Is it Safe to Drink ENSURE PLUS Every Day? What You Need to Know

January 1, 2026 •

4 min read

According to Ensure's manufacturer Abbott, 1-2 servings of Ensure Plus can typically be recommended daily as part of a healthy diet, particularly for those with increased nutritional needs. The safety of drinking ENSURE PLUS every day depends heavily on individual health, goals, and a balanced overall diet.

Quick Summary

This guide explores the safety of daily Ensure Plus consumption, highlighting its benefits for weight maintenance and recovery, while also discussing potential side effects like calorie surplus and high sugar content. It emphasizes the importance of consulting a healthcare professional for personalized guidance.

Key Points

Consult a healthcare provider: Always seek medical advice before beginning a daily Ensure Plus regimen, especially if you have underlying health conditions.
Daily use can be safe, but context is key: For those with specific nutritional needs like recovering patients or underweight seniors, daily consumption as a supplement is often appropriate.
Not a substitute for whole foods: It is best used to supplement, not replace, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Beware of high calories and sugar: Daily intake, particularly in healthy individuals, can lead to excessive calorie consumption and potential weight gain. Pay attention to the added sugar content.
Risk of nutrient excess: Regular, high-volume consumption can potentially cause excessive intake of certain vitamins and minerals, which can pose health risks.
Watch for digestive issues: Some individuals may experience digestive discomfort, such as bloating or diarrhea, particularly if sensitive to lactose.

Ensure Plus is a calorie-dense nutritional supplement drink designed to help individuals, particularly those at nutritional risk or experiencing involuntary weight loss, meet their dietary needs. While it provides complete and balanced nutrition, the safety of drinking it every day hinges on various factors, including one's overall diet, health status, and goals. For most people, it should serve as a supplement, not a meal replacement, unless directed otherwise by a medical professional.

Benefits of Daily Ensure Plus Consumption

For certain individuals, especially those recovering from illness or surgery, or seniors with difficulty maintaining weight, daily Ensure Plus consumption can offer significant benefits.

High-Calorie and High-Protein Content: Ensure Plus is formulated with concentrated calories and protein, making it effective for weight gain or maintenance for those with high energy needs. A single 8 fl oz serving can contain 350 calories and 13 grams of protein.
Essential Nutrients: Each serving provides a wide array of vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin D, Calcium, and Iron, which are crucial for bone health, energy production, and overall well-being.
Immune System Support: With key antioxidants like Vitamin C and E, and minerals such as Zinc, Ensure Plus can help support normal immune function.
Convenient and Palatable: As a ready-to-drink supplement, Ensure Plus offers a convenient option for people who have poor appetite or difficulty chewing or swallowing solid foods.
Suitable for Specific Dietary Needs: Some Ensure formulations are gluten-free and suitable for individuals with lactose intolerance, expanding their accessibility.

Potential Risks and Considerations

While beneficial for some, drinking Ensure Plus every day without careful consideration can lead to certain issues.

Unwanted Weight Gain: The high-calorie content means that consuming Ensure Plus daily in addition to a regular diet can lead to unwanted weight gain, particularly for individuals who do not have increased energy needs.
Excessive Nutrient Intake: Overconsumption can lead to an intake of certain vitamins and minerals that exceeds the tolerable upper intake levels (UL), potentially causing health issues. For example, some products contain high levels of zinc.
High Sugar Content: Some Ensure Plus formulas contain significant amounts of added sugar. Individuals needing to control their blood sugar levels, such as those with diabetes, should consult a doctor and may need to consider a specific diabetes-friendly formula.
Digestive Discomfort: Although suitable for lactose intolerance, some individuals may still experience side effects like bloating or diarrhea, particularly with higher consumption. The lack of significant dietary fiber in some formulas may also lead to constipation.
Not a Replacement for Whole Foods: Relying solely on liquid supplements means missing out on the fiber and other beneficial compounds found in a diverse diet of whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. A balanced diet is generally the best source of nutrition.

