What To Eat With a Button Feeding Tube

Patients on a button feeding tube (G-tube) require either total or supplemental nutritional support. Total nutritional support mandates a diet consisting exclusively of nutrients provided by enteral formulas, whereas supplemental nutritional support allows the patient to consume solid foods in addition to the enteral formula. The patient's physician and a hospital dietitian determine the patient's solid and supplemental intake.

Dietitian Consultation

• A G-tube is inserted in the top of the abdomen.

  After having a feeding tube inserted, and prior to discharge from the hospital, the patient will be examined by a dietitian, who will use the patient's height and weight to determine the body mass index, or BMI. The BMI number is combined with a six-month tally of weight loss due to illness to arrive at a malnutrition number. It is on this resulting malnutrition number that the dietitian can determine a care plan for the patient.

Appetite and Eating Times

• Enteral formulas provide most of the nutrients that a patient requires.

  Making solid foods more appealing is necessary in order to prompt tube-fed patients to eat. If the patient's appetite permits, it is best to eat small meals and healthy snacks several times per day. Because it is best not to force patients to eat solid foods, dietitians counsel indulging them in the nutrient-dense foods that they like whenever they have an appetite.

Types of Foods

• A treatment plan is determined after a consultation with a hospital dietician.

  Nutrient-rich, high-vitamin and mineral-dense foods with a high caloric content are recommended for those who are able to eat while on the G-tube. Non-red meat foods are recommended for sources of protein. Fish, poultry and dairy items are preferred substitutes for red meats. Cheese and crackers, muffins and puddings are all excellent high-calorie, high-protein snacks. Additional quality solid foods include yogurts, milkshakes, cream cheese and peanut butter. While these are all excellent selections, G-tube patients generally work closely with their physician or dietitian on their specifics for a healthy diet.

Blended Foods

• Relying on blended solid foods over enteral formulas has become popular for many requiring total nutritional support as well. Aside from the associated cost issue in some circumstances, choosing solid foods over enteral formulas has become popular based on the patients' ability to "taste" the foods that they have been craving.

Concerns

• The solid foods in home formula should be blended well.

  One concern about blended foods as opposed to nutritional supplements is that blended foods do not provide all of the nutrients that the body requires. Formulas, on the other hand, include these nutrients as supplements.

  Another concern is food clogging the G-tube. After blending the solid foods, they should be run through a strainer to prevent any clogging that could result in the complicated task of replacing the tube.