Table 4 Key messages about the clinical use of enteral and parenteral nutrition in ICU patients.

• Both hypocaloric and hypercaloric feeding are unsafe

• Enteral nutrition: preferred route of nutrition

• Start enteral nutrition on day 1 or 2 after ICU admission

• In case of failure with enteral nutrition on day 3 or 4 after ICU admission, start individualized supplemental parenteral nutrition to reduce infection rates and duration of mechanical ventilation

• Parenteral nutrition is safe as long as hypercaloric feeding is avoided

• Exclusive parenteral nutrition should be reserved to absolute contraindication to enteral nutrition