Liquid nutritional drinks such as Boost, Ensure and Pediasure can be found in practically ever grocery store and drug store. They are also seen in magazine ads and in television commercials. This is because despite the stereotype, liquid nutritional drinks are not just for the elderly. They can be very important for people of all ages, and for those who are healthy or those who have chronic diseases. Liquid nutritional drinks are a convenient way to supplement the calories, fat, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins and minerals of a regular meal in one quick and tasty drink.
Ingredients
According to Iowa State University's nutrition department, most liquid nutritional drinks are made from the same main ingredients; water, sugar, soy proteins, milk, oils, vitamins and minerals. The ingredients vary based on the specific nutritional purpose of the drink. For instance, there are lactose-free nutritional drinks where the milk in the product is replaced by soy or even rice milk. Some liquid nutritional drinks are fortified with almost every vitamin and mineral, while others are fortified with only a few vitamins and minerals in very high doses for a specific purpose such as a high calcium nutritional drink for reversing osteoporosis.
Medical Conditions
People with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, AIDS, renal failure or gastrointestinal disorders can benefit greatly from the use of liquid nutritional supplements. A study published in the Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition found that blood sugar levels of diabetics was significantly lower after being given a liquid nutritional drink designed specifically for diabetics. Other medical uses of liquid nutritional supplements include speeding wound and burn healing through high protein drinks and helping underweight patients to gain weight without feeling too full.
Nutritional Drinks for Children
There are also several lines of liquid nutritional drinks designed specifically for children and their nutritional needs. Children are often very picky eaters so parents who are concerned that their children do not get an adequate intake of vitamins and minerals from diet alone can give their children a nutritional drink for children such as Pediasure. These drinks are designed to taste good to children and are available in flavors like strawberry and vanilla and are usually fortified with many vitamins and minerals such as calcium and iron.
Convenience
People with chronic medical conditions are not the only adults who drink liquid nutritional drinks. Many busy professionals do not have time to eat breakfast or lunch due to their schedules but know that skipping meals is not good for their health. Instead of skipping meals, some adults drink a liquid nutritional drink quickly on the way to work or in between meetings so that they can maintain good nutrition and good energy levels without having to stop working for long.
Cost
Liquid nutritional shakes are fairly expensive. Though they are usually provided to patients who need them during hospital stays, if a patient wants to purchase them for home use, they cost about $1.30 for an 8 ounce drink. This expense can really add up considering some people drink several nutritional drinks per day. Some insurance companies will cover the cost of nutritional drinks for home use provided that there is a medical condition such as failure to thrive in a child or AIDS in an adult.
References
- Nutrition in a Can --- Liquid Supplements. Iowa State University.
- "Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition;" M Gonzales-Ortiz, M Ramos-Zavala, RC Gonzalez-Lopez, et al. Effect of 2 Liquid Nutritional Supplements for Diabetes Patients on Postprandial Glucose, Insulin Secretion, and Insulin Sensitivity in Healthy Individuals (33); 1 , 67-70 (2009).
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