Tube feed formulations and methods for using same

Abstract

Nutritional compositions that mimic whole foods and methods of using the nutritional compositions are provided. The nutritional compositions may include an increased number and variety of fruits and vegetables, an increased variety of macronutrient sources and an increased amount of other components that are found in whole foods. The nutritional compositions may also include ethnicity-specific meals and organic ingredients and provide emotional appeal to the patient and/or the patient's caregiver. Methods of administering such nutritional compositions to patients in need of same are also provided.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A tube feed formulation having a caloric density from about 1.0 kcal/mL to 2.0 kcal/mL and an osmolality up to 800 mOsm/kg water and consisting of organic ingredients comprising at least five different whole food components comprising a source of carbohydrates comprising rice, the at least five different whole food components further comprising at least one fruit or vegetable selected from the group consisting of potato, pear, blueberry, and mixtures thereof; the organic ingredients further comprising a source of protein comprising at least one of pea protein or rice protein; the organic ingredients further comprising a source of fat. 
     
     
         22 . The tube feed formulation of  claim 21 , wherein the at least five different whole food components comprise potato, pear and blueberry. 
     
     
         23 . The tube feed formulation of  claim 21 , wherein the source of protein comprises pea protein and rice protein. 
     
     
         24 . The tube feed formulation of  claim 21 , wherein the source of fat provides 25% to 35% of the total energy of the tube formulation, the source of protein provides 25% to 30% of the total energy of the tube formulation, and the source of carbohydrates provides 45% to 65% of the total energy of the tube formulation. 
     
     
         25 . The tube feed formulation of  claim 21 , which does not contain corn, does not contain soy, does not contain dairy protein and does not contain lactose. 
     
     
         26 . The tube feed formulation of  claim 21 , wherein the source of fat comprises olive oil and canola oil. 
     
     
         27 . The tube feed formulation of  claim 21 , wherein the organic ingredients further comprise taurine and/or vitamins and minerals comprising at least one of calcium, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, vitamin B9, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, potassium, choline, magnesium, iron, iodine, zinc, copper, potassium, phosphorus, selenium, chromium, biotin. 
     
     
         28 . The tube feed formulation of  claim 21 , wherein the organic ingredients further comprise at least one of an herb or a spice. 
     
     
         29 . A method of providing nutrition to a human, the method comprising administering the tube feed formulation of  claim 21  to the human. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the tube feed formulation is administered to the human in an amount comprising at least three servings of fruits and vegetables per day. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the tube feed formulation is administered to the human long-term. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the tube feed formulation provides complete nutrition to the human. 
     
     
         33 . A tube feed formulation having a caloric density from about 1.0 kcal/mL to 2.0 kcal/mL and an osmolality up to 800 mOsm/kg water and consisting of organic ingredients comprising at least six different whole food components comprising chicken, rice and at least one fruit or vegetable selected from the group consisting of squash, mango, beet, spinach and mixtures thereof; the organic ingredients further comprising pea protein; the tube feed formulation further comprising a source of fat. 
     
     
         34 . The tube feed formulation of  claim 33 , wherein the at least six different whole food components comprise squash, mango, beet and spinach. 
     
     
         35 . The tube feed formulation of  claim 33 , wherein the source of fat provides 25% to 35% of the total energy of the tube formulation, the source of protein provides 25% to 30% of the total energy of the tube formulation, and the source of carbohydrates provides 45% to 65% of the total energy of the tube formulation. 
     
     
         36 . The tube feed formulation of  claim 33 , which does not contain corn, does not contain soy, does not contain dairy protein and does not contain lactose. 
     
     
         37 . The tube feed formulation of  claim 33 , wherein the source of fat comprises olive oil and canola oil. 
     
     
         38 . The tube feed formulation of  claim 33 , further comprising at least one of calcium, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, vitamin B9, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, potassium, choline, magnesium, iron, iodine, zinc, copper, potassium, phosphorus, selenium, chromium, biotin, or taurine. 
     
     
         39 . The tube feed formulation of  claim 33 , further comprising at least one of an herb or a spice. 
     
     
         40 . A method of providing nutrition to a human, the method comprising administering the tube feed formulation of  claim 33  to the human. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the tube feed formulation is administered to the human in an amount comprising at least three servings of fruits and vegetables per day. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the tube feed formulation is administered to the human long-term. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the tube feed formulation provides complete nutrition to the human.