Frequently Asked Questions

Tube feeding (also called enteral nutrition) is a way of providing nutrition directly into the stomach or small intestine through a tube. Some people eat or get IV nutrition too, even if they have a feeding tube.

A feeding tube is a way to provide nutrition if someone cannot eat enough to stay healthy. This can be for all sorts of reasons, like not being able to swallow safely after a stroke or cancer treatment, having difficulty eating enough because of medical conditions like cancer treatment, or having severe GI issues like slow stomach emptying. Some people only need a tube for a short time, and others need it for a lifetime.

Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) are food and nutrition experts who: earn a minimum of a graduate degree from an accredited dietetics program, complete a supervised practice requirement, pass a national exam, and continue professional development and education throughout their careers. The Commission on Dietetic Registration is the credentialing agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the professional organization for dietitians. In addition to national RDN credentialing, many states have regulatory laws for dietitians and nutrition practitioners, though they vary.