As The Blending Dietitian, I am often asked what I consider the best liquid for smoothies and homemade tube feeding recipes.
Whether you consume your nutrition by mouth or through a feeding tube, choosing the right liquid base is crucial for meeting your health needs and goals.
This guide is for you if you want to create a nutrition-packed smoothie – whether you’re drinking it OR using it for tube feeding.
We’ll explore how different liquids affect the nutritional content of your blend so you can make the best choice for your specific needs.
Table of Contents
Choosing your best liquid for smoothies or homemade tube feeds
Specific health needs
When choosing the best liquid for your smoothie or homemade tube feeding recipe, it’s important to consider your unique health needs.
You may require a nutrient-dense, high-calorie option, while others might need something “lighter” or low-calorie.
If you have diabetes, you’ll pay closer attention to the liquids with more carbohydrates or added sugar.
If you are going through cancer treatment and need to get all the calories and protein you can get, you may not choose water or almond milk. You’ll see why below!
Whatever your needs, choosing the right liquid will impact your final blend and your health goals.
When making your choice, the same principles apply, whether you’re drinking the smoothie or using it through your feeding tube.
Talk to your healthcare team and dietitian about what specific nutrients you should focus on for your health goals.
Caloric density
Caloric density refers to the number of calories in a given volume of liquid. Depending on your goals, you may want a higher or lower-calorie liquid.
- For higher caloric needs: If you are trying to pack in more calories in a smaller volume – perhaps due to cancer treatment or recent undesired weight loss – you might choose whole milk, cream, or soy milk. They offer more calories per ounce.
- For lower caloric needs: If you need a lower calorically dense smoothie, options like water, broth, or almond milk may be more appropriate.
Your choice of liquid and its caloric density will directly influence the final caloric density of your blend, so choose your liquid according to your personal health goals.
And if you need more advice about your specific needs, talk to your dietitian for more guidance.
Fluid needs
Your fluid needs vary based on age, weight, activity level, and medical conditions.
Fluid needs also depend on fluid losses, like sweating or other conditions.
Your healthcare team can give you targets for fluid intake.
- If you need more fluids: If hydration is a concern, you might choose water or a hydrating broth. However, if you are on tube feeding, you may opt for more water flushing in between your feeds.
- If you need to limit fluids: If you need to limit fluid volume, opt for a liquid that is more calorically dense (more calories or nutrients in smaller volume), such as high-protein milk or cream.
Fluid needs are especially important for you if you are using blended tube feeds, where volume and consistency can impact tolerance.
Consistency
Consistency will affect the “mouth feel” if you are drinking the smoothie, but it is particularly important for you if you take it through a feeding tube.
- Thicker consistency: If you need a thicker blend, consider using a higher-calorie, thicker liquid like whole milk or soy milk. You could also use less liquid.
- Thinner consistency: If you prefer or need a thinner consistency, water, broth, or almond milk could be your choice.
If you are using your blend for tube feeding, you’ll want it to be completely smooth, without any lumps so it flows nicely through your tube and won’t cause a clogged feeding tube.
Liquids for smoothies
Let’s explore the various liquid options available for smoothies and homemade tube feeding, examining their nutritional content and suitability for different health needs.
*Always check labels for your liquids as products can vary, especially with added sugars and micronutrient supplementation.
Cow’s milk
Cow’s milk is a rich source of high-quality protein, calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (1).
Milk is available in various fat levels, you can choose according to your calorie and fat needs.
You may have also seen high-protein milk. There isn’t any protein added to this milk. Producers of high-protein milk state that the ultra-filtration process concentrates the protein and makes it lactose-free (2, 3).
Protein: 8 grams per cup (13 grams per cup in high-protein milk)
Calories: 103-149 calories per cup, depending on fat content (whole milk has more calories than skim milk due to the fat content)
Fat: 2.4 grams (skim) to 8 grams (whole milk) per cup
Carbohydrate: 12 grams per cup
Calcium: 300 mg per cup
Vitamin D: 2.4 mcg per cup
Vitamin B12: 1.3 mcg per cup
(4)
Health considerations: Cow’s milk is a nutrient-dense choice, particularly beneficial for you if you need high-quality protein, calcium, and vitamin D. It may not be suitable if you are lactose intolerant, have a dairy allergy, or are on a low-FODMAP diet (unless you use a lactose-free version) (5).
Milk alternatives for smoothies
There are alternatives if you choose not to or can’t consume cow’s milk. Each has a different nutrient profile and may guide your choice.
Soy milk
Soy milk is made from soybeans, and is nutritionally close to cow’s milk, especially in protein content. It’s a good choice if you need a dairy-free option with substantial protein.
