A guide to taking oral nutritional supplements (sip feeds)

Nutritional supplements are small quantity drinks containing energy, protein, vitamins and minerals.
These drinks were developed to be used over a short period of time, to help improve/maintain weight and
muscle strength. They can also be used to aid recovery during or after illness, or during certain treatments.

There are not intended as a meal replacement.

If you have been started on supplements you will be monitored by your health professional. If your weight
and/or appetite is not significantly improved after 3 to 6 months of using nutritional supplements, they may be stopped.

If you fail to attend your review appointments, your health professional will be unable to check whether
supplements are benefitting you and they may be stopped

• Your health professional will advise you on how many oral nutritional supplements you should take each day.
• You should take your supplements at the time of day you find you can manage them easiest. You may
• choose to take them mid morning, mid afternoon or in the evening
• You may prefer to take small amounts of supplements frequently throughout the day
• Try not to take them before a meal to avoid filling yourself up
• Avoid drinking supplements too fast, instead drink over a period of 30 – 60 minutes
• Shake your supplement well before opening it
• Most supplements taste better when served chilled.

• Everyone’s tastes are different.
• Supplements are available in a variety of flavours, styles and volumes. You will be able to get a small supply
• to try to ensure you like them before getting a full prescription. Discuss this with your health professional
• Please tell your health professional or pharmacist which flavours you prefer to avoid waste.
• Neutral supplements can be used instead of milk in drinks or added to cereal, or can be flavoured with chocolate or coffee

• There are different volumes of oral nutritional supplements available. Discuss with your health professional which is the most appropriate for you
• If you find the volumes too large, you can take in divided doses, for example, a supplement of 125 ml could be taken in 3 x 40 ml doses

• Sweet flavoured supplements are versatile, for example, milk style can be frozen to make ice cream and juice style can be frozen into ice cubes or homemade ice lollies, or diluted with water, soda water or lemonade
• Some supplements such as vegetable, chicken, coffee or chocolate flavours can be served warm but make sure they are not brought to the boil as this can affect the vitamin content
• Some supplements can be used in baking or cooking. Many companies provide recipe books to give
  ideas on how to do this. Ask your dietitian if they are able to provide this information
• See link below for recipe ideas:

https://nutrition.abbott/uk/tools-for-patient-care/recipes