Hi everyone-just found this place tonite.I have a 28 yr old son who has been tube fed all his life.He had encephalitis at 3 weeks that left him unable to do anything.He is allergic to the iodine in the tube feeding formulas so I blend regular food for him.I try to keep it bland-3 meals a day and fluid at nite.It's tricky because he tends to aspirate so I try to be very careful.Plus his bowls are just terrible-has to be rectally stimulated /get the bm out myself-his bms are a nightmare.Can anyone give me some ideas on the types of meals /fluids -schedule you're doing and being successful?Thanks-

bonut,
Hi. You must be some kind of angel! I am almost 62 and have been unable to swallow since surgery on Dec 12, 09. I was unable to tolerate the formulas and switched to real food a year ago. I won't ever go back! I just switched to the same diet that everyone else in the household eats.
This morning I had cooked oatmeal and a raw apple and raw nectarine blended with cup of milk and a spoonful of sugar. Then I add water to make 32 oz. I blend (Blendtec EZ Blender) on setting 5 twice. Pour through strainer and then down the tube.
Last night I had 3 soft tacos with lettuce, cheese, ground beef, sour cream, 1/2 a baked potato and water to make 32 oz. Blend, strain and down the tube.
As you can see there is no special diet and I am maintaining 190 pounds. I am sure your son's gut is used to his diet and I am in no way qualified to recommend a diet change but my 'diet' works for me. I have zero issues constitution wise. And I have pretty good energy. I eat in restaurants, have people over for dinner, and go over to other peoples houses for dinners and get togethers. Nothing has changed except that I have to blend my meals and stuff them down my PEG button.
Oh I almost forgot coffee stimulates my bowels and wakes me up in the morning!
Good luck Angel,
Steve