Quick answer: Nutren 2.0 is an unflavored tube feeding formula from Nestlé Health Science with 2 calories in every mL. One 250 mL (8.45 fl oz) carton has 500 calories, 21 grams of protein, 23 grams of fat, and 54 grams of carbohydrate, with no fiber listed. Its closest match is Abbott's TwoCal HN, which has 475 calories and 19.9 grams of protein per 8 fl oz carton, plus a small amount of fiber and a vanilla flavor.
Below you'll find the full numbers, how the two formulas differ, the difference between cartons and ready-to-hang containers, and simple math for figuring out how much to order each month.
Tube feeding formulas are medical foods. Use them only as directed by your doctor or dietitian, including how much water to flush.
Nutren 2.0 nutrition facts
These numbers come from Nestlé's Nutren 2.0 product page and spec sheet. Formulas can change, so always check the label on your carton or container.
| Nutrient | Per 250 mL carton | Per 1000 mL |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 500 | 2,000 |
| Protein | 21 g | 84 g |
| Total fat | 23 g | 92 g |
| MCT oil (part of total fat) | 11.5 g | 46 g |
| Carbohydrate | 54 g | 216 g |
| Fiber | None listed | None listed |
| Water | 173 mL | 692 mL |
| Sodium | 375 mg | 1,500 mg |
| Potassium | 525 mg | 2,100 mg |
A few more details from Nestlé:
- Calorie density: 2.0 calories per mL.
- Where the calories come from: 17% protein, 43% carbohydrate, 40% fat.
- Free water: 69%. In plain terms, close to 70% of what's in the carton is water.
- Osmolality: 780 mOsm/kg water. This is a measure of how concentrated a liquid is. Your care team uses it when they set up a feeding plan.
- Protein source: Milk (sodium and calcium caseinate) and soy.
- Fat source: MCT oil and canola oil, in a 50:50 MCT to LCT ratio.
- Flavor: Unflavored only.
- Diet labels: Gluten-free and kosher. Labeled suitable for lactose intolerance, but not for galactosemia. It contains milk and soy.
Nestlé's sheet also calls for pump-assisted feeding with a feeding tube of 8 French or larger. That's worth knowing if your plan uses a syringe or gravity bag instead. Ask your care team how they want it given.
2.0 Cal formulas compared
Nutren 2.0 and TwoCal HN are the two formulas most people mean when they search for a "2 calorie tube feeding formula." We've added Boost VHC and Ensure Plus because families sometimes ask about them. Those two are oral drinks, not tube feeding formulas.
| Nutren 2.0 | TwoCal HN | Boost VHC | Ensure Plus | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maker | Nestlé | Abbott | Nestlé | Abbott |
| Serving size | 250 mL (8.45 fl oz) | 237 mL (8 fl oz) | 237 mL (8 fl oz) | 237 mL (8 fl oz) |
| Calories per mL | 2.0 | 2.0 | About 2.2 | About 1.5 |
| Calories per serving | 500 | 475 | 530 | 350 |
| Protein | 21 g | 19.9 g | 22 g | 16 g |
| Fat | 23 g | 21.5 g | 26 g | See label |
| Carbohydrate | 54 g | 51.8 g | See label | See label |
| Fiber | None listed | 1.2 g (scFOS) | 0 g | 0 g |
| Free water | 69% | About 70% | Not listed | Not listed |
| Osmolality | 780 mOsm/kg | 725 mOsm/kg | Not listed | Not listed |
| Flavor | Unflavored | Vanilla | Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry | Several |
| Labeled use | Tube feeding | Tube or oral feeding | Oral drink | Oral drink |
| 1000 mL format | Yes, case of 6 | Yes, case of 8 | No | No |
Sources: Nestlé Nutren 2.0, Abbott TwoCal HN, Boost VHC.
TwoCal HN vs Nutren 2.0: the real differences
On paper, they're very close. Per liter, both have 2,000 calories, and protein is nearly the same (84 g for Nutren 2.0, 83.5 g for TwoCal HN). The differences are smaller details:
- Fiber. TwoCal HN has a little fiber (scFOS, 5 g per liter). Nutren 2.0 doesn't list any.
- Flavor. TwoCal HN is vanilla and is labeled for tube or oral use. Nutren 2.0 is unflavored and is labeled as a tube feeding formula.
- Carton size. A Nutren 2.0 carton is 250 mL. A TwoCal HN carton is 237 mL. If your plan is written in cartons, the totals won't match exactly between brands.
- Osmolality. Nutren 2.0 is listed at 780 and TwoCal HN at 725.
Because of these details, don't switch brands on your own. Your dietitian may need to adjust the volume, the rate, or the water flushes.
What about Novasource Renal? It's also about 2 calories per mL, but its protein and mineral levels are set for a different purpose. It isn't a stand-in for Nutren 2.0 or TwoCal HN.
Cartons vs ready-to-hang containers
Nutren 2.0 comes two ways. Both have the same formula inside.
250 mL cartons (case of 24). These are reclosable Tetra Prisma cartons. They work well if you pour formula into a feeding bag, use a syringe, or need small amounts. They're also handy for travel and for keeping a backup supply in the closet. Shop Nutren 2.0 cartons, case of 24.
