Learning About Home Blended Food for Tube Feeding in Children
Home-blended food for tube feeding means blending food until it’s smooth enough to go through your child’s gastrostomy tube (G-tube). You can use home-blended food instead of formula or along with formula, giving you more flexibility in how you feed your child.
There are many benefits to using home-blended food for tube feeding:
- Choose foods that fit your child’s allergies or special diet needs.
- Include foods your child enjoys.
- Have your child eat the same meals as the rest of the family.
- Reduce additives and preservatives in your child’s diet.
- Improve digestion, leading to more regular bowel movements.
- Help reduce reflux, vomiting, and retching.
Watch the videos below to learn how to plan, prepare, store, and give your child home-blended foods for tube feeding. The videos were created by registered dietitians in the Alberta Health Services Wellness Kitchen. You can watch the videos as a full series or you can choose which videos best fit your needs.
Benefits, challenges, and considerations (6:52)
Learn about the benefits and challenges families experience with home-blended food and learn what to consider when deciding if it's a good choice for your child.
Click or tap to watch: youtube.com/watch?v=i-JlwtV-570
Feeding tubes and delivery methods (5:19)
Learn about the equipment and supplies you will need for home-blended food for tube feeding.
Click or tap to watch: youtube.com/watch?v=GJi9WIdie1Y
Kitchen equipment and preparation (5:17)
Find out what kitchen tools and supplies you’ll need to make home-blended tube feeding easier. You’ll also learn tips on how to prepare and store food safely.
Click or tap to watch: youtube.com/watch?v=N973P1C0s_8
Planning home-blended food for tube feeding (3:46)
Discover 3 common ways to plan home-blended meals for tube feeding: the recipe method, the food exchange method, and the food plating method. The best approach for your family will depend on your child’s needs and what works best for you.
Click or tap to watch: youtube.com/watch?v=EZxwZjCAdw8
Introducing home-blended food (5:13)
Step-by-step guidance on how to introduce home-blended food and switch from commercial formula. Includes tips for babies 6 to 12 months and children 12 months and older.
Click or tap to watch: youtube.com/watch?v=j2JBYtSel-Y
The recipe method (7:19)
Learn how to make home-blended food from a recipe.
Click or tap to watch: youtube.com/watch?v=sHo3v2OmgmM
Food exchange method (6:30)
Learn how to use the food exchange method to make home-blended foods for tube feeding. Learn how to choose a variety of foods from what you have at home to build a blended meal or a full day of meals.
Click or tap to watch: youtube.com/watch?v=mz9QPkGdAng
Food plating method (4:21)
Learn how to use the food plating method to make home-blended meals for tube feeding. This method is designed for preparing 1 meal at a time.
Click or tap to watch: youtube.com/watch?v=MvoXBQhkAgc
Blended thickness: Why does it matter? (5:24)
Understand the different thicknesses of home-blended food for tube feeding. Explore the benefits of using a variety of whole foods while making mealtime a positive experience for your child.
Click or tap to watch: youtube.com/watch?v=p9O2OEdYsJM
Storage and travel (3:52)
Get tips on safely storing and packing home-blended food for school, daycare, or travel so your child can enjoy homemade meals wherever they go.
Click or tap to watch: youtube.com/watch?v=wOYC4NuBZN0
Tips, tricks, and what if? (8:00)
Discover helpful tips and tricks from other families who use home-blended food for tube feeding. Find advice for concerns like a blocked feeding tube, retching, and constipation to make your experience easier and more successful.
Click or tap to watch: youtube.com/watch?v=dh7O8p8u39U
Learning more about home-blended food for tube feeding
• Tube feeding (Alberta Health Services Pediatric Eating and Swallowing Program)
• Home Blended Food for Tube Feeding: Is it a Good Choice for My Child? (PDF)
• Home Blended Food for Tube Feeding: Caregiver Handbook (PDF)
• Nutrition Services workshops and classes (filter Topic to Tube Feeding)
• Alberta Health Services Wellness Kitchen
To see this information online and learn more, visit
MyHealth.Alberta.ca/health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=custom.ab_home_blended_food_tubefeed_inst.
Current as of: February 24, 2025
Author: Nutrition Services, Alberta Health Services
This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional. This material is intended for general information only and is provided on an "as is", "where is" basis. Although reasonable efforts were made to confirm the accuracy of the information, Alberta Health Services does not make any representation or warranty, express, implied or statutory, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, applicability or fitness for a particular purpose of such information. Alberta Health Services expressly disclaims all liability for the use of these materials, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits arising from such use.
