“to keep detainees alive even if they inhaled their own vomit during a session – a not-uncommon side effect of waterboarding – the prisoners were kept on a liquid diet. The agency recommended Ensure Plus.”

So, I thought I would go online at the Ensure web site and ask if this was recommended. Here’s the chat:

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You have been connected to Danielle .
Danielle : Hello John!
Danielle : Welcome to Ensure, how are you today?
John: fine thanks. i have a quick question.
Danielle : Sure, what is your question today?
John: i was reading this article: http://bit.ly/cU8c7l
John: it says “to keep detainees alive even if they inhaled their own vomit during a session – a not-uncommon side effect of waterboarding – the prisoners were kept on a liquid diet. The agency recommended Ensure Plus.”
John: i was wondering if this is a recommended use of the product?
Danielle : Hmm…interesting article. Ensure Plus is a complete, balanced nutritional product which can be used for those who need extra calories or those who need to gain or maintain a healthy weight. Ensure Plus can be used for a full-liquid diet (a diet that can have milk products) but should not be tube fed.
Danielle : I have never heard of using the product for this specific situation though.
John: so, no other nutrition is required, then?
Danielle : Ensure Plus can be used as a short-term sole-source nutrition. However, if a long-term nutritional product is needed or a tube feeding is, we have more appropriate products available for that.
Danielle : By short-term, I mean if feeding by mouth will be an option in the near future. For example, if someone has oral surgery and can’t have solids for a short amount of time. However, if they had damage to their throat and will never again be able to swallow, then a tube feeding would be needed and a more appropriate product should be chosen.
John: Cool. It sounds like a suitable use for the purpose. I was concerned that maybe it was abuse to only feed them Ensure Plus.
Danielle : Glad you checked. No, there are many times that Ensure Plus can be used for short-term sole-source nutrition. It would be up to the healthcare professionals to determine how much Ensure Plus would be needed to meet the individuals’ nutrition needs.
John: Excellent. As long as they weren’t being abused when they were being waterboarded! Thanks for your time.