Is Ensure Plus good for diabetics?: A Critical Look at Nutritional Supplements

October 16, 2025 •

4 min read

While Ensure Plus offers a high-calorie, nutrient-dense formula for weight gain, its high sugar and carbohydrate content makes it largely inappropriate for most individuals managing diabetes. Effectively managing diabetes requires careful attention to carbohydrate intake to prevent blood sugar spikes, a challenge Ensure Plus presents.

Quick Summary

An evaluation of Ensure Plus reveals its high sugar and carbohydrate content makes it unsuitable for diabetics. Specialized products like Glucerna or Ensure Diabetes Care offer better-controlled nutritional profiles for blood sugar management.

Key Points

Not Recommended: Ensure Plus is not suitable for most diabetics due to its high concentration of sugar and fast-digesting carbohydrates, which can cause significant blood sugar spikes.
Look for Alternatives: Specialized formulas like Glucerna or Ensure Diabetes Care are specifically designed for people with diabetes, featuring a unique blend of slow-release carbohydrates.
Consult a Professional: Always speak with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian before incorporating any nutritional supplement into a diabetes management plan.
Understand the Ingredients: Compare nutritional labels, paying close attention to total carbohydrates, total sugars, and dietary fiber, to choose the safest option for managing blood glucose.
Consider Whole Foods: While supplements have a place, prioritize whole food alternatives like Greek yogurt, eggs, or nuts for better long-term nutrition.
Beware of Side Effects: Even diabetic-specific shakes can cause side effects like gas, bloating, or diarrhea in some users; monitor your body's reaction and consult your doctor if issues persist.

Understanding Ensure Plus and Its Purpose

Ensure Plus is a nutritional supplement created by Abbott Nutrition to provide concentrated calories and protein for individuals who need to gain or maintain weight. Each 8 fl oz serving of the ready-to-drink shake delivers 350 calories, 16 grams of high-quality protein, and 27 essential vitamins and minerals. While this makes it a potent supplement for those with high energy needs, such as post-operative patients or individuals with poor appetite, its formulation is not tailored for the sensitive metabolic requirements of a diabetic individual.

The High-Carbohydrate Problem for Diabetics

The primary reason Ensure Plus is not a good choice for diabetics is its high carbohydrate and sugar load. A single serving of Ensure Plus can contain up to 48 grams of total carbohydrates and 22 grams of total sugars. For a person with diabetes, this can lead to a rapid and substantial increase in blood glucose levels, making it difficult to maintain stable blood sugar control.

Carbohydrates break down into glucose, which enters the bloodstream. For a diabetic, whose body either doesn't produce enough insulin or can't use it effectively, a large carbohydrate intake can overwhelm the system and cause hyperglycemia. The carbohydrate source in Ensure Plus includes corn maltodextrin and sugar, which can contribute to quick blood sugar spikes.

Comparing Ensure Plus to Diabetic-Specific Formulas

Abbott Nutrition, the manufacturer of Ensure, also produces a line of products specifically designed for people with diabetes: Glucerna. Glucerna products are formulated with a unique blend of slowly digested carbohydrates, known as CARBSTEADY, to help minimize blood sugar spikes. In some regions, a specific Ensure Diabetes Care product is also available, which similarly has a low glycemic index.

A Comparative Look at Nutritional Content

Let's compare the standard Ensure Plus shake with a typical Glucerna shake to highlight the nutritional differences critical for a diabetic diet. Specific nutrient values may vary slightly by flavor and region, but the overall formulation philosophy remains consistent.


Nutrient	Ensure Plus (8 fl oz)	Glucerna (8 fl oz)	What This Means for Diabetics
Calories	350	~180-200	Glucerna offers fewer calories for better weight management.
Total Carbs	48 g	~27 g	Glucerna's lower carb count and slow-release blend help control blood sugar fluctuations.
Total Sugars	22 g	~4 g	A significantly lower sugar content in Glucerna minimizes the risk of a glucose spike.
Dietary Fiber	1 g	~3-4 g	Glucerna's higher fiber content contributes to satiety and slower carbohydrate digestion.
Protein	16 g	~10-15 g	While Ensure Plus is higher, both offer significant protein for muscle support and hunger management.

