Does Ensure Make a Meal Replacement Shake? Your Guide to Different Formulas

November 15, 2025 •

3 min read

As the #1 doctor-recommended brand of nutritional shakes, many people wonder: does Ensure make a meal replacement shake? The answer is nuanced, as some formulas, like Ensure COMPLETE, are designed for occasional meal replacement, while others serve different nutritional purposes.

Quick Summary

Certain Ensure products like COMPLETE are formulated as occasional meal replacements, but others are supplements. The specific nutritional profile determines its intended use for weight gain or extra protein.

Key Points

Ensure COMPLETE: This specific formula is marketed as a complete, balanced occasional meal replacement.
Not All Ensure are Replacements: Many products, such as Max Protein and Plus, are primarily nutritional supplements, not full meal substitutes.
Check the Label: To determine if an Ensure product is a meal replacement or supplement, check its calorie, protein, and overall nutritional balance.
Consult a Professional: It's best to speak with a healthcare provider before using Ensure as a regular meal replacement, especially for weight management or specific health conditions.
Product vs. Supplement: A meal replacement provides a comprehensive nutrient profile to substitute a meal, while a supplement adds specific nutrients to an existing diet.
Ensure Max Protein is a Supplement: Despite having high protein, Ensure Max Protein is intended as a snack or workout recovery supplement, not a meal replacement.

The Core Difference: Supplement vs. Meal Replacement

Understanding the distinction between a nutritional supplement and a meal replacement is key to using Ensure products correctly. A meal replacement shake is formulated to provide a comprehensive and balanced mix of carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals that can substitute a complete meal. In contrast, a nutritional supplement is intended to add specific nutrients, such as extra protein, to an existing diet rather than replace an entire meal. This is why Ensure offers a range of formulas, each tailored for different dietary goals.

Ensure Products Designed for Meal Replacement

While many Ensure products are supplements, there are specific formulas marketed for occasional meal replacement. The most prominent example is Ensure COMPLETE. This shake is formulated with a more balanced macro and micronutrient profile and higher calorie count, making it a suitable option to replace a small meal when you're on the go. It provides complete, balanced nutrition along with a higher protein count to support muscle health. Similarly, some older products, like the Canadian version of Ensure High Protein 12g, have also been labeled as meal replacements.

Ensure Products as Nutritional Supplements

Most of Ensure's product line falls under the category of nutritional supplements, designed to complement a healthy diet, not replace meals entirely. These include:

Ensure Max Protein: This is a high-protein supplement, not a meal replacement. With 30g of protein and just 150 calories, its primary function is to help build muscle and satisfy hunger between meals or after a workout.
Ensure Plus: This higher-calorie formula is intended for individuals who need to gain or maintain weight. It is a nutritional supplement that provides extra calories and protein to fill nutritional gaps, especially for those at risk of malnutrition.
Ensure Original: This is a general nutritional supplement for everyday health. It can be used as a snack or occasionally to replace a small meal, but it lacks the full macronutrient balance of a proper meal replacement.
Ensure High Protein: With 16g of protein, this is another supplemental shake designed to help individuals stay active, not to replace a meal.

How to Choose the Right Ensure Shake for Your Needs

Choosing the right product depends entirely on your specific nutritional goals. Here are some key factors to consider:

For an occasional meal replacement: If you need a quick substitute for a meal, opt for Ensure COMPLETE. It is the most nutritionally balanced and calorie-dense option for this purpose.
For a high-protein supplement: If your goal is to support muscle health or manage hunger between meals, Ensure Max Protein is your best bet due to its high protein and low sugar content.
For weight gain or maintenance: If you are trying to increase your calorie and protein intake to gain or maintain a healthy weight, Ensure Plus is specifically formulated for this purpose.
For a daily nutritional boost: For everyday health and to fill potential nutritional gaps, Ensure Original is a good option to be consumed alongside or between meals.

Ensuring Your Nutritional Goals: A Product Comparison

To highlight the differences, here is a comparison of some popular Ensure products based on available information:


Feature	Ensure COMPLETE	Ensure Max Protein	Ensure Original	Ensure Plus
Calories	350	150	220	350
Protein	30g	30g	9g	16g
Sugar	Low (not specified)	1g	10g	Not specified
Fiber	4g	4g	3-4g	3g
Main Purpose	Occasional meal replacement, muscle health	High-protein supplement, muscle health	General nutritional supplement	Weight gain, nutritional support
Meal Replacement?	Yes, occasional	No, supplement only	Occasionally, small meal	No, supplement for weight gain

Conclusion

In summary, the question of "Does Ensure make a meal replacement shake?" has a layered answer. The brand offers products that serve as meal replacements, most notably Ensure COMPLETE, but the majority of its portfolio consists of nutritional supplements with more specific purposes. The key to making the right choice is to carefully read the product label and understand its intended use, whether it's for muscle support, weight management, or filling general nutrition gaps. For personalized dietary advice, it is always recommended to consult a healthcare professional. For more details on the complete product line, you can visit the Abbott Nutrition website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ensure Original is primarily a nutritional supplement but can be used as an occasional meal replacement or a snack to fill nutrition gaps in your diet.

Ensure COMPLETE is specifically marketed as an occasional meal replacement, offering a balanced nutritional profile with higher calories and protein than other formulas.

While not designed specifically for weight loss, Ensure can be incorporated into a balanced, calorie-reduced diet. Products like Ensure Max Protein offer high protein with fewer calories, which can aid in managing hunger.

No, Ensure Max Protein is a nutritional supplement with high protein (30g) and low calories, designed to support muscle health and satisfy hunger, not to replace a full meal.

A meal replacement is nutritionally balanced to substitute a complete meal, providing protein, carbs, and fat. A nutritional supplement, like most Ensure products, is meant to add specific nutrients to your diet.

No. While products like Ensure Original contain moderate sugar, formulas like Ensure Max Protein are specifically designed with very low sugar content (1g per shake).

Yes, but the recommended amount varies by product. For high-protein supplements like Ensure Max Protein, 1-2 servings per day is typical. Always consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice.