Nutricia Suggestion Engine - Conditions
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for Patients, Parents, Family and Friends
This FAQ is a supplemental documentation to this website. If you cannot find the answer to your question then please contact us.
1. Using oral nutritional supplements – General
- • What is an oral nutritional supplement?
- • Why do I need an oral nutritional supplement?
- • How many oral nutritional supplements can I take per day?
- • What’s the best way to take an oral nutritional supplement?
- • Getting the most from your oral nutritional supplement
2. Using oral nutritional supplements – In the kitchen
- • Can I heat oral nutritional supplements?
- • Can I freeze oral nutritional supplements?
- • Can I use oral nutritional supplements in cooking or with other foods?
3. Ingredients in Nutricia products
4. Suitability of Nutricia products for people with certain conditions
- • Which products are suitable for people with Diabetes?
- • Are Nutricia products suitable for people with Coeliac disease?
- • Are Nutricia products suitable for people with Cows’ milk protein allergy?
- • Are Nutricia’s oral nutritional supplements suitable for use during pregnancy?
- • Is Fortini suitable for children with diabetes?
5. Suitability of Nutricia products for specific cultural or religious diets
- • Are Nutricia’s products suitable for vegetarians and vegans?
- • Are Nutricia’s products suitable as part of a Halal or a Kosher diet?
- • Is Infatrini suitable for Halal, vegetarian and vegan diets?
6. Using Nutilis: Thickening drinks, foods and supplements
- • How do I thicken drinks using Nutilis?
- • How do I thicken puréed foods using Nutilis?
- • Can I thicken oral nutritional supplements using Nutilis?
7. Using Nutricia products for Infants and Children
- • Are Nutricia’s oral nutritional supplements suitable for children?
- • Are there any colouring agents in the Fortini range?
- • Can I freeze Infatrini?
- • What should I do if I don’t see any change in my baby’s weight?
- • Can I get a teat to fit the Infatrini bottle?
- • I have a question about the ingredients in Infatrini, who can I ask?
What is an oral nutritional supplement?
An oral nutritional supplement (sometimes called a nutritional drink) is a ready-made nutritional drink packed full of calories, protein, vitamins and minerals. Most oral nutritional supplements are nutritionally balanced to help meet your dietary needs, and some may be designed for specific medical conditions such as diabetes or wound healing.
Oral nutritional supplements are available in a variety of styles and flavours. Your healthcare professional will assist you in choosing the most appropriate style for you. Oral nutritional supplements are available from doctors and pharmacists.
Return to the Top
Why do I need an oral nutritional supplement?
As a general rule healthy males require approximately 2500 calories each day to maintain their normal body weight and females require approximately 2000 calories. If you are unwell, you may need more food than usual, or your appetite might be poor and you may struggle to eat enough. Improving the amount of nutrition can help you cope better with your illness and may help improve recovery.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence booklet for patients and carers 'Understanding NICE guidance - information for people who need nutrition support, their families and carers, and the public' has useful information about this and says:
"You should be considered for nutrition support if:
• Your Body Mass Index (BMI) is less than 18.5 (use our BMI calculator to check your BMI) - link
• You have lost more than 10% of your weight in the past 3 to 6 months without trying
• Your BMI is less than 20 and you have lost more than 5% of your weight over the past 3 to 6 months without trying.
If you can swallow safely and you need nutrition support, you may be offered nutrition support by mouth (orally). Your healthcare professional should work with you to ensure your diet contains varying amounts of the following nutrients to meet your needs - calories, protein, water, minerals, vitamins.
Your healthcare professional will help you to make changes to your current diet. For example, you may need to eat more high calorie foods such as butter, milk and sugar. Or you may need to eat more regularly - for example, having three meals and three snacks every day. You may be offered fortified foods or special oral nutritional supplement drinks with added nutrients. If you have vitamin and mineral deficiencies your healthcare professional should offer you supplements.”
Your healthcare professional will decide with you what type of nutrition treatment is best for you. Oral nutritional supplements may be part of that treatment, particularly as drinking is often easier than eating.
Return to the Top
How many oral nutritional supplements can I take per day?
The quantity depends on your nutritional requirements, how much you are eating and drinking using normal foods and the quantity of oral nutritional supplements you can actually consume over the day. In general, most healthcare professionals recommend about 2 bottles per day but of course this will depend on their assessment of your needs.
Return to the Top
What’s the best way to take an oral nutritional supplement?
Supplements are versatile. Whilst supplements are usually taken between meals, you can also mix them into drinks and meals, food and drinks; take them warm, chilled or even frozen. For more information on incorporating ONS into foods you can go to the recipes section of the website.
Return to the Top
Getting the most from your oral nutritional supplement
Oral nutritional supplements will help boost your nutritional intake but it is important that you drink all of the packs that you are recommended to drink each day. Most people find taking small amounts of their oral nutritional supplement regularly throughout the day helps achieve their daily target.
Remember that oral nutritional supplements are versatile. Oral nutritional supplements can be drunk warm, chilled straight from the fridge or frozen to make ice cream, a tasty dessert or ice pop. Fruit flavours are best served chilled. Oral nutritional supplements can be poured into a mug, glass or sipped from the bottle. For additional calories, you can replace milk in sauces, desserts and drinks with a milk style supplement.
Continue to eat as much food as you can and take your oral nutritional supplement between meals where possible or at the time of day that suits you best. As a guide, oral nutritional supplements are best taken like a snack, in-between meals.
Oral nutritional supplements don't need to be refrigerated until you open them. That means you can carry them with you and have them whenever you feel hungry or thirsty. They are also good chilled as between-meal or bedtime snacks. You may want to take a ready to drink oral nutritional supplement with you when you go for treatments or other times when you may have a long wait.
For more information on oral nutritional supplements, or advice from a qualified dietitian, please contact our Dietetic Resource Centre
Return to the Top
Can I heat oral nutritional supplements?
Yes. Some people may prefer to take oral nutritional supplements warm, especially if they want to incorporate certain flavours into soup or custard. Pour the supplement into a saucepan and warm through gently without boiling, as boiling may alter the taste and destroy the heat sensitive vitamins.
Return to the Top
Can I freeze oral nutritional supplements?
Yes. Some people may prefer to take oral nutritional supplements frozen either as a change to sipping them, or because they find them more palatable or easier to take if they have a sore mouth. Pour the supplement into a freezer safe container (or ice cube tray) and freeze. You can also freeze supplements in ice-lolly moulds.
Return to the Top
Can I use oral nutritional supplements in cooking or with other foods?
Yes. Some people prefer to take oral nutritional supplements that have been incorporated into other foods and drinks, either as a change to sipping them or because they find them more palatable. Nutricia oral nutritional supplements for adults and children can both be used to fortify a variety of drinks, savoury and sweet foods, including muffins, macaroni cheese and hot chocolate. Check out the recipe pages on this website to find recipes for your oral nutritional supplement.
Return to the Top
Are Nutricia products lactose free?
Many of the products in the Nutricia oral nutritional supplement range are clinically lactose free (i.e. contain a level of lactose <0.030g per 100ml) and are therefore suitable for patients with lactose intolerance. These include Fortisip, Fortisip Multi Fibre, Fortisip Fruit Dessert, Fortijuce, Fortini, Fortini Multi Fibre, Forticare, and Calogen. Those that are not clinically lactose free are: Fortisip Compact, Fortisip Yogurt Style, Fortisip Extra, Fortimel Regular, Forticreme Complete, Renilon 7.5, Respifor, Diasip, Cubitan and Infatrini. All of the Nutricia tube feeds for adults and children, including the specialised tube feeds are clinically lactose free, with the exception of Nutrison Peptisorb, Nutrini Peptisorb and Infatrini. If you are unsure about a product please contact the Dietetic Resource Centre helpline on 1800 412 414 (ROI) 0800 028 3416 (NI)
Return to the Top
Are Nutricia products nut free and egg free?
For information about specific ingredients used in Nutricia’s products and their suitability for people with food allergies or intolerances please call the Dietetic Resource Centre helpline 1800 412 414 (ROI) 0800 028 3416 (NI)
Return to the Top
Which products are suitable for people with Diabetes?
Diasip and Nutrison Advanced Diason are products which are specifically designed to help people with Diabetes meet their nutritional needs when they are unable to achieve an adequate diet from ‘normal’ foods.
Many of the other Nutricia products may be considered for use in people with Diabetes, however advice should be sought from a dietitian or doctor regarding what is most appropriate. All products should be used under medical supervision.
Return to the Top
Are Nutricia products suitable for people with Coeliac disease?
All products in the Nutricia range, including SHS products for people with inherited metabolic disorders, are gluten free and are suitable for people with coeliac disease and gluten intolerance.
Return to the Top
Are Nutricia products suitable for people with Cows’ milk protein allergy?
The Neocate range of products are specially designed for infants and children with cows’ milk protein allergy.
Elemental E028 Extra Liquid (a liquid oral nutritional supplement), Calogen (a high energy liquid supplement) and Nutrison Soya (a tube feed), are suitable for children and adults with cows’ milk protein intolerance who are unable to eat enough ‘normal’ food to meet their requirements.
Most of the other Nutricia oral nutritional supplements do contain cows’ milk protein so are not suitable for people with cows’ milk allergy. There are some other Nutricia products which may also be suitable in cows’ milk protein allergy and we advise that you contact us on the number below.
For more information on the products which are suitable for Cows’ milk protein allergy please contact the Dietetic Resource Centre helpline on 1800 412 414 (ROI) 0800 028 3416 (NI)
Return to the Top
Are Nutricia’s oral nutritional supplements suitable for use during pregnancy?
During pregnancy an excessive intake of vitamin A should be avoided as it may cause harm to the unborn baby. Many of Nutricia’s oral nutritional supplements are designed to provide the complete range of micronutrients including vitamin A. The level of vitamin A present in Nutricia’s oral nutritional supplements is within the upper limit suggested during pregnancy, however, intake of vitamin A from normal dietary foods should also be considered and intakes of vitamin A rich foods should be limited (e.g. liver). The decision to use oral nutritional supplements during pregnancy should be made by a dietitian or doctor.
Return to the Top
Is Fortini suitable for children with diabetes?
The Fortini range contains some sugars as part of the carbohydrate blend. For children with diabetes it is recommended that a bottle of Fortini Multi Fibre or Fortini should be sipped slowly over about 20 minutes to minimise sharp rises in blood sugar levels. The total number of bottles of Fortini Multi Fibre or Fortini that should be taken per day should be advised by a dietitian, who will also advise on the appropriate monitoring of blood sugars.
Return to the Top
Are Nutricia’s products suitable for vegetarians and vegans?
The majority of Nutricia’s tube feeds and oral nutritional supplements are suitable for vegetarians as defined by The Vegetarian Society. However, Carminic Acid, a colouring derived from cochineal, may not be acceptable to some vegetarians and is used in the following sip feeds:
• Fortisip: orange, strawberry, tropical fruits • Fortisip Yogurt Style: raspberry, peach & orange
• Fortisip Compact: strawberry
• Fortisip Multi Fibre: strawberry, orange
• Fortisip Extra: strawberry, forest fruits
• Fortimel Regular: strawberry, forest fruits
• Forticreme Complete: banana, forest fruits
• Calogen: strawberry
• Calogen Extra: strawberry
• Scandishake Mix: strawberry
• Renilon 7.5: apricot
• FortiCare: peach-ginger
Infatrini and FortiCare contain fish oil.
Nutrison Soya may not be suitable for vegans as the Vitamin D is derived from sheep’s wool.
Only Nutricia preOp, Calogen (unflavoured), Polycal Liquid, Polycal Powder, and Nutilis are suitable for vegans as they do not contain animal products.
Return to the Top
Are Nutricia’s products suitable as part of a Halal or a Kosher diet?
Some diets followed by ethnic populations require food and drink to be vegetarian and alcohol free. Nutricia’s oral nutritional supplements and tube feeds do not contain alcohol, details of their vegetarian status is given in the previous question. Call the Dietetic Resource Centre helpline on 1800 412 414 (ROI) or 0800 028 3416 (NI) for the latest information on products that are suitable for Halal and Kosher diets.
Return to the Top
Is Infatrini suitable for Halal, vegetarian and vegan diets?
Infatrini contains all vegetarian ingredients but may not be suitable for all vegetarians due to the processing of some ingredients, and because it contains LCPs from fish oil. Regarding its suitability for Halal diets, there are no ‘forbidden’ ingredients in Infatrini but the manufacturing process has not had official Halal certification. Infatrini is not suitable for vegans as it contains milk and other non-vegan ingredients.
Return to the Top
How do I thicken drinks using Nutilis?
The label on your tin of Nutilis tells you the number of scoops you will need to use. With hot drinks, always add the sugar and milk first
1. Pour the drink you wish to thicken into a Nutilis Shaker (if provided), glass, cup or mug.
2. Add the prescribed number of scoops of Nutilis to the drink and mix with a fork or whisk, or replace the lid on the shaker and shake vigorously until the powder is well mixed with the drink.
3. Leave the drink to stand for a few minutes to achieve the required consistency.
4. Serve.
Return to the Top
How do I thicken puréed foods using Nutilis?
1. Purée the food you are going to thicken so it is completely smooth and free from any lumps. Ideally sieve the purée, especially for foods with ‘husks’ and seeds (e.g. peas, sweet corn and strawberries).
2. Add the necessary number of scoops of Nutilis to the purée and stir in well.
3. Allow the food to stand for a few minutes to reach the required consistency.
4. The food can now be served or chilled/frozen for later use.
5. When reheating food, make sure food is piping hot throughout before serving.
Return to the Top
Can I thicken oral nutritional supplements using Nutilis?
Yes, oral nutritional supplements can be thickened using Nutilis. The label on your tin of Nutilis tells you the number of scoops you will need to use. With hot drinks, always add the sugar and milk first
1. Pour the drink you wish to thicken into a Nutilis Shaker, glass, cup or mug. When thickening oral nutritional supplements (e.g. Fortisip, Fortijuce) you should ideally use the Nutilis Shaker.
2. Add the prescribed number of scoops of Nutilis to the drink and mix with a fork or whisk, or replace the lid on the shaker and shake vigorously until the powder is well mixed with the drink.
3. Leave the drink to stand for a few minutes to achieve the required consistency.
4. Serve.
Return to the Top
Are Nutricia’s oral nutritional supplements suitable for children?
The Nutricia oral nutritional supplements Fortini and Fortini Multi Fibre are specifically designed for young children and are, therefore the recommended sip feed for children aged 1 to 6 years. Fortisip, Fortisip Compact, Fortisip Multi Fibre, Fortisip Yogurt Style, Fortijuce, Fortisip Extra, Fortimel, Fortisip Savoury Multi Fibre, Fortisip Fruit Dessert and Forticreme Complete, are not suitable for use in children under 3 years of age and are not designed for use as a sole source of nutrition in children under 6 years. However, their use in children aged 3-6 years is a clinical decision which should be made by a doctor or dietitian
Return to the Top
Are there any colouring agents in the Fortini range?
Colouring agents are not permitted in foods specifically designed for infants and young children under 3 years of age. As the Fortini range is specifically designed for children, we have not added colouring agents. Note: Fortini Multi Fibre chocolate has a ‘chocolatey’ colour due to natural colouring agents.
Return to the Top
Can I freeze Infatrini?
We do not recommend that Infatrini is frozen straight from the bottle as on thawing, the LCPs in Infatrini may affect the taste making it less palatable.
Return to the Top
What should I do if I don’t see any change in my baby’s weight?
It is important to talk to your Healthcare Professional about your baby’s diet and weight. When your baby was prescribed Infatrini your healthcare professional may have discussed with you how they expected the feed to influence your baby’s growth. If you are at all concerned, contact your healthcare professional to discuss how your baby has got on since you last saw them and what you should do next.
Return to the Top
I have a question about the ingredients in Infatrini, who can I ask?
Your health professional will be able to answer questions about Infatrini. You can also call the Dietetic Resource Centre helpline to ask questions about the ingredients or nutritional composition. If you have a question about how much Infatrini to give your baby, it is best to ask your Health Professional as they will be able to check your baby’s needs and give you appropriate and individual advice.
Return to the Top
The content provided by Nutricia is for information purposes only and is in no way intended to be a substitute for medical consultation with your doctor, dietitian or healthcare professional. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in these pages are not intended to replace the care of your own doctor, dietitian or healthcare professional. Before you make any changes in the management of your diet / treatment or any other persons diet /treatment you should always consult your doctor, dietitian or healthcare professional. Although we carefully review our content, Nutricia cannot guarantee or take responsibility for the medical accuracy of documents we publish, nor can Nutricia assume any liability for the content of any web site linked to our site. © 2010 Nutricia. All rights reserved.