You will find subtle differences between the nutrition beverages sold under the brand names of Boost and Ensure. These products are manufactured by different companies and come in a variety of flavors. Originally offered only in hospitals, they are now available at grocery stores, convenience stores and other retail outlets. At first, both look like the same product. While the basic ingredients are the same, a few added nutrients allow these companies to claim specific health benefits. Determine what health benefits you are looking for to choose the right one for you.
Manufacturers
Ensure Complete, Balanced Nutrition or "Ensure" for short, was created in 1973 by Ross, a subsidiary under the parent company of Abbott Laboratories. The product was still owned and manufactured by Abbott Laboratories as of 2010.
Boost Nutritional Energy Drink, or "Boost" for short, was introduced in 1995 by Mead Johnson. As of 2010, it was owned and manufactured by Nestle.
Flavors
The basic flavors for each brand include vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and butter pecan. In addition to these flavors, Ensure Original also offers dark chocolate and coffee latte. There is little to no difference in the nutrition between each flavor; however, the additional flavors offered by Ensure Original may help meet your taste preferences.
Packaging and Claims
Boost and Ensure come in a variety of package types, including cans and plastic bottles. Regardless of the type of packaging material, all products will have a Nutrition Facts Panel and an Ingredient Statement on the label to help you make a quick comparison. Health-related claims made by both Boost and Ensure have changed over the years. Both products were initially marketed to the medical field as nutritional supplements for hospitalized patients on restricted diets or those with eating problems.
Today, Boost and Ensure offer a variety of benefits under a portfolio of products that come in a quick, on-the-go format. To make a health-related claim on the package, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), requires that both companies include a significant level of ingredients that support the claimed benefits. When you look at the package, check the claims specific to your needs to help you choose which one is right for you and your family.
Basic Nutrition of Boost Original and Ensure Original
Nutrition beverages, like Boost and Ensure, contain a basic amount of calories from carbohydrates, proteins and fats, and a significant level of specific vitamins and minerals.
An 8-oz. bottle of Boost Original and Ensure Original each contains around 240 to 250 calories and 25 percent or more of the daily recommended level for 26 vitamins and minerals. The subtle difference between Boost and Ensure comes from the added nutrients these products include per bottle.
Boost Original contains additional antioxidants, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and selenium, to help fight free radicals and support a healthy immune system while Ensure Original provides added fiber for a healthy digestive tract, omega-3s for a healthy heart, in addition to antioxidants to help strengthen your immune system.
Types
In addition to Boost Original and Ensure Original, Boost and Ensure offer nutrition beverages under sub-brands to help meet specific health needs. Ensure Plus and Boost Plus are marketed as meal replacement supplements that add additional calories to the diet, 350 to 360 calories per 8-oz. bottle, to help those with weight gain issues and eating problems.
Ensure High Protein and Boost High Protein both provide a bonus of protein in your diet with 12 to 15 grams (g) per 8-oz. bottle, similar to consuming two large eggs.
Formulas to help with blood glucose control are sold as Boost Glucose Control and Ensure's Glucerna.
While Boost offers a product for kids under the sub-brand of Kids Essentials, Ensure offers an extra kick of calcium with Ensure High Calcium. Depending on how you eat throughout the day and whether you are battling with a health condition, like heart disease or diabetes, these products may be helpful to you.
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