Protein: 7-8 grams per cup
Calories: 80-130 calories per cup, depending on whether it’s sweetened or unsweetened
Fat: 4-5 grams per cup
Carbohydrates: 4-15 grams per cup, depending on added sugars
Calcium: often fortified, check the label
Vitamin D: often fortified, check the label
(6)
Health considerations: Soy milk is an excellent alternative to cow’s milk if you are lactose intolerant or have a dairy allergy. It’s not suitable if you have a soy allergy. It’s generally low FODMAP if made with soy protein instead of whole soybeans (monitor tolerance) (5).
Oat milk
Oat milk is lower in protein than cow’s or soy milk but has a creamy texture, a little sweetness, and some fiber.
Protein: 2-3 grams per cup
Calories: 90-120 calories per cup
Fat: 2-5 grams per cup, check the label
Carbohydrates: 16-24 grams per cup
Fiber: 2 grams per cup
Calcium: often fortified, check the label
Vitamin D: often fortified, check the label
Health considerations: Oat milk may not be suitable if you follow a low FODMAP or gluten-free diet (unless certified gluten-free). It is higher in total sugar content than soy milk (1).
Almond milk
Almond milk is lower in protein and calories than other dairy alternatives. The nutritional content of almond milk can vary widely depending on the brand and added sugars, so check the label for more accurate nutrient content.
Protein: 1-2 g protein per cup
Calories: 30-60 calories per cup (unsweetened or sweetened)
Fat: 2-3 grams per cup
Carbohydrates: 1-3 grams per cup (depending on added sugars)
Calcium: often fortified, check the label
Vitamin D: often fortified, check the label
(6)
Health considerations: Almond milk is a low-calorie, low-carbohydrate option. It is suitable if you are lactose intolerant, have a dairy allergy, or follow a low FODMAP diet (7). It’s not ideal if you are looking for a high-protein liquid.
Rice milk
Rice milk is generally made from milled rice and water. Rice milk is also low in protein but higher in carbohydrates.
Protein: 1 gram per cup
Calories: 120-130 calories per cup
Fat: 2-3 grams per cup
Carbohydrates: 23 grams per cup
Calcium: often fortified, check the label
Vitamin D: often fortified, check the label
(8)
Health considerations: Rice milk is a low-protein, high-carbohydrate option. It is suitable for you if you are lactose intolerant, have a dairy allergy, or follow a low FODMAP diet (7). However, you may want to look elsewhere if you have diabetes or need a high protein liquid.
Coconut milk (canned)
Coconut milk has a distinctive tropical flavor. Coconut milk is not to be confused with coconut water. Coconut milk is a rich, thick liquid that is a high-fat choice
Protein: 4-5 grams per cup
Calories: ~450 calories per cup
Fat: 48 g (mostly from saturated fat)(1)
Carbohydrates: 6-7 grams per cup
Calcium: uncommon for canned coconut milk to be fortified
Vitamin D: uncommon for canned coconut milk to be fortified
(9)
Health considerations: Canned coconut milk is high in fat, mostly from saturated fat. It is suitable for you if you need lots of calories from fat. It is lactose-free and gluten-free. It can be included in a low-FODMAP diet if it’s processed using ultra-high-temperature and unsweetened (7).
Fruit juice
Fruit juices (not “drinks” or “cocktails”) can be rich in vitamins and antioxidants but can be high in sugar and calories. They are also lower in fiber than whole fruit.
The following is for raw orange juice, per USDA. Other juices may vary.
Protein: 1-2 grams per cup
Calories: 112 calories per cup
Fat: 0.5 grams per cup
Carbohydrates: 26 grams per cup
Fiber: 0.5 grams per cup
Health considerations: Due to the high sugar content in fruit juice, it could be suitable if you want to add a sweet flavor to smoothies or if you need more calories from carbohydrates. However, consider using whole fruit instead for added fiber.
Broth
Broth may not be top of mind when you think of smoothies but offers a nice savory option. It is a low-calorie option, that adds fluid and electrolytes to your blend. The nutrition content of store-bought versus homemade broth can vary significantly.
The following is the nutrition content for ready-to-serve chicken broth, per USDA
Protein: 1.5 grams per cup
Calories: 15 calories per cup
Fat: 0.5 grams per cup
Carbohydrates: 1.1 grams per cup
Sodium: 924 grams per cup
(10)
Health considerations: Broth is often high in sodium, although there are sodium-free options so it’s best to check the label.
Water
A calorie-free, neutral liquid to add to any blend. Water is important for hydration but does not contribute nutrients.
If you are on tube feeds and are sensitive to volume, consider water flushing between feeds to optimize hydration.
The bottom line
Whether blending your ingredients into a delicious smoothie or a nutritious homemade tube feeding recipe, you should consider your base liquid for the most nutritious option to meet your needs.
There may not be a single best liquid for your smoothie or homemade tube feeding recipe but understanding the various nutrient profiles can help you choose the best one to meet your nutrition goals and needs.
If you need more individualized care to meet your nutrition goals, a registered dietitian can be a valuable resource to guide you on your health journey.
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