Ensure Plus vs. Whole Foods: A Comparison


Feature	Ensure Plus (Standard Formula)	Whole Food Diet (e.g., balanced meals)
Calorie Concentration	High and controlled (approx. 350 cal per 8 fl oz)	Varies greatly; dependent on food choices
Nutrient Source	Fortified with synthetic vitamins and minerals	Provides naturally occurring nutrients, including phytonutrients
Dietary Fiber	Typically low or fiber-free	Rich in dietary fiber, essential for digestive health
Added Sugars	Can be high in some variants (e.g., 22g added sugars)	No added sugars unless processed or added manually
Protein Source	Milk protein concentrate, soy protein isolate	Diverse sources like meat, legumes, dairy, and eggs
Convenience	High; ready-to-drink format	Requires preparation; availability can vary
Purpose	Designed as a supplement for specific nutritional needs	Provides foundation for general health and wellness

Medical Guidance and Personalized Needs

It is vital to consult a healthcare provider or a registered dietitian before starting a daily regimen of Ensure Plus. They can help determine if it is appropriate for your individual needs, especially if you have an underlying health condition like kidney disease, which might require a different approach to protein intake. A professional can also advise on the optimal number of servings per day to meet your goals without causing unintended side effects.

Conclusion: Safe with the Right Context

In summary, is it safe to drink ENSURE PLUS every day? Yes, for most adults and when used correctly, but it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. For individuals needing a reliable way to add calories and nutrients to their diet, such as those recovering from illness, it can be a valuable tool. However, healthy individuals relying on it to replace a balanced diet risk over-consuming certain nutrients and added sugars while missing out on the benefits of whole foods. As with any dietary change, seeking professional medical advice is the safest and most recommended approach. Drinking Ensure Plus daily as a supplement under medical guidance is considered a safe and effective way to achieve specific health goals.

How to Drink Ensure Plus Safely

Consult a professional: Always speak with a doctor or dietitian before daily use.
Supplement, don't replace: Use it to add to your diet, not to substitute healthy, whole meals unless medically necessary.
Monitor your intake: Pay attention to how many shakes you consume and how it affects your weight and overall health.
Check the label: Be mindful of sugar content and choose lower-sugar variants if necessary.
Complement your diet: Pair Ensure Plus with whole foods rich in fiber to support digestive health.

Medisa, the source for Ensure Plus information, details various product aspects.

Frequently Asked Questions

A healthy person can drink Ensure Plus daily as a supplement, but it is generally unnecessary. Most healthy individuals can get all the nutrients they need from a balanced diet of whole foods. Excessive intake of the calorie-dense shake could lead to unwanted weight gain.

Some formulations of Ensure Plus, like the standard version, contain a notable amount of added sugar. For example, some varieties list 22 grams of added sugar per serving. Individuals managing blood sugar should look for specific, low-sugar versions or consult a doctor.

While Ensure Plus can serve as a meal replacement, it is not recommended for daily, long-term use unless directed by a healthcare professional. A balanced diet of whole foods is the best source of nutrients, including fiber, which is typically lacking in these shakes.

Drinking too much Ensure Plus could lead to excessive calorie intake and potential weight gain. It can also result in an unhealthy surplus of certain vitamins and minerals, which can cause health issues over time. Side effects may also include digestive problems like bloating or diarrhea.

Yes, many Ensure Plus products are suitable for individuals with lactose intolerance, containing only a small amount of lactose that is typically well-tolerated. However, it is always best to check the product label and consult a doctor if you have specific concerns.

The recommended intake often depends on individual nutritional needs and goals, and a healthcare professional should provide guidance. Abbott's own recommendations suggest 1-2 servings per day as a supplement, though up to 6-8 servings may be recommended under strict medical supervision for therapeutic purposes.

Individuals who can benefit most from daily Ensure Plus consumption are those with high nutritional needs, such as patients recovering from illness or surgery, those experiencing involuntary weight loss, or seniors with difficulty eating enough. It is intended for individuals at nutritional risk.