Home / Obstetrics, Neonatology & Enteral / Blended Diet
What is the BLENDS Project?
The number of people who are long-term, enterally tube-fed in their own homes has been steadily increasing since the mid-1980s, and blending everyday foods with liquid to be given through an enteral feeding tube has become increasingly popular.
![BrandEvolution-NottinghamBlue-Cropped-450x173 University of Nottingham Logo](https://e035c1bf66778213620b.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/BrandEvolution-NottinghamBlue-Cropped-450x173-1.png)
BLended ENteral Diet Study (BLENDS) is a project in conjunction with The University of Nottingham, as well as a group of parents who use blended diets for their tube-fed children. The Blends Project addresses the need for practical and user-friendly resources to support families, parents, and caregivers using blended diets. This includes an interactive website and resource that will guide parents of tube-fed children through their journey into the blended diet.
The project has worked with medical experts and parents currently using blended diets, utilising a participatory co-creation approach to provide unique insight into the choices, challenges, and practicalities of using blended diets.
Benefits of Blended Diet
![Boy with cake at birthday party Boy with cake at birthday party](https://e035c1bf66778213620b.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Boy-with-cake-at-birthday-party-scaled.jpg)
Inclusion in social occasions that involve food
Families have said their tube-fed child missed social experiences involving food (like birthdays with cake and Christmas dinner).
![Child washing hands Child washing hands](https://e035c1bf66778213620b.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2.png)
Including tube-fed children in family meal times
Some families give their tube-fed child the same meals as the rest of the family, just blended, allowing families to share the same foods and lifestyle choices, such as vegan diets.
![Kid on Monkey Bars Young boy on monkey bars with MIC button](https://e035c1bf66778213620b.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Kid-on-Monkey-Bars-scaled.jpg)
To help improve overall health and wellbeing
Helping reduced reflux, retching, vomiting, constipation and diarrhoea. Using blended diets has also resulted in stronger nails, glossier hair and brighter skin for the individual.
Products Supporting Blended Diet
![EasyMoov6 EasyMoov6](https://e035c1bf66778213620b.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/EasyMoov6-square-6d2ed86feaf4617643c1b31522997017-k3w185ulsbxp.webp)
EasyMoov6
A new enteral feeding pump.
![0VENP2GT_45 edited Enteral Feeding Bags](https://e035c1bf66778213620b.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/0VENP2GT_45-edited.webp)
EasyMoov6 Feeding Bags
A range of bags for enteral feeding.
![Untitled design (1) MIC Button](https://e035c1bf66778213620b.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/Untitled-design-1-square-fc71dd2c467fe2c6fce0abb757f3c976-m6kdg14qs0jp.png)
MIC-KEY Feeding Tubes
Supporting with blended diets.
Support & Resources
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Our Introduction to BLENDS
Launched on 12th October, this short video introduces the project and research from the BLENDS Project.
![Clinical-Response-1 Clinical-Response-1](https://e035c1bf66778213620b.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Clinical-Response-1.webp)
What Do Medical Professionals Think?
Hear directly from medical experts as they share their thoughts on the groundbreaking research.
![Parents-Thumbnail Parents-Thumbnail](https://e035c1bf66778213620b.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Parents-Thumbnail.jpg)
What Parents Say about BLENDS
Watch what parents of tube-fed children had to say about the BLENDS Project.
![Intro-Thumbnail Intro-Thumbnail](https://e035c1bf66778213620b.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Intro-Thumbnail.jpg)
Watch The BLENDS Video Series
Discover what the experts have to say about blended diets and the launch of the BLENDS Project.
![Blends-Study-Cover Blends-Study-Cover](https://e035c1bf66778213620b.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Blends-Study-Cover.webp)
Request BLENDS Study
Request a copy of the Food for Feeding Tubes: a BLended ENteral Diet Study (BLENDS).
![Blends Resource Blends Resource](https://e035c1bf66778213620b.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Blends-Resource.webp)
Download BLENDS Resource
Download your copy of the Food for Feeding Tubes: a BLended ENteral Diet Study (BLENDS) parent resource.
![A partnership & educational resource to support parents interested in a blended diet child with Mic button in kitchen](https://e035c1bf66778213620b.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/A-partnership-educational-resource-to-support-parents-interested-in-a-blended-diet.png)
Read more about BLENDS
This article explores the benefits and ways to incorporated blended diets into your routine.
![BLENDS website on computer BLENDS website on computer](https://e035c1bf66778213620b.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Untitled-design-63.png)
Visit BLENDS Website
In partnership with The University of Nottingham, visit our website to learn more about the Blends Project.
For more information, please contact us:
Vygon UK is here to support you. Whether you are new to blended diets, or interested in learning more, Vygon UK is on hand with support every step of the journey. Get in touch today to find out more: