Real Food Blends: Review

Prelude: First, I'd like to say that this review was originally written several weeks ago (to Julie Bombacino, the woman behind RFBs) but I thought "why not make a blog for this?" so I've posted it here. I see so many kids who have improved from Real Food Blends but are unable to tell their parents and/or caregivers just how much of a difference real food makes, so here it is... This post is a review of the three main blends/"formulas" from Real Food Blends.  

Review:

I just have to say, I'm beginning to really love Real Food Blends! I just recently had a month-long hospital stay and surprised just about every nurse that I had (almost 56 of them!) with my Real Food Blends. They looked at each one in amazement, and even had fun asking me which pack I wanted at my various feed times. Something that I would've never been asked if I had other formulas.

During my stay, I got transferred from the ICU to the Pulmonary floor/unit. Surprisingly, about 90% of the kids on that floor have a feeding tube, along with their respiratory issues. And not surprisingly, I was the only one who used blended foods -- Real Food Blends! On certain days I was bombarded with questions about how I found RFBs, what formulas I previously used, and what happened when I switched formulas.

When I was admitted into the hospital, I weighed 69lbs. When I left, I was 74lbs. On commercial formulas I could manage to lose many, many pounds in a month. (Once I even lost 10 pounds at a six-week doctors visit!) Rarely have I ever gained 5 pounds in a month. I hope that by my next doctor appointment that I gain another 5.

I'm the first, and only, patient in my doctor's Neurology department that has ever tried Real Food Blends. My doctor and nutritionist were unsure that I would be able to fully tolerate and digest RFBs. In fact, my nutritionist flat out told me that she didn't think I would be able to. I cannot wait to tell them how awesome that it is! I can't wait to tell all of my friends with similar conditions to try it.

Oh, and another thing... Poop. (I didn't want to mention it, but I kind of had to!) Bowel movements are NO problem with RFBs. The first few times I that I first tried a single blend pack -- I'd have to have a bowel movement immediately after I finished one! No constipation. No loose bowels. No pain. No offensive smells (haha). I wasn't sure that I could have it all, but apparently I can!  

To Julie: Thank you so much for using your son's inspiration and going through with creating RFBs. I used to take many medicines for my gastrointestinal problems -- hardly helping, if at all. I used to have diarrhea, bloating, and general stomach pain when using commercial formulas. Hopping from formula to formula, I am SO happy that I discovered RFBs! My doctor may have been unsure about the switch - but I am so sure that it's all been going well. I can't thank you enough! I am ecstatic!

Side-note: Yes, I know. It looks like I was paid to do this, but I promise that I wasn't. I'm your average teen who has been using a feeding tube since 2009. I'm just your really enthusiastic teen! The fact that for once I stopped experiencing stomach pain -- that the only thing that I experience with these packets is a full stomach, drives me crazy every time I use it. And yes, I still enjoy picking which packets I want to use. (The quinoa one is my favorite! The salmon one goes super easy on the stomach, too!)

For those of you who have wanted to try RFBs but are unsure of if insurance will cover it -- please try. I was immediately covered for Real Food Blends with Cigna (TX) insurance. And the cool thing is that I'm pretty sure that my second (Medicaid) insurance might've covered it, too. I'm a happy camper, and you all should be, too.

If any of you have questions about my experience with Real Food Blends, please send me an email at:

projectcode18@gmail.com

(or check out my blog comparing my old formula to Real Food Blends by clicking HERE.)

If you have any questions about insurance coverage, the HCPCS billing code for Real Food Blends is: B4149. Call your insurance(s) and ask if that code is a covered benefit!