What Can Be Fed Through a Feeding Tube?

October 31, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the American College of Gastroenterology, enteral nutrition is necessary when a person cannot meet their nutritional goals orally but has a functioning gastrointestinal tract. This guide explains exactly what can be fed through a feeding tube, from commercial formulas to homemade blends and medication.

Quick Summary

A feeding tube can deliver commercial liquid formulas, blenderized whole foods, prescribed medications, and water directly into the digestive system. A healthcare provider tailors the diet based on individual nutritional needs, tube placement, and tolerance.

Key Points

Commercial Formulas: Ready-to-use liquid formulas provide a balanced, consistent nutrient profile, minimizing risk and preparation effort.
Blenderized Diets (BD): Homemade whole foods can be pureed and fed through larger tubes under medical supervision, offering a more natural diet but requiring careful hygiene and nutritional monitoring.
Medication Administration: Many liquid medications and some crushed tablets can be safely given through a feeding tube after confirming with a healthcare provider and flushing the tube properly.
Hydration: Meeting daily fluid needs is crucial and is achieved through scheduled water flushes and bolus feeds in addition to the fluid in formulas.
Risks and Safety: Homemade blenderized diets carry risks of nutritional deficiency, bacterial contamination, and tube clogging, making commercial options safer for many patients.
Professional Guidance is Essential: A doctor or dietitian must determine the appropriate type and amount of food and fluid based on the patient's specific health needs and tube type.

Commercial Formulas for Complete Nutrition

For most individuals with a feeding tube, commercial liquid formulas are the most common and safest option for delivering complete nutrition. These formulas are scientifically designed to contain the optimal balance of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals, making it easy to meet daily nutritional requirements. Healthcare providers and dietitians select specific formulas based on the patient's age, medical condition, and nutritional needs.

There are several categories of commercial formulas to suit different patient needs:

Polymeric formulas: These contain whole proteins and complex carbohydrates, making them suitable for most patients with a functional digestive system.
Elemental and semi-elemental formulas: These are made with pre-digested proteins and simpler carbohydrates for patients with compromised digestion or malabsorption issues.
Disease-specific formulas: These are specialized to meet the unique nutritional requirements of patients with specific medical conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease, or liver failure.
Blenderized formulas: Some commercial formulas contain real food ingredients and are designed to provide a more natural, whole-food diet option.

Commercial formulas offer convenience, consistent nutrient profiles, and reduced risk of microbial contamination compared to homemade preparations. They are specifically formulated to flow smoothly through the feeding tube, minimizing the risk of clogs.

Can you feed blenderized real food?

Yes, a blenderized diet (BD) of homemade, pureed whole foods can be fed through a feeding tube, but only under strict medical supervision and with careful preparation. A high-power blender is required to achieve a very smooth, thin consistency to prevent tube blockages. Foods are pureed with enough liquid to pass through the tube, resembling a thin cream.

Careful attention must be paid to food safety, storage, and preparation to minimize the risk of bacterial contamination. A dietitian should supervise the diet to ensure it is nutritionally complete and meets the patient's needs for calories, protein, and micronutrients, as deficiencies are a significant risk with homemade blends. BDs are typically suitable only for larger gastrostomy (G-tubes) and not smaller tubes like nasogastric or jejunostomy tubes, due to the risk of clogging.

Medication and Hydration Through a Feeding Tube

Beyond nutrition, feeding tubes are vital for administering medications and maintaining proper hydration.

Medications

Most medications that are normally taken by mouth can be given through a feeding tube, provided they are in the correct form.

Liquid Medications: This is the preferred method. Many drugs are available in liquid or suspension form that can be safely administered directly.
Crushed Tablets: Solid tablets can often be crushed and mixed with water, but this must be done with caution. It is crucial to consult a pharmacist or doctor first, as some tablets (e.g., extended-release, enteric-coated) should never be crushed due to the risk of affecting their absorption or potency.

It is essential to administer each medication individually and flush the tube with water before and after each dose to prevent interactions and blockages.

Hydration

Proper hydration is critical for patients with feeding tubes. While commercial formulas contain water, most patients require additional water flushes to meet their fluid needs.

Water Flushes: Giving small amounts of water before and after each feed or medication is essential for flushing the tube and maintaining hydration.
Bolus Feeds: Larger amounts of water can be given throughout the day to meet fluid goals, as directed by a healthcare provider.
Continuous Water: For some, water may be administered slowly over time using a pump.

Healthcare providers determine the appropriate daily fluid volume, but general guidelines are often used, such as 30–35 mL of fluid per kilogram of body weight for adults. Tap water is generally safe unless a patient is immunocompromised and requires sterile water.

Comparison of Tube Feeding Options


Feature	Commercial Formulas	Homemade Blenderized Diet
Nutritional Completeness	Guaranteed to meet daily requirements with precise, consistent macronutrient and micronutrient balance.	Requires diligent tracking and supplementation to prevent nutritional deficiencies.
Preparation	Simple; comes ready-to-use in cans or bags.	Time-consuming; requires chopping, blending, straining, and careful food safety practices.
Cost	Can be more expensive than food ingredients, but often covered by insurance.	Can be cheaper in terms of raw ingredients, but requires an investment in a high-quality blender.
Food Safety	Minimal risk of microbial contamination due to sterile processing and packaging.	Higher risk of bacterial growth if not prepared and stored with meticulous hygiene.
Risk of Clogging	Very low, as formulas are specifically engineered for tube flow.	Higher risk, especially with smaller or older tubes; requires smooth blending and frequent flushing.
Tolerance & Digestion	Formulas are tailored for various digestive needs (elemental, polymeric).	May be better tolerated by some, but requires careful adjustment for viscosity and volume.

Conclusion

What can be fed through a feeding tube includes a variety of options, from sterile commercial formulas to carefully prepared blenderized diets, as well as essential medications and water. The decision on the appropriate feeding regimen should always be made in close consultation with a healthcare team, including a doctor and a registered dietitian. Commercial formulas are a standard for safe, consistent nutrition, while homemade blenderized diets offer a more natural alternative for those able to manage the associated risks and preparation. Crucially, a feeding tube enables patients to receive the critical nutrition, hydration, and medication needed for recovery, growth, and overall well-being when they cannot consume these orally. Adherence to proper administration techniques and hygiene is paramount to prevent complications and ensure patient safety. [https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21098-tube-feeding--enteral-nutrition]

Frequently Asked Questions

You can feed regular food, but it must be completely pureed into a thin, smooth liquid consistency, known as a blenderized diet, and it must be done under strict medical supervision from a dietitian or doctor.

No. Only liquid medications or specific tablets that can be safely crushed and dissolved in water should be administered. Enteric-coated, extended-release, and slow-release pills must never be crushed.

To prevent tube clogs, always flush the tube with warm water before and after administering formula, medication, or water. Ensure any homemade blends are completely smooth and thin, and never use sharp objects to clear a clog.

Yes, water is essential for hydration and for flushing the tube. It can be given through all types of feeding tubes as scheduled flushes or bolus feeds, as directed by a healthcare provider.

A doctor or dietitian chooses the right formula based on the patient's specific medical condition, nutritional requirements for calories, protein, and micronutrients, and their digestive capabilities.

Yes, some people with feeding tubes can still eat and drink by mouth, depending on their ability to swallow safely. The feeding tube may be used to supplement their oral intake.

Key risks include inadequate nutrition due to an unbalanced diet, bacterial contamination if not prepared hygienically, and tube blockages from improperly blended food.