Tag: Feeding

According to the World Gastroenterology Organisation, digestive diseases impact more than 20% of the global population, beginning with the fundamental step of taking in food. The word for taking in food is 'ingestion,' a crucial process that precedes digestion and provides the body with the raw materials needed for energy and growth. This initial phase sets the stage for everything that follows in the complex human digestive system.

The World Health Organization reports that nearly half of deaths among children under 5 years of age are linked to undernutrition. Properly feeding a malnourished person is a critical intervention that must be approached with caution and careful planning to ensure a safe and successful recovery without causing life-threatening complications.

Often called “liquid gold,” colostrum is the first milk produced by mammals and is uniquely suited for a newborn's first few days of life, offering a concentrated dose of immune-boosting nutrients and antibodies. While its nutrient profile differs significantly from mature breast milk, both are essential and perfectly designed for a baby's specific stage of development.

While most people associate food consumption with eating, humans and other organisms utilize a variety of methods to take in nutrients. These diverse approaches, ranging from standard oral ingestion to specialized medical procedures, are all essential ways to fuel the body and sustain life.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, supplements like PediaSure should only be used when children cannot get sufficient nutrients from their diets. A common question for parents is, "Can I water down PediaSure?" The answer depends on the product version, as diluting ready-to-drink options can compromise its nutritional value and defeat its purpose.

According to Study.com, the process of ingestion involves bringing food into the body through the mouth. This initial, fundamental step is the gateway to the entire digestive process, making it essential for all living organisms to obtain energy. The act of eating begins with the voluntary act of placing food in the mouth, followed by a sequence of both voluntary and involuntary actions.

A newborn's stomach is only about the size of a marble, which is why they only need a few teaspoons of the nutrient-dense first milk, known as colostrum, in the first 24 hours. The question of how much colostrum do you need a day is a common concern for new parents, and the answer is surprisingly little, but every drop is invaluable for your baby's health and immunity.

While both processes lead to nutrient intake, studies show that feeding is often an interactive, dependent act, especially for infants, whereas eating is an autonomous, often psychologically-driven, process for older individuals. Understanding what is the difference between feeding and eating is foundational for developing a healthy relationship with food.

According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), feeding is a complex process encompassing everything from preparing food to swallowing, which can even occur via non-oral routes. Therefore, understanding **what is considered feeding** is essential for grasping the entirety of a person’s nutritional intake, not just the act of eating.

While purees have a liquid-like consistency, for clinical nutrition and therapeutic diets, pureed foods are not typically considered true liquids and should not be consumed with a straw. This critical distinction helps clarify the fundamental properties of purees and informs safe feeding practices, especially for those with swallowing difficulties.