What foods should be used in diets with probes?

Tube diets, an essential way to provide nutrients and calories to people who cannot take food by mouth, require careful selection of foods and formulas. These diets use nasogastric, nasoenteric or gastrostomy tubes to deliver liquid or semi-liquid foods directly to the gastrointestinal tract.

In this session, we will explore in depth the foods suitable for tube diets, highlighting the importance of balanced nutrition and strategies to ensure effective and safe feeding.

Objectives of Enteral Nutrition

The primary goal of enteral nutrition is to ensure that the patient receives adequate intake of calories, protein, vitamins and essential minerals. This is crucial to prevent malnutrition and maintain health in situations where oral feeding is insufficient or impossible.

Most tube diets use commercial formulas designed specifically for this purpose. These formulas are complete and balanced, meaning that they contain all the necessary nutrients in proper proportions. Enteral formulas may be polymeric (for patients with normal gastrointestinal function) or specialized (for specific dietary needs).

Water and Hydration

Water is essential for health and should be administered through the tube. In some cases, specific oral hydration solutions may be administered to maintain proper water balance. Hydration is especially important for tube patients due to lack of oral intake.

Macronutrients and micronutrients

Protein is essential for tissue repair and growth. Enteral formulas usually contain protein in the form of casein, whey or soy protein to meet the patient's nutritional needs. The amount of protein is tailored to individual needs.

Carbohydrates in the form of starches and sugars are an important source of energy. Enteral formulas contain carbohydrates to provide energy to the patient and ensure that proteins are used for repair and growth functions rather than as a source of energy.

Fats are essential for the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and to provide a concentrated source of energy. Enteral formulas contain a balanced mix of fats to meet nutritional needs and provide essential fatty acids.

Vitamins and minerals are essential for a number of biological functions. Enteral formulas are designed to provide an adequate balance of these substances, but in some cases, specific supplements may be required to address