Food Untethered Transition Guide
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Redefining Tube Feeding, One Mealtime at a Time - A starters guide to enjoying our meals
Welcome to Food Untethered
We are excited to share our Food Untethered meals with you. Each product is crafted with thoughtfully chosen, real food ingredients, along with nourishing herbs and spices, designed specifically for individuals facing eating challenges, including those who are tube-fed—all while delivering exceptional taste.
This guide serves as a starting point to help you transition smoothly and easily to our products. At Food Untethered, we are passionate about offering meaningful choices and enriching meal experiences to those who eat differently, ensuring as many people as possible have access to the nutrition they deserve.
The benefits of a blended diet - Mealtime Made Meaningful for Tube Feeding
A growing body of research shows that children and adults who can tolerate blended meal replacements, rather than relying on specialised formulas, experience fewer digestive issues. Those receiving real food tend to have less nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and concern about stools. They also experience fewer episodes of reflux and aspiration compared to those on synthetic formulas.
Though experts haven't pinpointed the exact cause of these improvements, several theories are widely accepted. Real food is thicker, which may help reduce reflux and vomiting. It also provides greater nutrient diversity and may promote a more natural digestive rhythm.
Studies show that children on blended diets maintain similar growth curves to those fed orally, with improved weight trends and significant height gains. Beyond physical benefits, many report higher satisfaction and overall well-being.
One of the main reasons families choose real food is to normalise the tube-feeding experience. A blended diet allows individuals to participate in family meals, share in food preparation, and foster a unique sense of care and connection.
Getting to grips with transitioning to blended meals
The practice of blended feeding is unique to each individual. Broadly speaking, a blended diet refers to any food or drink other than water, breast milk, infant formula, or commercial tube feed formula given through an enteral tube. Some families add small amounts of juice or purée alongside commercial formula, while others meet the full nutritional needs with a blended diet.
If you’re new to our products, you’ll notice our blends are intentionally thicker than standard tube-feeding formulas, as this consistency can help with tolerance. Since each tube-feeding plan is unique, we recommend discussing your feeding plan with a dietitian first. For adults, a quicker switch from formula to a blended diet is usually fine, while for children, a gradual introduction is best.
The transition from formula to blended meals using both types of nutrition is known as bridge feeding or combination feeding. This approach provides greater control over nutrients and allows for a smoother transition, helping to identify what works best for each individual.
Here’s a sample transition schedule to help you gradually introduce either your own home blends or Food Untethered products. Please consult your dietitian for personalised advice.
Transition Plan
- Days 1–2: 25% calories from Food Untethered + 75% current formula
- Days 3–4: 50% calories from Food Untethered + 50% current formula
- Days 5–6: 75% calories from Food Untethered + 25% current formula
- Day 7+: 100% calories from Food Untethered / Home blends
Regarding delivery methods, Food Untethered products are versatile and can be administered via bolus, pump, or gravity feeding with a 12F or larger tube. If you experience any difficulty with gravity or pump feeding, you can dilute the blend with fluids—though keep in mind that this will affect the energy content depending on your choice of liquid (such as juice, milk, water, MCT oil, or coconut milk). As our meals are made from organic whole foods, slight variations in consistency are completely normal.
Portion Sizes for Food Blends
The amount of food and recommended blend volume will vary based on factors such as:
- Age
- Tolerance level, for those who may have volume limitations
- Activity level, as individuals with complex needs may have specific energy requirements
- Specific nutritional needs: for example, some may need certain foods in particular amounts to help manage conditions, like a ketogenic diet
- Communication level, especially for those unable to indicate fullness, where it’s best to start with smaller portions
Start by introducing small portions of a blended meal as snacks between feeds to keep the current feeding routine intact. Once your child or loved one is comfortable, gradually replace one commercial feed with a blended meal of the same volume, adding one meal at a time.
Consider a slower pace
If you’re unsure how well they’ll tolerate a blended diet, try slowing the feeding rate and taking short breaks during the feed. Increase the pace gradually once they’re adjusting well.
Oral first
If your child or loved one can eat orally but still needs tube feeding, allow them to eat as much as they can by mouth first, then top up with the remaining amount through their tube.
Add new foods and recipes
If the transition takes longer than a couple of weeks, try adding a new recipe every week or two for more nutrient variety.
Nutritional Variety from our meals
Food Untethered blends provide a variety of shelf-stable, organic meals designed for individuals who are tube-fed or face feeding challenges. They can be used in several ways:
- As a primary source of nutrition
- To complement a home-blended diet
- To compliment alternative pre blended manufactured meals
- Alongside commercial formulas
Our meals do not contain added salt, sugar or synthetic minerals or vitamins.
Our meals do not contain gluten, soy, or nuts.
Our meals offer dairy and non-dairy options. Where a meal may include dairy, it is clearly marked on the packaging.
Our meals are made with a wide range of proteins, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fats, herbs and spices. (No less than 8 recognisable kitchen ingredients per meal)
Eat the blended rainbow
"Eat the rainbow" is a core healthy-eating tip that’s just as essential for adults as it is for children. But what does it mean? Simply put, eating a variety of colourful fruits and vegetables helps ensure you get the full range of nutrients your body needs. The diverse vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemicals found in colourful foods can have a greater impact on your health than any supplement. Our bodies thrive on variety.
At Food Untethered, we take this approach seriously. While many of our blends may look similar in colour, each ingredient is carefully selected for its unique nutritional benefits. To enhance nutritional diversity, try mixing and matching our meals as part of your feeding routine.
Energy
Once established on full volumes of blended feeds, try to aim to match the energy content of the commercial feed to prevent your child gaining or losing weight on the blended diet.
Hydration and a blended diet
Hydration is essential when transitioning to a blended diet, as blended meals generally contain less fluid than standard tube-feeding formulas. Staying well-hydrated supports digestion, prevents constipation, and reduces the risk of dehydration-related issues like dry skin, dark urine, fatigue, and urinary tract infections.
Ensure your child receives the same total fluid volume as with commercial formula feeds, including any necessary water flushes. Since blended feeds are typically less fluid-rich, you may need to add extra water flushes—your dietitian can guide you based on your child’s age and weight.
A simple hydration check is to monitor urine colour: light straw-coloured urine is ideal, while darker urine or strong odours may indicate the need for more fluids. Other signs of dehydration include:
- Dry skin or lips
- Increased constipation
- Greater risk of urinary tract infections
In warmer weather or heated environments, consider adding extra water flushes. Always consult your dietitian for tailored advice on fluid needs.