Hello! My name is Johanna and I am completing my clinical rotation at Saint Barnabas Medical Center, a 597-bed facility in Livingston, New Jersey that treats a wide range of diseases and conditions. I am so grateful to Sodexo and SBMC for allowing me this incredible experience thus far.
I’ve been able to see patients who have undergone major surgeries and who are critically ill. With these patients, nutrition and eating is probably at the bottom of their list of concerns. Nutritional supplements are commonly used with these patients because they need a lot of nutrients to heal the body but may not have the appetite or desire to eat. These therapeutic supplements come in many different colors, consistencies, and flavors and are formulated for people who have different needs depending on their disease state. There are so many different kinds that I can’t keep track of them all! There are adult shakes, pediatric specific formulas, specialty formulas, and the list could go on. It seems that there is something new on the shelf each time I go to grab one for a patient.
Of all of these, I find two most interesting because it is not a drinkable or hangable formula or supplement. One is called “Magic Cup” that has 290 calories and 9 grams of protein in a 4.6 oz serving. Magic cup is an ice cream when frozen and a pudding when melted…isn’t that incredible?! Since it doesn’t melt into a completely thin liquid, a person with dysphagia (someone who cannot swallow regular consistency items) can eat this yummy treat as well. Another supplement that is new to me is a special high protein Jell-O called “Gelatein.” This 4-ounce mighty treat is loaded with 20 grams of protein and 150 calories! The consistency of Gelatein has the same consistency as the Magic Cup when melted, making it suitable for people with dysphagia as well. Unfortunately, I have not had the pleasure of tasting these, but many patients have told me that they enjoy them! In situations when food alone is not meeting a patient’s nutritional needs, these supplements are a great way to get in extra nutrients to help heal the body.
I’ve been able to see patients who have undergone major surgeries and who are critically ill. With these patients, nutrition and eating is probably at the bottom of their list of concerns. Nutritional supplements are commonly used with these patients because they need a lot of nutrients to heal the body but may not have the appetite or desire to eat. These therapeutic supplements come in many different colors, consistencies, and flavors and are formulated for people who have different needs depending on their disease state. There are so many different kinds that I can’t keep track of them all! There are adult shakes, pediatric specific formulas, specialty formulas, and the list could go on. It seems that there is something new on the shelf each time I go to grab one for a patient.
Of all of these, I find two most interesting because it is not a drinkable or hangable formula or supplement. One is called “Magic Cup” that has 290 calories and 9 grams of protein in a 4.6 oz serving. Magic cup is an ice cream when frozen and a pudding when melted…isn’t that incredible?! Since it doesn’t melt into a completely thin liquid, a person with dysphagia (someone who cannot swallow regular consistency items) can eat this yummy treat as well. Another supplement that is new to me is a special high protein Jell-O called “Gelatein.” This 4-ounce mighty treat is loaded with 20 grams of protein and 150 calories! The consistency of Gelatein has the same consistency as the Magic Cup when melted, making it suitable for people with dysphagia as well. Unfortunately, I have not had the pleasure of tasting these, but many patients have told me that they enjoy them! In situations when food alone is not meeting a patient’s nutritional needs, these supplements are a great way to get in extra nutrients to help heal the body.
