Medical food contains nutrients, including extra proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals that the body needs every day to function properly. Sometimes ingredients from food are the cause of illness or a condition. For example, in the case of a food allergy such as cow’s milk allergy or a metabolic disease.

For these situations, medical food is available with an adapted composition from which components have been omitted or where the components are offered in an adapted form that can be absorbed by the body.

Drinking nutrition and tube feeding are examples of medical nutrition. Medical food is not the same as a drink with extra energy and is not medicine either. View an overview of the difference between medical food, regular food and medicines.

Medical nutrition is widely used in hospitals, nursing homes or care homes. But you can also use it at home. Medical nutrition is recommended by a doctor or dietician and may be eligible for reimbursement. Read more  information about these fees .

The composition must meet European legal requirements and medical food must be used under medical supervision.