ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Nutr.
Sec. Clinical Nutrition
Patient-Reported Outcomes on Gastrointestinal Tolerance and Adherence to a Pea Protein Plant-Based Enteral Formula in Children and Adults
Provisionally accepted
- 1Children's Center for Digestive Health Care, Atlanta, United States
- 2Kate Farms, Goleta, United States
- 3Family Nutrition Center South Florida, Boca Raton, United States
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Introduction: Enteral Nutrition through a feeding tube or orally can improve patient outcomes when tolerated to achieve nutritional requirements. While experts have provided feeding guidelines to enhance safety and efficacy, challenges in gastrointestinal (GI) tolerance such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating and vomiting often complicate adherence. Problems such as malnutrition, morbidity, and mortality occur when gastrointestinal intolerance results in the provision of formulas stopping and starting, and therefore delays, in optimal intake. Formulas vary widely in their composition, including differences in the primary protein source, degree of protein hydrolysis, inclusion of common allergens, fiber content, use of artificial or nonnutritive sweeteners, and use of artificial colors. A distinctive yellow pea protein, plant-based enteral formula (PPPBF) that includes fiber, and is free from common allergens and artificial and nonnutritive sweeteners may improve tolerance and adherence. Methods: We examined the patient or caregiver reports of gastrointestinal (GI) intolerance and adherence in both pediatric and adult participants using two electronic surveys. The initial survey compared pre and during utilization of the PPPBF and the second survey, sent 12 months later, evaluated the same reported outcomes, specifically on the use of a PPPBF. Results: There were 392 respondents to the initial survey (n=160 Pediatric (/=20 years). A positive trend towards GI tolerance and adherence was observed. Conclusion: A PPPBF with fiber may promote enteral tolerance and support nutritional intake. If used as a first-choice formulation option, it may reduce formula switching that often results from GI intolerance.
Keywords: enteral nutrition1, yellow pea protein based formula2, fiber3, vegetarian4, gastrointestinal tolerance5, vegan6, nutrition support7, formula intolerance8
Received: 28 Apr 2025; Accepted: 20 Nov 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Cohen, Millovich, Newman, Withrow, Beseler and Valentine. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Nicole Withrow, nikki.withrow@katefarms.com
Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.