The Importance of Professional Medical Guidance

Making the right nutritional choices is critical for managing diabetes, and this decision should always be made in consultation with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian. They can help determine if a nutritional supplement is necessary and, if so, which one best fits your specific dietary needs, medication regimen, and blood glucose targets.

Using a product like Ensure Plus without proper medical supervision could lead to poor blood sugar control and potentially serious health complications. A doctor can help you create a meal plan that incorporates appropriate supplements while accounting for other sources of carbohydrates and calories in your diet.

Potential Side Effects of Ensure Plus for Diabetics

Beyond the risk of high blood sugar, some users of Ensure products may experience gastrointestinal side effects.

Bloating and Gas: The sugar and corn maltodextrin can be difficult for some to digest, leading to bloating and flatulence.
Diarrhea or Constipation: Changes in dietary intake from supplements can upset the digestive system, causing either loose stools or constipation in some individuals.
Nausea: Some individuals report feeling nauseous, especially when first starting the supplement.

For those with diabetes, these digestive issues can further complicate health management. It is important to monitor how your body reacts to any new supplement and report any adverse effects to your doctor.

The Bottom Line: Why a Specialized Formula Is Better

For a person with diabetes, a specialized formula like Glucerna is a far safer and more effective choice than Ensure Plus. The formulation of Glucerna is deliberately engineered to help control blood sugar and includes a balance of protein, fiber, and slow-release carbohydrates that are crucial for managing the condition. Relying on a standard, high-sugar, high-calorie supplement like Ensure Plus is a gamble that could compromise your blood sugar control and overall health. Always prioritize a product specifically designed for your condition and consult with a healthcare provider for personalized advice on integrating it into your diet and lifestyle.

For more information on Glucerna and its specific formulations, visit the official Abbott Nutrition website: https://www.family.abbott/in-en/ensure/why-ensure-diabetes-care.html

Healthy Alternatives to Nutritional Drinks

While diabetic-specific shakes can be helpful, whole foods remain the best source of nutrition. Here are some examples of diabetic-friendly snacks and mini-meals:

Greek yogurt with berries: High in protein and fiber, with natural sugars from fruit.
Nut butter on apple slices: Provides healthy fats, protein, and fiber for sustained energy.
Hard-boiled eggs: An excellent source of high-quality protein without carbohydrates.
A handful of mixed nuts: Offers healthy fats, protein, and minerals. Choose unsalted options.
Vegetable sticks with hummus: A fiber-rich snack with some protein.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ensure Plus is not recommended for diabetics because it contains a high amount of carbohydrates and sugar (up to 48g of carbs and 22g of sugar per serving) that can cause a rapid and unwanted spike in blood sugar levels.

The main difference lies in their carbohydrate formulation. Glucerna is specifically designed with a slow-release carbohydrate system (CARBSTEADY) to minimize blood sugar spikes, whereas Ensure Plus contains faster-digesting carbohydrates and more sugar.

Not all Ensure products are suitable. While standard Ensure products are typically not recommended, Abbott Nutrition does produce a specific line called 'Ensure Diabetes Care' in some markets, which is formulated with less sugar and a lower glycemic index for managing blood sugar.

It is generally not advised. However, any decision to use Ensure Plus, especially for weight gain, must be made under the strict supervision of a healthcare professional who can help manage and monitor its impact on blood sugar levels.

Common side effects can include gastrointestinal issues such as constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and gas, especially when first starting the supplement. Individuals should monitor their body's reaction and consult their doctor if problems arise.

In most cases, whole food options are preferable. Nutrient-dense whole foods like Greek yogurt, nuts, and berries offer a wider range of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and they often have a more predictable effect on blood sugar levels.

While Ensure itself may not directly interact with medication, its high sugar content can counteract the effects of blood sugar-controlling drugs by raising blood glucose. Users should always consult a doctor before mixing any supplement with their medication.