Is there an Ensure without artificial sweeteners?

November 14, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the product manufacturer, several popular Ensure formulas contain artificial sweeteners like sucralose and acesulfame potassium. However, for those seeking an alternative, there is an Ensure without artificial sweeteners available, specifically the Plant-Based Protein shake, which uses natural options.

Quick Summary

The Ensure Plant-Based Protein shake is free of artificial sweeteners, using natural alternatives like stevia and monk fruit. Most other Ensure products, including Original and High Protein, contain artificial sweeteners such as sucralose and acesulfame potassium.

Key Points

Ensure Plant-Based Protein: This is the Ensure product line confirmed to be free of artificial sweeteners.
Natural Sweeteners Used: The Plant-Based Protein shake is sweetened with organic cane sugar, stevia leaf extract, and monk fruit extract.
Most Other Ensure Products: Popular formulas like Ensure Original, Light, and High Protein contain artificial sweeteners such as sucralose and acesulfame potassium.
How to Check: Always read the ingredients label on the product packaging to confirm the specific sweeteners used in any Ensure product.
Beyond Sweeteners: The Plant-Based Protein shake is also vegan, dairy-free, soy-free, and non-GMO, offering broader dietary benefits.
Ingredient Variance: There are significant differences in the ingredients and nutritional profiles across different Ensure product lines.
Informed Choice: Choosing between options with natural or artificial sweeteners depends on personal taste, dietary goals, and potential sensitivities.

Yes, Ensure Plant-Based Protein Contains No Artificial Sweeteners

For consumers looking to avoid artificial sweeteners in their nutritional drinks, Ensure offers a specific product line that meets this requirement: the Ensure Plant-Based Protein shake. This vegan-friendly option stands out from many of Ensure's other popular formulas, which often contain sucralose and acesulfame potassium. Instead of relying on these artificial compounds, the Plant-Based Protein shake uses a combination of organic cane sugar, stevia leaf extract, and monk fruit extract for its sweetness. This allows health-conscious individuals and those with specific dietary preferences to enjoy a nutritional shake without the artificial ingredients they wish to avoid.

What is in Ensure Plant-Based Protein?

This shake provides a complete, balanced nutritional profile, but its ingredient list is tailored for those who prefer natural sourcing. Key components include:

Protein: 20 grams of 100% plant-based protein derived from fava bean and pea protein.
Fiber: A good source of fiber to support digestive health.
Sweeteners: Organic cane sugar, stevia leaf extract, and monk fruit extract provide a naturally sweet taste without the need for artificial alternatives.
Vitamins & Minerals: Contains 25 essential vitamins and minerals.
Allergen Info: Dairy-free, soy-free, and gluten-free, with non-GMO ingredients.

Other Ensure Products and Artificial Sweeteners

While the plant-based line is a safe bet for avoiding artificial sweeteners, many of Ensure's other well-known products do contain them. This is often done to reduce sugar and calorie content while maintaining a sweet flavor profile.

Ensure Original: Contains a blend of sweeteners, including sucralose and acesulfame potassium.
Ensure High Protein: Features a blend of sucralose and acesulfame potassium.
Ensure Light: Uses sucralose and acesulfame potassium to achieve its lower-calorie count.
Ensure Clear: Despite being a fat-free, juice-like option, it also contains sucralose and acesulfame potassium.

How to Read the Ingredients to Be Sure

For those who want to double-check their product, here is a simple guide to identifying artificial sweeteners on the label:

Locate the ingredients list: Find the ingredients section on the product packaging. It is typically printed near the nutrition facts panel.
Scan for key terms: Look for specific words that indicate the presence of artificial sweeteners. These commonly include sucralose and acesulfame potassium.
Check for alternative names: Sometimes, ingredients are listed under slightly different names. For example, acesulfame potassium might be abbreviated as acesulfame K or Ace-K.
Confirming natural sweeteners: If you choose the Plant-Based Protein shake, you should find organic sugar, stevia leaf extract, and monk fruit extract listed instead.

Why Choose an Ensure Without Artificial Sweeteners?

Choosing a shake free of artificial sweeteners is a personal decision driven by various factors. For some, the primary motivation is a taste preference, as certain artificial sweeteners can have a distinct aftertaste. Others prefer a more naturally sourced diet and opt for products with sweeteners derived from plants. People with digestive sensitivities might also find that artificial sweeteners contribute to bloating or discomfort, making a naturally sweetened option a better fit. Finally, for individuals following a vegan or dairy-free diet, the Ensure Plant-Based Protein offers a convenient and comprehensive nutritional solution that aligns with their lifestyle choices.

Comparison: Ensure Plant-Based vs. Ensure Original


Feature	Ensure Plant-Based Protein	Ensure Original (Typical)
Sweetener Type	Natural (Organic Sugar, Stevia, Monk Fruit)	Artificial & Natural (Sucralose, Acesulfame K, Sugar, Corn Syrup)
Protein Source	Plant-Based (Fava Bean, Pea)	Dairy & Soy Protein
Dairy-Free	Yes	No (Contains Milk Protein)
Vegan	Yes	No
Calories (per serving)	180 (11 fl oz)	220 (8 fl oz)
Fiber Content	5g	<1g
Key Vitamins & Minerals	25	27

Conclusion: Making the Right Choice for Your Diet

In summary, while many Ensure products do contain artificial sweeteners, the brand offers a clear, artificial sweetener-free option in its Plant-Based Protein shake. This product provides complete and balanced nutrition using naturally sourced ingredients like stevia and monk fruit for sweetness, and it is also a suitable choice for vegan and dairy-free diets. For those purchasing other Ensure lines like Original, High Protein, or Clear, it is important to remember that artificial sweeteners such as sucralose and acesulfame potassium are likely included. The best course of action is always to check the ingredients list on the packaging to ensure the product aligns with your specific dietary needs and preferences. By understanding the differences between these product lines, consumers can make an informed decision and choose the nutritional shake that is right for them. A quick look at the label will tell you everything you need to know about the sweetener contents. For more information on Ensure's products and ingredients, visit the official Abbott Nutrition website.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Ensure Plant-Based Protein shake is the specific product line that contains no artificial sweeteners. It is sweetened with natural alternatives, including organic cane sugar, stevia leaf extract, and monk fruit extract.

The Ensure Plant-Based Protein shake is sweetened using organic cane sugar, stevia leaf extract, and monk fruit extract, all of which are naturally sourced.

Yes, Ensure Original shakes typically contain artificial sweeteners, including sucralose and acesulfame potassium, in addition to regular sugar and corn syrup.

Yes, Ensure High Protein uses a blend of artificial sweeteners, specifically sucralose and acesulfame potassium, to provide its taste while reducing the overall sugar and calorie content.

Yes, the Ensure Plant-Based Protein shake is 100% dairy-free, as it uses plant-based protein from fava beans and peas.

The primary difference lies in the source of the sweetening agents. Natural sweeteners come from plants, while artificial sweeteners are synthetic compounds. Ensure Plant-Based Protein uses natural options, while most conventional Ensure shakes use a combination of natural and artificial ones.

The most reliable method is to check the ingredients list on the product label. Look for terms like sucralose or acesulfame potassium to identify artificial sweeteners.