Ensure shakes, manufactured by Abbott Nutritionals, are a line of nutrient-fortified ready-to-drink bottled beverages. These products are designed to supplement or replace regular foods and beverages for individuals unable to meet their nutrient needs through diet alone. Ensure comes in six formulations. Examples of several of these formulations include the Ensure Nutritional Shake or original product, Plus or high-calorie and Bone Health. Though these are quality products, you can substitute them with less costly options.
Nutrition Shake
The basic Ensure Nutrition Shake provides 250 calories and 9 g of protein per 8 fluid oz. shake. There are a variety of other bottled, ready-to-drink, fortified shakes on the market that provide a similar nutrition profile. Another option is adding a powdered instant-drink supplement to a glass of cow or soy milk. The ready-to-drink supplements or powdered instant drinks plus milk provide, on average, 150 to 220 and, in general, 9 to 15 g of protein per serving. In addition, these products offer a balance of protein, unsaturated fats and carbohydrates as well as a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals.
Plus
Ensure Plus is a high-calorie supplement that packs 350 calories -- like that of a small meal -- and 13 g of protein into an 8 fluid oz. bottle. It also contains 650 mg of alpha-linolenic acid, a type of plant-based omega-3 fatty acid that offers anti-inflammatory benefits, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. When chilled, this beverage becomes nectar-thick, which may be beneficial for those with dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing. Soy protein is high in quality and offers all of the essential amino acids, making it a "complete" protein food. In addition, tofu also contains omega-3 fatty acids.
To make a product that provides the calories, protein, vitamins, minerals and anti-inflammatory benefits of Ensure Plus, prepare a soy smoothie, such as the Banana-Cocoa Soy Smoothie featured on the Eating Well website. Blend together 1 cut-up banana, that has been unpeeled and frozen, 1/2 cup each silken tofu and soy milk; 2 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder and 1 tbsp. honey until smooth and creamy. This delicious protein-rich treat offers 340 calories and 17 g of protein. It is rich in many vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A and C, magnesium, potassium, iron and calcium.
Bone Health
Ensure Bone Health provides 220 calories, 10 g of protein and is fortified with more calcium and vitamin D than other Ensure shakes. A calcium-rich substitute for this product is kefir, a bottled, fermented yogurt drink that comes in individual or quart-sized bottles and is available in the refrigerator section of many supermarkets. It is naturally high in protein and probiotics, like yogurt, which promote gut health. This tangy drink comes in original, flavored and sweetened with sugar or a low-calorie non-nutritive sweetener. Traditional Kefir is made from goat, sheep or cow's milk. According to the Wegmans website, 1 cup of Lifeway Foods low-fat blueberry cultured milk provides 174 calories and 14 g of protein. Kefir is rich in bone-building nutrients, such as calcium and vitamins A and D.
References
- Abbott Nutrition: Ensure Products
- Weight Loss Resources: Meal Replacements Under the Spotlight
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Alpha-Linolenic Acid
- Eating Well: Banana-Cocoa Soy Smoothie
- Leslie Beck, R.D.: February 2008's Featured Food: Kefir
- Wegmans: Lifeway Kefir Cultured Milk, Lowfat, Blueberry
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