1000 mL ready-to-hang containers (case of 6). Distributors often list this format as UltraPak SpikeRight. You connect a compatible pump set straight to the container, so there's no pouring. One container holds a full liter, or 2,000 calories. Families who run a pump overnight often like this format because there's less handling. Shop Nutren 2.0 ready-to-hang, case of 6.
If you go with ready-to-hang, make sure your pump set is made to spike that type of container. Ask your supplier or care team if you're not sure. We carry sets like the Kangaroo OMNI Feeding Set with Flush Bag, plus extension sets and syringes in our enteral feeding supplies collection.
TwoCal HN also comes in cartons and 1000 mL ready-to-hang containers. At SaveMedical, you'll find TwoCal HN cartons in a case of 24.
What caregivers say
We read caregiver discussions on Reddit, retail reviews, and reviews from our own customers. Here's what came up most.
Small volume is the main reason families use it. One caregiver in r/feedingtube explained they moved to Nutren 2.0 because their loved one felt full quickly and couldn't handle larger amounts. (source)
Water flushes matter more with a 2.0 formula. Because these formulas have less water per calorie, caregivers and dietitians on Reddit often talk about planned water flushes through the day. Dietitians in one r/dietetics thread pointed out that TwoCal HN has less free water and little fiber, so extra water is usually part of the plan. Amounts vary a lot from person to person, so follow your own instructions. (source)
Slower often goes better. An ALS caregiver shared that Nutren 2.0 went better when it was given slowly. Another fed by bag over 20 to 30 minutes. (source)
Every stomach is different. A parent in r/feedingtube tried more than six formulas before finding one that worked. Fiber helped some people and not others. (source)
Check the dates. Some Amazon reviewers of Nutren 2.0 said their cartons arrived close to, or past, their use-by date. Look at the date as soon as a case arrives.
Taste, if sipped, is mixed. Nutren 2.0 is unflavored. Reviewers who drank it called it anything from bland to "like soy milk." TwoCal HN is vanilla. One of our customers wrote, "My son drinks these like water." Another said, "Good quality and good prices."
Coverage depends on where you live. One caregiver on Reddit said their Nutren 2.0 came through Medicare. Others pay out of pocket or use a home medical supplier. Coverage varies by plan.
How much to order per month
Your prescription sets the amount. The math below is only an example to show how to count. Use the volume and number of cartons your doctor or dietitian gave you.
Ordering tip
Order before you're down to your last case, so a delivery delay doesn't leave you short. Check use-by dates when your order arrives.
Example: a plan of 1,000 mL of Nutren 2.0 a day (2,000 calories)
- Cartons: 1,000 mL ÷ 250 mL = 4 cartons a day. 4 × 30 days = 120 cartons. That's 5 cases of 24.
- Ready-to-hang: 1 container a day × 30 days = 30 containers. That's 5 cases of 6.
Example: a plan of 4 TwoCal HN cartons a day
- 4 × 30 days = 120 cartons, or 5 cases of 24.
- Keep in mind that 4 TwoCal HN cartons equal 948 mL, not a full liter.
Pump sets. Many families use one new pump set each day, so a month is about 30 sets. Follow the instructions for your set and your care team's schedule.
A few tips for ordering:
- Order before you're down to your last case, so a delivery delay doesn't leave you short.
- Store unopened cartons and containers at room temperature, out of direct sun.
- Check use-by dates when your order arrives and use the oldest stock first.
- Autoship, our automatic delivery program, saves 5% on eligible items. You can skip, change, or cancel anytime.
- Free shipping on orders $75+. It's applied automatically at checkout.
- Many nutrition and tube feeding products qualify for FSA or HSA. Some require a Letter of Medical Necessity from your provider.
Questions about an order? Call us at 866-420-6997.
Frequently asked questions
How many calories are in Nutren 2.0? Each 250 mL (8.45 fl oz) carton has 500 calories. A 1000 mL ready-to-hang container has 2,000 calories.
Does Nutren 2.0 have fiber? No fiber is listed on Nestlé's nutrition panel. TwoCal HN has a small amount: 1.2 grams of scFOS per 8 fl oz carton.
Is TwoCal HN the same as Nutren 2.0? No, but they're close. Both have 2 calories per mL and about the same protein per liter. TwoCal HN is vanilla, has a little fiber, and comes in a slightly smaller carton. Nutren 2.0 is unflavored with no fiber listed. Talk with your care team before switching.
Can you drink Nutren 2.0? Nestlé labels Nutren 2.0 as a tube feeding formula, and it's unflavored. TwoCal HN is labeled for tube or oral feeding. If oral use is part of your plan, ask your doctor or dietitian which one they want you to use.
Is Nutren 2.0 lactose free and gluten free? It's labeled gluten-free and suitable for lactose intolerance, but not for galactosemia. It contains milk and soy, so it isn't a fit for a milk or soy allergy.
Does insurance cover Nutren 2.0? Sometimes. Coverage depends on your plan and often requires a prescription and paperwork from your provider. Many families also buy by the case on their own, and some use FSA or HSA funds.
Tube feeding formulas are medical foods. Use them only as directed by your doctor or dietitian, including how much water to flush.
