super high calorie shake that can pass through PEG tube

I thought I would share the recipe I have used to keep my husband’s weight stable during chemo/radiation. He started at 160 lbs., lost 5 lbs. after the first two weeks of treatment, then ended treatment three days ago at 160 lbs. We were told he would lose lots of weight, so I am pleased to say that doesn't have to happen. Oh yes, he also has 3 liters of water by tube every day.

He has stage 4a base of tongue squamous cell carcinoma. He had 35 radiation treatments while simultaneously having chemo over 7 weeks time--1 dose of cisplatin (that caused him to lose some of his hearing), then 5 weekly treatments of carboplatin and taxol.

He had a PEG placed before he started treatment, and although he has been able to swallow water, pills, and Throat Coat tea, he has had little food for the last 5 weeks. (Today he had maybe a 1/4 cup of cream of wheat. I was delighted!!!)

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about specific ingredients. You can also visit his Caring Bridge blog at https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kevindavidsmith
Karen


Recipe for the super-high calorie shake (Total calories 1310):
This is my feeding tube recipe. This shake makes two servings. I make it in the morning, and save half for an evening meal in the refrigerator. Allow it to sit at room temperature for a bit of time, so it is more comfortable going through the tube.

1 can high calorie liquid meal replacement (Nutren 1.5, could use Ensure)
(15 g/protein, 375 calories)
1 envelope Carnation Instant Breakfast powder
(5 g/protein, 130 calories)
2 scoops EAS 100% whey protein powder (found at Target)
(23 g/protein, 240 calories)
3/4 cup Organic Half-and-Half
(6 g/protein, 240 calories)
3/4 cup prune juice
(1.5 g/protein, 135 calories)
1 ripe banana (108 calories)
1 Tblsp. *Barlean's Total Omega 3/6/9 oil, pomegranate blueberry flavor
(70 calories)
2 capsules *New Chapter Probiotic Immunity (to help with digestion)
2 capsules *Branched Chain Amino Acid Complex (to protect muscle tissue)
1 tablet Centrum chewable multi-vitamin (crushed)
1 tablet Zinc (crushed)
2 tsp. Fiber powder (Benefiber) (to help with constipation)
(15 calories)

Blend until very smooth, so it can pass through a feeding tube.
(* Ingredients can be found at a health food store.)




When husband was able to handle the taste of a shake by mouth, I would use this same recipe as above (minus the 3/4 cup half-and-half which was too rich for him to drink), but also add:
1/4 cup Half-and-Half
(2 g/protein, 80 calories)
1/2 cup whole milk
(4 g/protein, 75 calories)
1/4 cup walnuts (they blend very smooth in a blender)
(4.5 g/protein, 196 calories)
1/4 cup organic whole milk yogurt
(2 g/protein, 37 calories)
2 heaping Tblsp. Flax seed, ground
(3 g/protein, 45 calories)
2 heaping Tblsp. Wheat germ
(4 g/protein, 55 calories)
3-4 kinds of fresh or frozen fruits (strawberries, blueberries, peaches, pears, raspberries, mango, cantaloupe)

Total 1558 calories (plus the calories from the fresh/frozen fruit)




2 weeks after chemo/radiation is completely over, we will add anti-oxidents back into his diet, and the shake will additionally include:
2 Tblsp. *Noni juice
2 Tblsp. *Acai juice
1 packet Emergen-C powder (vitamin C powder)
1 Tblsp. *Green Vibrance (powdered organic greens, grasses, concentrated superfood)