Is Ensure Clear a Protein Drink?

December 6, 2025 •

4 min read

Each 10 fl oz serving of Ensure Clear provides 8 grams of high-quality protein from whey protein isolate. This confirms that Ensure Clear is a protein drink, although it is specifically designed for certain nutritional purposes rather than for high-protein muscle building.

Quick Summary

Ensure Clear is a fruit-flavored nutritional drink containing 8g of whey protein and 180 calories per 10 fl oz serving. It is fat-free and suitable for clear liquid diets or fat-restricted diets, distinguishing it from higher-protein, creamy shakes.

Key Points

Yes, it's a protein drink: Ensure Clear contains 8 grams of high-quality whey protein isolate per 10 fl oz serving, qualifying it as a protein-containing beverage.
Moderate protein level: It is not a high-protein supplement like Ensure Max Protein, which is formulated with 30 grams of protein.
Purpose-driven formula: This drink is primarily designed for clear liquid diets, pre/post-surgical nutrition, and fat-restricted diets, with its nutritional profile reflecting these specific needs.
Nutritionally incomplete: As a fat-free product, it is not a complete meal replacement and should be used to supplement, not replace, balanced meals.
Refreshing alternative: Provides a light, fruit-flavored, juice-like texture for those who prefer an alternative to creamy, thicker shakes.
Contains sugar: Ensure Clear is relatively high in sugar, a factor to consider for those monitoring their sugar intake.

The Answer: Is Ensure Clear a Protein Drink?

Yes, Ensure Clear is classified as a protein drink. While it may not contain the high protein content of a shake designed for bodybuilders, each serving delivers a moderate 8 grams of high-quality whey protein isolate. The important distinction to understand is its specific purpose and application. Unlike traditional creamy protein shakes, Ensure Clear is a fat-free, fruit-flavored liquid intended for individuals who need nutritional support but cannot tolerate a milky or thick supplement. This makes it a protein source, but with a highly specific therapeutic use case.

The Nutritional Profile of Ensure Clear

To fully understand its role, a deeper look at the nutrition label is necessary. Beyond the 8 grams of protein, a standard 10 fl oz serving of Ensure Clear provides 180 calories and is fortified with 15 essential vitamins and minerals. Its key ingredients include water, corn maltodextrin, sugar, and whey protein isolate.

Protein Source: The protein in Ensure Clear comes from whey protein isolate, a high-quality, easily digestible form of milk protein.
Fat-Free: Its fat-free composition is a crucial feature, making it suitable for clear liquid diets and fat-restricted diets.
High in Sugar: It contains a significant amount of sugar, including 18 grams of added sugars per 10 fl oz serving. This provides energy but is a key difference when comparing it to low-sugar protein drinks.

Intended Use Cases and Considerations

Ensure Clear serves a specific segment of the nutritional supplement market. It is often recommended in clinical settings and for individuals with particular dietary needs. Some of its common applications include:

Pre- and Post-Surgical Nutrition: Its clear liquid nature is gentle on the digestive system, making it an excellent option before and after certain surgical procedures.
Clear Liquid Diets: It is a staple for those on a clear liquid diet, such as during preparation for a colonoscopy, as it provides nutrients without leaving residue.
Fat-Restricted Diets: For patients with fat malabsorption issues or those on a fat-restricted diet, Ensure Clear provides a source of protein and calories without fat content.
Alternative to Creamy Shakes: For individuals who prefer or need a lighter, fruit-flavored alternative to creamy, milk-based nutritional shakes, Ensure Clear offers a palatable option.

Comparison Table: Ensure Clear vs. Other Drinks

To highlight the differences between Ensure Clear and other protein and nutritional drinks, the table below provides a side-by-side comparison. The table includes Ensure Max Protein, a high-protein option from the same brand, and a typical third-party clear whey isolate product.


Feature	Ensure Clear	Ensure Max Protein	Clear Whey Isolate (e.g., Isopure)
Protein (per serving)	8g	30g	20-25g
Calories (per serving)	180 (10 fl oz)	150 (11 fl oz)	~100 (varies by brand)
Fat (per serving)	0g	1.5g	0g
Carbs (per serving)	37g	5g	3g
Sugar (per serving)	18g (added)	1g	0g
Texture/Flavor	Light, juice-like, fruit flavors	Creamy shake, various flavors	Light, juice-like, fruit flavors
Best For	Clear liquid diets, therapeutic use	High-protein muscle support, low sugar	High-protein intake, low carb/sugar

Conclusion

While Ensure Clear is a protein drink, its formulation and moderate protein content set it apart from high-protein shakes intended for athletic performance or meal replacement. Containing 8 grams of protein per serving derived from whey protein isolate, it is best understood as a therapeutic nutritional supplement with protein as a key component. It is specifically designed to meet the needs of individuals on clear liquid, fat-restricted, or pre/post-surgical diets who need nutrients in a light, easily digestible, and fat-free format. Anyone considering a nutritional supplement should evaluate their personal health goals and dietary requirements to determine if Ensure Clear is the appropriate choice, or if a different product, such as a higher-protein Ensure shake, might be more suitable.

For more information on Ensure products, visit the official Abbott Nutrition website.

Pros and Cons of Ensure Clear

Pros:

Refreshing Alternative: The fruit flavors and juice-like texture offer a welcome change for those tired of creamy shakes.
Fat-Free: With 0 grams of fat, it is ideal for specific dietary restrictions and medical conditions.
Moderately Nutritious: Provides a moderate amount of protein alongside essential vitamins and minerals.
Clear Liquid Diet Approved: Its clear formulation is a key benefit for individuals preparing for medical procedures.
Allergen-Friendly: It is gluten-free and suitable for people with lactose intolerance.

Cons:

High in Sugar: Contains a notable amount of added sugars, which may not be suitable for all diets.
Not a Complete Meal Replacement: Due to its lack of fat, it is not considered a complete meal and should only be used as a supplement.
Lower Protein: The 8g protein count is significantly lower than many dedicated protein supplements.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main protein source in Ensure Clear is whey protein isolate, a high-quality protein derived from milk.

No, it is not considered a high-protein drink. It provides a moderate 8 grams of protein per serving, which is significantly less than high-protein shakes like Ensure Max Protein.

No, Ensure Clear is not a nutritionally complete meal replacement because it is fat-free. It is intended to be a nutritional supplement to help fill dietary gaps.

Yes, its fat-free, juice-like consistency makes it an ideal option for people on a clear liquid diet, such as before a medical procedure.

Yes, Ensure Clear contains a significant amount of sugar, including 18 grams of added sugars per 10 fl oz serving, which is more than many dedicated protein drinks.

Yes, Ensure Clear is gluten-free and formulated to be suitable for individuals with lactose intolerance.

The main difference is their purpose and protein content. Ensure Clear is a fat-free, moderate-protein supplement for specific dietary needs, while Ensure Max Protein is a thicker, high-protein shake (30g protein) for muscle support.