Glucerna 1.2 Cal is a calorie-dense medical nutrition supplement specially designed for people with elevated blood sugars, such as those with diabetes. It can be used as an enteral feeding formula -- as in fed directly into the stomach through a tube -- or taken orally. It's meant to serve as a meal supplement or replacement, and each serving provides a balance of carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals. You should only use Glucerna 1.2 Cal under the direction of a physician.
Serving Size and Calories
The serving size of a food item influences the amount of calories and nutrients it provides. As an oral nutrition supplement, a serving of Glucerna 1.2 Cal is 8 oz. Each 8 oz. serving contains 285 calories. Glucerna 1.2 Cal contains more calories per serving than regular Glucerna and helps meet higher calorie needs with less volume.
Carbohydrates
The carbohydrates in Glucerna 1.2 Cal digest slowly, allowing for a slower release of sugar into the bloodstream. Sucromalt sweetens Glucerna products and has carbohydrate in an amount equal to high-fructose corn syrup, but it produces lower glucose and insulin effects. Sucromalt has gotten the GRAS, or generally regarded as safe, designation from the Food and Drug Administration, but the FDA hasn't ruled on Glucerna 1.2 Cal in general. The slower release of sugar provides better blood sugar control, according to the Abbott Nutrition website. Each 8 oz. serving of Glucerna 1.2 Cal contains 27.1g carbohydrate. Glucerna 1.2 Cal also contains 3.8g fiber. The sources of fiber include soy, oat, corn and fructooligosaccharides. Fructooligosaccharides are prebiotics that help improve digestion by promoting the growth of the friendly gut bacteria.
Protein
When people are ill, their appetite decreases, making it harder for them to meet their nutritional needs. Illness and stress also increase your protein needs. Protein needs can increase by as much as 1.2 to two times above normal needs, according to the authors of "Krause's Food, Nutrition and Diet Therapy." Each serving of Glucerna 1.2 Cal contains 14.2g complete protein. Soy protein isolate is the source of protein in Glucerna 1.2 Cal.
Fat
An 8 oz. serving of Glucerna 1.2 Cal contains 14.2g total fat. The fat ratios in Glucerna 1.2 Cal are meant to follow the recommendations of the American Heart Association, with 4 percent of total calories from saturated fat and 28 percent of total calories from monounsaturated fats. Glucerna 1.2 Cal also contains the heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
Vitamins and Minerals
As a meal replacement, Glucerna 1.2 Cal contains all of the essential vitamins and minerals. Each 8 oz. serving meets about 20 percent of your recommended vitamin and mineral needs. If Glucerna 1.2 Cal is your only source of nutrition, you need to drink 41 oz. a day.
References
- Abbott Nutrition: Glucerna 1.2 Cal
- "Krause's Food, Nutrition and Diet Therapy"; L. Kathleen Mahan, MS, RD, CDE, Sylvia Escott-Stump, MA, RD; 1996
- FDA: How to Understand and Use the Nutrition Facts Label
- Abbott Nutrition News: Ensure Plus Now with Prebiotic Fiber
- MayoClinic.com: Prebiotics: What Are They?
