each day through my tube. I am just e weeks post treatment and cannot get anything down by mouth as the mucous is still so bad. Thde stuff I am taking is basically recommended by the Oncology Dietician team.

    Hope this helps

    Mike

    Thanks Mike
    I checked out the product. It really packs a heavy duty calorie punch for such a small volume of liquid. Thanks for the info. How you been doing lately? You were going back to work soon weren't you? Wishing you all the best in health and joy.

    Bob
  • Hijabi
    Hijabi Member Posts: 1
    edited December 2016 #13
    I found this,

    I found this,

    http://functionalformularies.com/products/liquid-hope

    http://www.realfoodblends.com/

    http://katefarms.com/pages/enteral-feeding (I don't know wether this can be used as PEG tube or not)

    :)

     

     

     

     

     

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #14
    Fat Food

     

    I use that can milk stuff only when I need to travel by air other than that; I stop and get a hamburger and French fries and mix it with my veggie broth and blend it using my magic bullet and a 12 volt to 110 volts’ inverter I hook on my truck battery. The other night my wife and caretaker went out and have Pizza with a side salad, I asked the lady if I could blend it at my table because there was a 110v outlet right there, she had no problem with it. I try to be and live as normal as possible and I find people who are always willing to help.

     

    Hope you can put the FAT on

     

    Tim

     

  • dygit
    dygit Member Posts: 40 Member
    edited December 2016 #15
    Food that worked for me in PEG

    This is what my wife and I came up with that worked great:

    We did three shakes a day plus plenty of water and home made electrolyte mix in water.  With the added electrolytes in water we wanted to deliver salt, potassium and a tablespoon of sugar to him as the therapy robs the body of nutrients.  Consult your doctor for specifics for your condition. 

    Our base:
    Scandishake is a powder with some nutrition and 460 calories per envelope.   If your patient can tolerate milk, soy milk, or almond milk you can add another 100 calories of extra nutrients to each shake.  Otherwise use water to mix.  Scandi Shake is made by Nestle.  Available by the case twelve boxes with four shakes each.  Plan ahead.  Order on Amazon Prime or through Walmart.  Free shipping) . We use three a day. 

    To begin:

    SCANDI SHAKE (vanilla as chocolate can aggravate acid reflux in some) three x a day as my base. 
    Scandi:    460 calories                  6 grams of protein

    Importantly pointed out by the dietician, we wanted to get at least 60 to seventy grams of protein each day.  By adding other ingredients...especially protein...we raised the nutrition in every shake.  I got the calories of each combined shake to 570 to 670 calories per shake.  26 or more grams of protein in each shake depending on what you add. 

    Coconut oil (helps lubricate the digestive system) 
    1 tablespoon  per shake              90 calories

    Milk, soy milk, or almond milk
    100 to 150 calories       6 grams protein

    Additional Sources of healthy Protein Below:  We added additional healthy supplements I found at Costco:
    Vega Protein and greens Powder 
    110 calories          20 grams of protein

    I found the vitamins hard to crush in a pill crusher so I used the flat side of a meat mallet and some parchment paper. I placed the pills in the folded paper and crushed them with the mallet then put them in one of the mixed shakes everyday depending on your patient and your doctors advice.  

    Two weeks after treatment  (I was advised by Doctor this was when to introduce them, not before...consult your doctor).  I started adding antioxidants obtained in a vegan antioxidant vegetable powder I got at Costco.  We added two scoops to one or two shakes a day.  

    Hope this helps...

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #16
    Hondo said:

    Fat Food

     

    I use that can milk stuff only when I need to travel by air other than that; I stop and get a hamburger and French fries and mix it with my veggie broth and blend it using my magic bullet and a 12 volt to 110 volts’ inverter I hook on my truck battery. The other night my wife and caretaker went out and have Pizza with a side salad, I asked the lady if I could blend it at my table because there was a 110v outlet right there, she had no problem with it. I try to be and live as normal as possible and I find people who are always willing to help.

     

    Hope you can put the FAT on

     

    Tim

     

    I can see you Tim

    HON

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #17
    CivilMatt said:

    I can see you Tim

    HON

    Hi Matt

     

    Wanted to take my wife out the other day but we did not know where we wanted to eat, so we ending up in a fast food burger please. She got what she wanted and I got a checking burger with fries. As you said Magic Bullet came along with us for the ride, right there I put it in the cup with water and started to blend it up and down the tube it went. Like I said if it can blend I can eat it.

     

    Thanks

     

    Tim

     

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