What is enteral and parenteral nutrition?

If, despite your best efforts, you can't eat enough to stay strong, your team may suggest nutrition support. There are two main forms:

• Enteral nutrition gives nutrients in liquid form through a feeding tube into the stomach or small intestine.
• Parenteral nutrition gives nutrients directly into a vein through a catheter, used when the stomach and intestines can't be used.

Before this step, your team may screen you for malnutrition, and a registered dietitian can do a full assessment and build a nutrition care plan. Your care team is the best source of guidance on whether nutrition support is right for you.