The dangers of a feeding tube diet

The K-E diet

There's a new diet trend that's geared mainly towards brides-to-be who want to lose weight quickly before their big day.

The K-E diet, also known as the feeding tube diet, is a radical weight loss scheme where a feeding tube is placed through the nose, down the esophagus and into the stomach.

Most people who use a feeding tube, do it because they need to stay alive and can't eat food through their mouths. But, there is also an increasing number of people who are using this feeding method as a drastic means to lose weight.

Brides-to-be following the K-E diet are fed a nutritional solution of just 800 calories a day through a slow drip into their nose for 10 days. They need to constantly carry a small bag around with them that holds this solution.

Why is it dangerous?

Dietitian Majorie Nolan says that people using this feeding tube to lose weight are putting themselves at great risk for a potential set-up of eating disorders.

Other side effects include infection, gastrointestinal problems, diarrhoea, cramping, and vomiting.

A potential serious health risk of using a feeding tube, is pulmonary aspiration. This is where the stomach contents are inhaled into the lungs, which could cause pneumonia and be life-threatening.

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