Ensure pudding, manufactured by Abbott Laboratories, is a protein-rich, fortified dietary supplement. It offers a higher amount of nutrients than regular pudding and is appropriate for those who are underweight or malnourished; require a consistency-modified diet, such as soft or full liquid; as well as those with difficulty swallowing or dysphasia. This oral supplement offers an alternative to liquid shakes and is easy to eat. This product is shelf-stable and does not require refrigeration.
Basic Nutrition Stats
Ensure pudding, according to Abbott Laboratories, is available in three flavors: Butterscotch Delight, Homemade Vanilla and Creamy Milk Chocolate. This milk-containing product has a "spoon-thick" consistency. A 4 oz. container of Ensure Butterscotch Delight pudding provides 170 calories, 4 g protein, 5 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 30 g carbohydrates, 15 g sugars, 3 g dietary fiber, 85 mg sodium and 5 mg cholesterol. Ensure pudding is a low-fat food. The nutrient breakdown for this dietary supplement is 9.4 percent protein, 64.1 percent carbohydrate and 26.5 percent fat.
Nutrient Functions
Ensure pudding is vitamin and mineral fortified and is a good food source of 24 essential vitamins and minerals. One serving or a 4 oz. container of Ensure pudding meets approximately 10 percent of the Recommended Daily Value, or DV, for most of these nutrients. Vitamins A, C, E, folate and the trace minerals selenium and iron help support the immune system, whereas vitamins K, D, and the minerals magnesium, calcium and phosphorus are needed to build and maintain strong, healthy bones. Vitamins C and zinc, along with protein, are beneficial for wound healing, whereas carbohydrates provide energy.
FOS
Each container of Ensure pudding contains 3 g Fructooligosaccharides, or FOS. The trade name for this is "NutraFlora" and, according to Abbott, FOS help maintain digestive and immune system health enhance calcium absorption and promote regularity. The National Institutes of Health or NIH reports that FOS are non-digestible, calorie-free carbohydrates that are naturally present in many plant foods.
Furthermore, according to the NIH, FOS are used by the body's beneficial bacteria for the growth and proliferation in the large intestine. In conjunction with the body's own bacteria, FOS enhance nutrient absorption, contribute to regular bowel movements and may offer immune system benefits. These benefits are particularly pronounced for individuals with less than optimal levels of microbial flora, possibly due to antibiotic use. FOS enhance and promote the growth of probiotics, such as bifidus and acidophilus; thus, they are collectively referred to as prebiotics.
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