Blended diets remain a hot topic within the Dietetics world nationally, as evidence continues to emerge about the benefits of a blended diet in reducing gastrointestinal symptoms such as reflux, nausea, constipation or loose stools and general periods of irritability for people who are fed through a gastronomy device. Naturally, Treloar’s is keen to ensure their students get the potential health benefits that such diets can bring.
Of the students at Treloar’s who have tube-based feeding devices, nearly a third are now fed a blended diet. This is a significantly larger proportion than you would expect to find in enterally-fed patients generally.
Mia is a student at Treloar’s with dystonic cerebral palsy and has recently transitioned to a blended diet with positive results as the photos of Emma (Residential Team Leader at Treloar’s) feeding Mia her blended diet, show.
Her mother explained,
“Mia was fed orally until she was 14. When I was preparing to put Mia on a blended diet, I met with such unexpected opposition from organisations such as trusts and schools. I don’t think parents and professionals know enough about the benefits of a blended diet.
During a recent stay in hospital, Mia was placed on milk pump feeds and her health was not improving. Once she was home, I restarted her tube-based blended diet and her health dramatically improved.
I was so happy to have a conversation with Treloar’s and not feel I had to defend my choice, which in fact was also Mia’s choice. In my personal experience, many professionals fear exploring the use of blended diets and it was simply easier to keep using milk tube feeds. This is one of the reasons I moved Mia to Treloar’s. I appreciate how much effort they put into supporting dietetics. I know full well that Mia’s life may not be a long one and I want her to experience the best health possible while she is alive.”
Thanks to the support of the Cooks Charity, which made a further grant in 2023-24 of £25,000, Treloar’s are able to implement these innovations for the benefit of students like Mia.
