FAQ

 

Where can I buy Wholesome Blends?

Australia: Wholesome Blends can be purchased online in various quantities through the following medical distributors:

All our distributers can also arrange NDIS quotes as required and have a variety of billing options for NDIS participants using their NDIS funding to make purchases.  

Internationally: For all international purchases, please contact admin@wholesomeblends.com.au so we may provide you with an individualised quote.

How do I use Wholesome Blends?

Wholesome Blends is designed for Bolus feeding via an NG, Gastrostomy button or G-tube.  The Bolus method involves hand pushing the blend through your feeding tube using the syringe’s plunger.  The best extension tube to use is a bolus extension set as it is free of right angles.  The best syringe is an o-ring style of syringe such as the ENFit Enteral Reusable Syringe.   Wash equipment well between uses and lightly spray the o-ring with olive oil after a few washes to help it push easier.

Are Wholesome Blends designed to be nutritionally complete?

Wholesome Blends are designed to be consumed like any meal.  We do not expect to obtain all of our body’s nutrients from one meal, nor do we expect one pouch of Wholesome Blends to provide your body with every macro, and micronutrient.  Wholesome Blends are designed to complement your current feeding regime, whether that includes commercially prepared formulas, or your own homemade tube blends. 

As the range expands a variety of Wholesome Blends products will be available that will provide your body with a variety of nutrients, just as a range of wholefood meals would. 

Can I combine Wholesome Blends with my own blend recipes in the same feed?

Yes! We often recommend families transition onto Wholesome Blends by adding a small volume, increasing the percentage volume by approximately 20% every 3 days until a complete transition has been made.  This allows time for the gastrointestinal tract and immune system to respond to the change. 

Are homemade tube blends right for me or my child?

Wholesome Blends have been designed and developed to provide the tube-feed population with choice.  Whilst commercially prepared formulas may be nutritionally complete (and offer ongoing lifesaving options for those who cannot meet all nutritional needs orally) Wholesome Blends offer an alternative to those who are:

  • Not immunocompromised or requiring admission to an intensive care or high dependency unit

  • Not 100% jejunostomy fed. Please consult your dietitian if this is the case

  • Not dependent upon a continuous tube feeding regime

  • Medically stable

  • Not losing weight (unless medically prescribed)

  • 12 months or older

  • Can tolerate flexibility in their enteral feeding schedule

  • Have the capacity to educate themselves, or act on behalf of the person receiving the blends, regarding the pros and cons of using a wholefood blended diet

  • Have the capacity to seek advice from suitable health professionals during periods of ill health

  • Have the resources to either purchase or safely prepare and store their own wholefood blends

  • Own or have access to a good quality, high power/industrial strength food blender

A collaborative decision-making approach outlining what is best for you, or your child, is strongly advised. This ensures that your health care team are aware of your decision to move from 100% commercially prepared formulas, thereby allowing them to support you with ongoing patient-centred care.  Dietitians remain the experts in nutrition and should lead the multidisciplinary discussions with your health care team.  We understand that not all Australian Dietitians have training with the provision of wholefood blended diets, however, they do have the training to assist you with analysis of nutritionally adequate recipes.  

Once you understand the commitment, planning, preparation, financial and labour costs required to commence a blended diet we recommend that you communicate this understanding to your health care team. Also request that they clearly document your reasons for choosing a blended diet, your health status and the steps you are taking to implement it.  A clear history of documentation in your health record is a fantastic way for you to be your own, or your child’s, best advocate. 

Is there any time that I shouldn’t start making my own blends?

  • During a time of illness or infection, decreased capacity, weight loss, or medical investigations

  • If you are having any issues with the patency of your feeding tube

  • At a time of rapid growth or change in metabolic rate

  • If you are practically unprepared or under resourced, i.e. don’t have an appropriate food blender or bolus extension sets. 

What do I need to know before I start making my own blends?

  • Please don't overthink this, its food, something we all consume every day.

  • Research as much as you can for your tubie persons needs. Talk to other families on what has worked for them, follow social media groups specific to blended tube feeding diets and trust yourself

  • The nutrition composition of the recipes you wish to use, or your body’s basic needs such as daily energy, carbohydrate, protein and fat requirements (as a minimum)

  • Many liquid and powder broad-spectrum vitamin and mineral supplements are available. Don’t discount these options as a way to improve the nutrient content of your homemade wholefood blends

  • The daily volume that you, or your child, requires using bolus feeds, what capacity is maximum and how long does this take to digest fully through the gut

  • A clear plan about the timing of your feeds, the starting volume and the frequency with which you will use Wholesome Blends for bolus feeds

  • Food safety basics including how to clean your kitchen, and blender, how to safely handle and store perishable foods, how to get the best use from your freezer and how to thaw frozen blends safely. Many local councils run Food Safety courses, there are also many options available online.

  • How you plan to store your blends should you not wish to make them in bulk and freeze

  • Wholesome Blends are self-stable unopened for 18 months unopened

  • Once opened Wholesome Blends should be refrigerated and used within 24 hours

What do I need to get started?

  • Your individualised nutrition plan

  • Suitable recipes, or Wholesome Blends

  • A feeding tube that is 12 French or larger. NG's can be used however viscosity is thinner and can often be less calorie dense. Please consult yoru dietitian for how to blend through NG tubes

  • A good quality, high power/industrial strength food blender, we recommend Vitamix

  • 60 ml syringes for bolus feeding and a bolus feeding extension set

  • A system for labelling your containers with date of preparation and name of blend

  • Dish rack to air dry utensils, blender, containers and feeding equipment

  • Separate cutting boards for meat and fruits/vegetables

Are there any foods that shouldn’t be included in my recipes?

There are a few foods that may increase the risk of your tube clogging because they do not blend well, the following list is not exhaustive, but intended as a guide:

  • Berries – in particular blackberries, strawberries and blueberries

  • String beans and celery if not chopped fine enough

  • Chia

  • Pasta

  • Hard or old spinach

  • Old, tough mushrooms

Can I use herbs and spices in my blends?

Absolutely. Herbs and spices can contribute micronutrients, improve absorption of micronutrients and aid digestion.  If you have a sensitive constitution avoid highly spiced recipes that contain onion and garlic powders, chilli, pepper and hot mustards. 

What is the most ideal consistency of a blend?

IDDSI level 2-3 are perfect and will give a smooth puree that will cover a spoon and drip, or thinner than a cake batter.

What are some good additions to thin a blend?

As a rule of thumb always use a nutrient-dense liquid to thin a blend such as good quality chicken broth, fruit or vegetable juice, coconut milk, oil, cream or milks (if you can tolerate them).

What are some good additions to thicken a blend?

  • Avocado

  • Banana

  • Potato

  • Sesame seeds or tahini

  • Almonds (in any form – raw, almond meal or paste)

  • Amarath flour

  • Oats

How do I store my blends?

Unopened, Wholesome Blends can be stored in a dry cool area (pantry) from 18 months of manufacture date. Do not use past the best before date.

To store when opened, reseal and store in the fridge and use within 24 hours of opening.

When will more Wholesome Blends be available?

We are working very hard behind the scenes to produce a wide variety of blends to suit the needs of the entire tube-fed community.  We put much thought and care into each recipe from development, and nutrition analysis to production.  Thank you for supporting a small Australian family-owned business.  

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

Contact us on admin@wholesomeblends.com.au or find us on Facebook and Instagram.