Glucerna products are dietary supplements from Abbott Nutrition, and choices include cereals and meal and snack shakes and bars. They are designed for individuals with diabetes, but they may be good for you even if you do not have diabetes. Talk to your doctor before using Glucerna products or any dietary supplements to make sure that your diet is nutritionally adequate.
Weight Control
Glucerna is good for you, even if you do not have diabetes, if it helps you control your weight. Use Glucerna as part of a calorie-controlled diet to prevent weight gain if you are already within a healthy weight range, or to lose weight if you are overweight or obese. Glucerna cereals, shakes and bars have about 100 to 200 calories each, so you can use them as a snack or meal replacement to lose weight. However, a healthier approach to weight loss may be to eat fresh foods, such as fruits, vegetables and beans.
Essential Nutrients
Glucerna products are fortified with vitamins and minerals that help you meet your nutrition needs even if you are not diabetic. The shakes, bars and cereals are good sources of most of the essential vitamins and minerals, including chromium, vitamin E, vitamin C, the B vitamins, calcium and iron. Glucerna cereal provides 5 g of dietary fiber, whose benefits include regulating blood sugar levels, as well as lowering your cholesterol and reducing your risk for constipation.
Glycemic Index
Glucerna meal plans are designed to help regulate your blood sugar if you have diabetes, but Glucerna products may be good for you even if you do not have diabetes. Glucerna products are low-glycemic, which means that their carbohydrates do not lead to spikes in your blood sugar levels. A high-glycemic diet can increase your risk for diabetes, according to the Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center. However, Glucerna states that its product-based meal plans are designed only for individuals with diabetes, and you should consult your doctor for a more suitable program if you do not have diabetes.
Product Safety
Glucerna products may have some benefits, such as providing whole grains and dietary fiber from its cereal. The average American gets about 20 to 40 percent of recommended amounts of whole grains and fiber, according to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. However, Glucerna advises against using its cereals if you do not have diabetes, although the company does not specify why. Whether or not you have diabetes, the safest approach is to consult your doctor about your health needs.
References
- Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center; Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load; Jane Higdon; December 2005Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center; Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load; Jane Higdon; December 2005
- Glucerna: Products
- Glucerna: Why Glucerna Works
- Glucerna: Frequently Asked Questions
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