Patient Letter Template: Real Food Gastric Feeding Request

Instructions:

This is a template letter for you to give to your clinical care team to clearly communicate your nutritional preferences and your desire to collaborate on a real food–based approach to feeding. Edit and personalize as you see fit.

To the Clinical Care Team,

I am choosing to direct my nutritional care toward a real, whole-food–based enteral feeding approach.

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Patient Autonomy

Medical ethics are clear:

“The patient has the right to refuse and to choose their treatment.”

I am exercising that right.

This is not a rejection of your care—it is an invitation to collaborate.

Supporting my choice does not require you to adopt it as standard of care.

It reflects informed consent, shared decision-making, and ethical practice.

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My Request

Please support implementation of one of the following:

• Blenderized whole-food tube feeds, or

• Commercial real food formulas (e.g., Real Food Blends, Functional Formularies)

Kate Farms is not my preferred option (too much fructose).

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Why Is This My Requested Approach

Whole-food nutrition supports:

• Brain function and recovery

• Immune regulation

• Reduced inflammation

• Microbiome health

Standard formulas often rely on highly processed ingredients that do not optimally support healing.

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Collaboration & Safety

I respect clinical protocols and am committed to working with the care team to ensure:

• Safe preparation and administration

• Appropriate nutrition and hydration

• Compliance with clinical standards

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Shared Goal

We all want the same outcome:

the best possible recovery.

Thank you for your support and collaboration in helping implement this approach.

Real Food Gastric Feed Options

Real food–based enteral nutrition can be implemented in two primary ways:

1. Commercial Real Food Formulas (Most Practical in Clinical Settings)

These are ready-to-use, shelf-stable options made from whole-food ingredients and designed for tube feeding.

Examples:

• Real Food Blends

• Functional Formularies (e.g., Liquid Hope, Nourish)

Advantages:

• Standardized nutrition profiles

• Reduced contamination risk

• Easy storage and administration

• Clinically acceptable in many settings

Best Use Case:

• Hospitals, rehab centers, or situations requiring simplicity and compliance with protocols

2. Blenderized Whole-Food Tube Feeds (BTF)

These are custom-prepared feeds made from real, whole ingredients and blended to appropriate consistency.

Typical Components:

• Protein: eggs, meat, fish, collagen, legumes

• Fats: olive oil, avocado, coconut

• Carbohydrates: vegetables, fruits, root starches

• Liquids: water, bone broth

Advantages:

• Fully customizable nutrition

• Higher phytonutrient diversity

• Alignment with patient-specific needs

Considerations:

• Requires proper blending (high-powered blender recommended)

• Must meet tube size/viscosity requirements

• Food safety protocols required

  • Refrigerate ≤24 hours

  • Freeze if longer storage needed

Best Use Case:

• When caregiver involvement is available

3. Hybrid Approach (Often Ideal)

A combination of both:

• Use commercial formulas for consistency and convenience

• Supplement with blenderized feeds for nutrient diversity

This approach balances:

• Clinical practicality

• Nutritional optimization

Clinical Considerations for All Approaches

Ensure:

• Appropriate tube size (larger bore preferred for BTF)

• Adequate caloric and protein intake

• Proper hydration

• Monitoring of tolerance:

  • GI symptoms

  • residuals (if applicable)

  • bowel patterns

Digestive Support

Because gastric feeding bypasses the oral phase:

• Consider digestive enzyme support to assist breakdown and absorption

• Especially relevant for whole-food feeds

Summary

Real food gastric feeding can be implemented through:

• Commercial whole-food formulas (ease, consistency)

• Blenderized feeds (customization, nutrient density)

• Hybrid strategies (balance of both)

All approaches can be clinically viable when properly managed and aligned with patient goals.