Home enteral nutrition is a safe, economic treatment used in the prevention of malnutrition and in the maintenance of life quality. In this study the formulation FCM (CARVALHO et al., 1992) was analysed, and the formulations F1 and F2 developed, aiming at obtaining the component quantities and qualities cited in the literature. The formulations were developed using low cost conventional foods, easy to prepare domestically and available in less developed regions where industrialised diets are not commercialised. The viscosity, osmolality, dripping properties and nutritive value were determined. The F1 and F2 formulations presented lower viscosities than FCM and improved caloric distribution (14% protein, 33% fat, 53% carbohydrate), food fibre content (8.16 g/2 L) and caloric density (1 kcal/mL) than FCM (19% protein, 33% fat, 48% carbohydrate, caloric density of 0.87 kcal/mL and food fibre content of 4.68 g/2 L). The formulations F1 and F2 were more fluid than FCM, dripped at 60-80 drips/minute and showed isotonic osmolalities. The addition of corn grits, Soymilk® and Nidex® improved the nutritive value and flow properties, making it possible to administer more in less time. The formulations represent options to individualise normal enteral diets in home therapy.
diets; oral supplements; nutritive value; home care; malnutrition
