Feeding Tube Awareness Week
For some people, using a feeding tube is a part of daily life. Feeding tubes can provide nutrition support for those unable to consume enough healthy foods to sustain health, growth, or optimal nutrition status. A feeding tube can also provide complete nutrition for those unable to chew, swallow, or use the upper part of their GI system. As a registered dietitian, I have calculated nutrient needs for many people who use feeding tubes. While calorie, protein, carbohydrate, total energy, vitamin, and mineral needs vary based on diagnosis, health status, times of growth, and other factors, meeting these needs is crucial for achieving and maintaining optimal health. Nutrition for tubies (people who use feeding tubes) comes in two forms: (a) a commercially manufactured formula and (b) blenderized food. Manufactured formulas are optimal in hospitals and long-term care facilities and when feeding tubes are needed only short-term. When a feeding tube is needed long-term and when approved by a physician and dietitian, using blenderized food is a great option. Using real food to provide nutrition can be more economical than buying commercially manufactured formulas. Additionally, home-blended formulas provide greater nutrient variety in the diet. Before switching to blenderized foods, it's vital to consult with a nutritionist to ensure the foods provide adequate protein, carbohydrates, fat, and total calories, along with a balance of vitamins, minerals, and adequate fluids. When food is used to provide complete nutrition for tubies, the food must be blended extremely well so the tube doesn't become clogged and cause complications. Blendtec's home-use blenders are powerful enough to pulverize regular foods to the point that they can be used in a feeding tube without complications. 
Tube Feeding
Photo Courtesy of Bobbi Taylor Many people around the world use Blendtec blenders daily to meet the nutritional needs of tubies. One example is Kenny, who was born August 20, 2009, at 32 weeks gestation. After many long days and nights wondering if everything was going to be okay, Kenny's family was finally able to take him home. But the challenges weren't over. In his first year, Kenny was diagnosed with quad spastic cerebral palsy, cortical visual impairment, hydrocephalus, and infantile spasms. Despite all this, Kenny, who is now 3½ years old, enjoys life. Homemade tube food has been the best option for Kenny, and using a Blendtec blender has made it easier for Kenny's mom to prepare the formulas and to include a greater variety of nutritious foods, helping Kenny become healthier. To learn more about Kenny and his progress, you can visit his Facebook page: Kenny's Journey and Stem Cells.
Kenny Enjoying Life
Photo Courtesy of Bobbi Taylor[/caption] Ensuring tubies receive balanced nutrition is essential, and Blendtec's employees feel privileged to play a small role in this process by offering high-powered blenders that pulverize whole foods into healthy tube foods. References: P. Q. Samour and K. King, Handbook of Pediatric Nutrition, 3rd ed. (Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett, 2005). L. K. Mahan and S. Escott-Stump, Krause’s Food and Nutrition Therapy, 12th ed. (St. Louis, MO: Elsevier, 2008).
Tube Feeding Photo Courtesy of Bobbi Taylor Many people around the world use Blendtec blenders daily to meet the nutritional needs of tubies. One example is Kenny, who was born August 20, 2009, at 32 weeks gestation. After many long days and nights wondering if everything was going to be okay, Kenny's family was finally able to take him home. But the challenges weren't over. In his first year, Kenny was diagnosed with quad spastic cerebral palsy, cortical visual impairment, hydrocephalus, and infantile spasms. Despite all this, Kenny, who is now 3½ years old, enjoys life. Homemade tube food has been the best option for Kenny, and using a Blendtec blender has made it easier for Kenny's mom to prepare the formulas and to include a greater variety of nutritious foods, helping Kenny become healthier. To learn more about Kenny and his progress, you can visit his Facebook page: Kenny's Journey and Stem Cells.
Kenny Enjoying LifePhoto Courtesy of Bobbi Taylor[/caption] Ensuring tubies receive balanced nutrition is essential, and Blendtec's employees feel privileged to play a small role in this process by offering high-powered blenders that pulverize whole foods into healthy tube foods. References: P. Q. Samour and K. King, Handbook of Pediatric Nutrition, 3rd ed. (Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett, 2005). L. K. Mahan and S. Escott-Stump, Krause’s Food and Nutrition Therapy, 12th ed. (St. Louis, MO: Elsevier, 2008).
Thank you for raising awareness of our kiddos’ tubes and how they are LIFE!
Thank you Blendtec for helping make life easier and healthier for my daughter and her precious tubie boy Tristan!
WOW.. thank you so much for all that you have done and continue to do for the tube feeding community. Not only has your company been overly gracious, but your staff have always been so friendly and pleasant. Thank You so so so much! Blendtec is the best blender! I use the twister jar and it works brilliantly for our needs.
Thank you so much for supporting Feeding Tube Awareness week! We love our Blendtec blender, it is so wonderful to be able to provide our child with all of the nutrition he needs and know what he’s actually eating. This is the most AMAZING blender!!
We love our blendtec for making a blended tube fed diet for our daughter who is unsafe to take anything by mouth. Thank you for acknowledging the tubie families and for providing a product that makes our lives easier and our children healthier!
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