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Enteral Feeding / Feeding Tube Supplies
Enteral tube feeding provides patients who can’t eat or drink enough, or who suffer from GI disorders, with an alternative means of being fed. Enteral nutrition, by means of an enteral feeding tube, is often the only possible way for such patients to receive sustenance. Read More...
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CORFLO Ultra Nasogastric Pediatric Feeding Tube w/ Stylet
Starting at $35.32 -
CORFLO Ultra Nasogastric Feeding Tube w/ Stylet
Starting at $39.41
What is in Feeding Tube Formula?
Standard tube feeding formulas are designed to be nutritionally complete, and include all the necessary nutrients for staying healthy. Some are even comprised of real food blends.Formulas will usually provide the patient with the following important ingredients: Carbohydrates, healthy fats, protein, fiber, water, vitamins, and minerals.
Water
Water is crucial because it allows a patient to stay hydrated. All formulas contain water. The chart below brings out how much water is in each size formula.
| FORMULA | PERCENT OF WATER |
|---|---|
|
1.0 kcal/mL |
84% |
|
1.2 kcal/mL |
82% |
|
1.5 kcal/mL |
76% |
|
2.0 kcal/mL |
70% |
Carbohydrates
Carbs provide the body with energy. Therefore, many enteral formulas include corn syrup, corn maltodextrin (form of cornstarch), table sugar, and fructose. These carbs also add flavor to the formula.
Some formulas also include insoluble fiber, which aids in digestion.
Protein
Protein assists in immune function, and helps build and repair tissues. Formulas usually include soy protein isolate, Whey, and/or casein. Although casein and whey are both extracted from cow’s milk, they are not dairy, since the lactose has been taken out.
Fats
Healthy fats are important. They protect organs, are needed for blood clotting, and serve many other purposes in helping the body stay healthy. Plant oils are a source of fat in many formulas.
Vitamins and Minerals
Formulas usually contain the full selection of necessary vitamins and minerals. Often, vitamins are listed by chemical names. Common vitamins found in formulas include the following:
| Vitamin | Chemical Name |
|---|---|
|
Vitamin E |
Tocopheryl |
|
Vitamin B3 |
Niacinimide |
|
Vitamin B6 |
Pyridoxine |
|
Vitamin K |
Phytonadione/Phylloquinone |
|
Vitamin B12 |
Cyanocobalamin |
Can Glucerna Be Used for Tube Feeding?
Glucerna and Boost can be used for interim enteral feeding, but is not recommended for long-term use. Boost Compact should not be used for tube feeding at all.
KCal/mL Options
Most brands offer formulas with a kcal/mL of 1.0 or of 1.5, and some also carry formulas with other amounts of calories per mL. The most commonly used kcal per mL amount is 1.5. Jevity 1.5, Isosource 1.5, Osmolite 1.5, and Glucerna 1.5, Nutren 2.0 are a few examples of popular enteral formulas. To help you find the product you need, we’ve curated the following thorough list of the kcal/mL options from popular brands.
| KCal/mL Options by Brand | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1.0 Cal |
1.2 Cal |
1.5 Cal |
1.8 |
2.0 |
|
|
Jevity |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
||
|
Isosource |
✔ |
✔ |
|||
|
Osmolite |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
||
|
Ensure |
✔ |
||||
|
PediaSure |
✔ |
✔ |
|||
|
Nepro |
✔ |
||||
|
Nutren |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
||
|
Kate Farms |
✔ |
✔(pediatric) |
✔(peptide) |
||
|
Suplena |
✔ |
||||
|
TwoCal HN |
✔ |
||||
|
FiberSource HN |
✔ |
||||
At AvaCare Medical, there are enteral feeding kits, feeding tube backpacks, feeding syringes, and numerous formulas that can provide patients with proper enteral nutrition.