Ensure is a nutrition beverage that is often used as a meal replacement drink. It can be used for medical patients on a liquid diet who cannot eat food but still need nutrients. It can also help you to lose weight, but is not a recommended method of permanent and healthy weight loss.
Nutrition
According to Kathleen Goodwin, R.D., an 8 oz. serving of vanilla flavored Ensure contains 250 calories and 6 g of fat. Ensure also lists water and corn syrup among its first few ingredients rather than nutrient-dense sources.
Meal Replacement
The American Dietetic Association states that meal replacement drinks may help you get started on a weight loss plan. Although replacing your meals with meal replacement drinks such as Ensure may help you experience rapid weight loss at first, this weight loss is not permanent. Once you stop replacing meals with Ensure, you may gain the weight back.
Weight Loss Success
University of Iowa Health Care states that because permanent weight loss requires lifestyle changes, meal replacement drinks are not good choices. Instead, variety is important. Drinking Ensure in place of meals may make you feel deprived, and the cost of the shakes may be too expensive for long-term weight loss and maintenance.
Recommendations
In order to lose weight and keep it off, focus on making permanent lifestyle changes such as eating smaller portions and exercising regularly. Make a commitment to your health and weight loss goals, and find ways to stay motivated. It may also help to have a support system of family and friends to help you stay motivated and reach your goals.
Warnings
The rapid weight loss caused by replacing meals with Ensure may make you feel fatigued and sick. HelpGuide.org states that losing one to two pounds a week is a healthy approach to weight loss and may even help you keep the weight off permanently.
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