Liquid food supplements can be taken orally; some brand names are Ensure, Boost, Peptamen, Nutren, Vivonex, Isocal, Isosource, Ultra Clear, Ultra Maintain, and MiluVita Plus.  You can also make your own blender drinks.  Products such as Advera and Opti Healthgain have been specially developed for people with HIV.  Provincial and territorial (or private) drug plans may cover the cost of some of these.  In Ontario, The Trillium Drug Plan will cover the cost of liquid food supplements if, and only if, they are the only source of nutrition for you.

Enteral nutrition is used when you can still digest food but have problems eating or swallowing.  There are several ways this can be done.  A tube can be put through your nose and down your esophagus to your stomach.  Liquid food supplements are then poured through it.  Another method, called PEG can be used in on of two ways.  If your body can still digest food, a tube is inserted directly into your stomach through a cut in your abdomen.  the liquid food used is similar to the oral formulas.  If your body can no longer digest food properly, a similar tube can be inserted directly into your intestine.  The liquid food used is pre-digested and ready to be absorbed.

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is used when your body can't digest or absorb food any more.  Liquid food is given intravenously (IV, or directly into a vein), and is ready for your body to use as is. 

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