Understanding What Ensure Plus Is
Ensure Plus is a higher-calorie, higher-protein version of the standard Ensure nutritional supplement, formulated to assist individuals who need to gain or maintain a healthy weight due to malnutrition, illness, or poor appetite. It is sold as a ready-to-drink shake and is packed with macronutrients, including concentrated calories and protein, alongside a wide spectrum of essential vitamins and minerals. The product is often recommended for use under medical supervision, particularly for patients at nutritional risk.
The Nutritional Breakdown of Ensure Plus
An 8-ounce serving of Ensure Plus provides approximately 350 calories, 16 grams of protein, and 20 grams of sugar, though these figures can vary slightly depending on the flavor and formulation. A balanced nutritional profile is its primary selling point. A typical serving offers:
- Macronutrients: A balanced ratio of protein, carbohydrates (including corn maltodextrin and sugar), and fats (like high oleic safflower and canola oils) for sustained energy.
- Micronutrients: A comprehensive list of over 27 vitamins and minerals, including significant amounts of Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, and Zinc. These are crucial for functions ranging from bone health to immune support.
Health Benefits of Ensure Plus
For its intended audience, Ensure Plus can offer significant health advantages:
- Effective for Weight Gain: For individuals struggling with involuntary weight loss, the high caloric density helps boost intake and promote healthy weight gain.
- Supports Post-Illness Recovery: The combination of calories and protein aids the body in healing and rebuilding tissue after surgery, injury, or prolonged illness.
- Muscle Health and Maintenance: High-quality protein helps maintain and build muscle mass, which is especially important for seniors or those experiencing muscle wasting.
- Provides Complete Nutrition: When used as a meal replacement or nutritional supplement, it helps fill gaps in the diet, ensuring individuals receive a broad range of essential nutrients they might otherwise miss.
- Versatile Use: The convenience of a ready-to-drink shake or powder makes it suitable for those with difficulty chewing or swallowing solid foods.
Potential Downsides and Risks
While beneficial for specific medical needs, Ensure Plus is not a 'health drink' for the average, healthy individual. Its downsides are primarily tied to its high calorie and sugar content:
- High Sugar Content: With up to 20 grams of sugar per bottle, regular consumption by healthy individuals can contribute to unwanted weight gain, blood sugar spikes, and other health issues, especially for those with diabetes. Healthline notes that Ensure Max Protein, a different formula, has only 1g of sugar, highlighting the stark difference.
- Risk of Unwanted Weight Gain: The high calorie count intended for those needing to gain weight can easily lead to weight gain for those who don't have that specific need.
- Gastrointestinal Side Effects: Some users report digestive issues such as bloating, gas, nausea, and diarrhea, particularly when first starting the supplement.
- Not a Substitute for Whole Foods: The convenience of a shake should not replace a balanced diet rich in whole foods. Real food provides fiber and other complex nutrients that supplements can't fully replicate.
- Allergen Concerns: Ensure Plus contains milk and soy ingredients, which is a concern for individuals with allergies or severe lactose intolerance.
Comparison: Ensure Plus vs. Alternatives
Choosing the right nutritional supplement depends on individual needs. Here is a comparison of Ensure Plus with other common options:
| Feature | Ensure Plus (Standard Bottle) | Ensure Original | Boost Plus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | ~350 | ~220 | ~360 |
| Protein | 13–16g | 9g | 14g |
| Sugar | ~20g | ~15g | ~24g |
| Fat | ~11g | 6g | ~14g |
| Vitamins & Minerals | 27+ | 27+ | 20+ |
| Primary Goal | Weight gain, recovery | General nutritional support | Weight gain, extra calories |
| Best For | Those needing significant caloric boosts | Bridging nutritional gaps | Comparable to Ensure Plus, high calorie needs |
Table based on nutritional information from Abbott and Healthline. Note: Specific values may vary by flavor and market.
When to Choose a Whole Foods Approach
For a healthy adult simply looking to add more nutrients, a diet based on whole foods is generally a better and more sustainable option. Alternatives could include:
- High-protein smoothies: Using ingredients like Greek yogurt, milk, and protein powder with fruit and vegetables.
- Balanced mini-meals: Having a smaller, nutrient-dense meal between main meals, such as a handful of nuts, a hard-boiled egg, or a piece of cheese.
- Fortified foods: Using milk or cereals with added vitamins and minerals.
How to Incorporate Ensure Plus Safely
If you or a loved one needs Ensure Plus, using it correctly is key. Always consult a healthcare provider, such as a doctor or registered dietitian, before starting. They can determine the right dosage and duration based on individual nutritional needs. It can be used:
- As a supplement between meals to boost calories.
- As a meal replacement, only when necessary and under medical guidance.
- During recovery periods to support energy and healing.
Conclusion: The Verdict on "Is It Healthy to Drink Ensure Plus?"
In summary, whether it is healthy to drink Ensure Plus depends entirely on the individual's health status and nutritional goals. It is an extremely valuable, doctor-recommended tool for those with specific, medically-directed nutritional needs, such as weight gain and recovery from illness. However, its high sugar and calorie content make it unsuitable for general use by the average healthy adult. For most people, a balanced diet of whole foods is a more appropriate and sustainable approach to health. Always use Ensure Plus as intended—as a targeted supplement—and never as a casual replacement for a balanced diet without professional medical advice. For more detailed comparisons between nutritional supplements, a resource like Healthline provides excellent information.
