What has more calories, Ensure or Boost?

December 5, 2025 •

3 min read

According to nutritional data, a standard Boost Original has 240 calories per 8-ounce serving, while Ensure Original has 220 calories in the same size serving, indicating a slight difference in their basic formulas. Determining what has more calories, Ensure or Boost, is not a simple question, as both brands offer a diverse range of products tailored for different caloric and nutritional needs.

Quick Summary

Comparing Ensure and Boost's original drinks reveals Boost has slightly more calories, but it is not the universal high-calorie leader across all product lines. The product with more calories depends entirely on the specific formula you choose from each brand.

Key Points

Depends on the Product: Both Ensure and Boost offer a wide range of formulas with varying calorie counts, so one brand is not uniformly higher in calories than the other.
Original Formulas: Boost Original contains 240 calories per 8oz serving, slightly more than Ensure Original's 220 calories in the same size, making Boost the higher-calorie option in this direct comparison.
High-Calorie Leader: Boost Very High Calorie offers the most calories with 530 calories per 8oz serving, making it ideal for those needing significant caloric intake.
Max Protein Showdown: Ensure Max Protein provides 30g of protein for 150 calories, while Boost High Protein gives 20g of protein for 240 calories. Ensure Max Protein is lower in calories, but Boost Max (another Boost product) matches Ensure's protein at a similar calorie count.
Beyond Calories: Look beyond calories to other nutrients; Ensure Original contains beneficial Omega-3 fatty acids, which Boost Original lacks, and sugar content can also differ significantly.

It Depends on the Product Formula

Many people assume one brand is inherently higher in calories than the other, but this is a misconception. Both Ensure and Boost have developed extensive product lines to address varying dietary goals, from calorie-dense options for weight gain to lower-calorie, high-protein shakes for weight management. Therefore, a direct comparison is only meaningful when evaluating specific, similar products side-by-side. The calorie count can change dramatically even within a single brand, depending on the targeted nutritional purpose of the shake.

Comparing Standard Formulas

When looking at the entry-level, 'Original' shakes, Boost typically contains a few more calories than Ensure. A standard 8 fl oz Boost Original provides 240 calories, while an 8 fl oz Ensure Original contains 220 calories. This might be the deciding factor for someone simply needing a mild caloric boost, but it's just the tip of the iceberg.

High-Calorie Options for Weight Gain

For those needing to gain weight or boost caloric intake significantly, both brands offer 'Plus' and specialized high-calorie drinks. Boost's most calorically-dense option, Boost Very High Calorie, packs a powerful 530 calories into an 8 fl oz serving. Ensure's counterpart, Ensure Plus, offers 350 calories per 8 fl oz. In this category, Boost offers a far more concentrated, high-calorie solution.

High-Protein, Lower-Calorie Options

Conversely, for individuals focusing on protein intake with fewer calories, the picture changes again. Ensure Max Protein provides an impressive 30g of protein for just 150 calories per 11 fl oz shake. Boost High Protein, by comparison, offers 20g of protein but with 240 calories per 8 fl oz serving. For those prioritizing protein with a low calorie count, Ensure Max Protein is the clear winner. Interestingly, Boost also offers a low-calorie, high-protein option called Boost Max, which is closer to Ensure Max Protein, with 30g of protein and 160 calories.

Head-to-Head Product Comparison Table


Product (Ready-to-Drink)	Serving Size	Calories	Protein	Sugar	Notes
Ensure Original	8 fl oz	220	9g	10g	Contains Omega-3s
Boost Original	8 fl oz	240	10g	20g	Slightly higher calories/protein
Ensure Plus	8 fl oz	350	16g	20g	For weight gain
Boost Plus	8 fl oz	360	14g	24g	For weight gain
Ensure Max Protein	11 fl oz	150	30g	1g	Lowest calorie high-protein option
Boost High Protein	8 fl oz	240	20g	15g	Higher calorie than Ensure Max Protein
Boost Very High Calorie	8 fl oz	530	22g	19g	Highest calorie option overall
Ensure Plant-Based	11 fl oz	180	20g	7g	Vegan-friendly
Boost Max	11 fl oz	160	30g	1g	Comparable to Ensure Max Protein

How to Choose Based on Calorie Needs

The choice between Ensure and Boost should be driven by your specific health or fitness goals. For weight gain, a high-calorie product is ideal. Boost Very High Calorie offers the most calories in a single serving, making it a powerful tool for those with very low appetites or high energy needs. Ensure Plus is also a strong contender with 350 calories. For weight management or those with diabetes, a lower-calorie, high-protein, or low-sugar option might be more appropriate, such as Ensure Max Protein or Boost Glucose Control. A health professional can provide personalized guidance.

Beyond Calories: Other Nutritional Differences

Calories are just one part of the nutritional profile. Other significant differences exist between the brands and across their product lines. For example, Ensure Original contains 320 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids, which Boost Original lacks. The sugar content can also vary, with Boost Original having 20g of sugar compared to Ensure Original's 10g. Protein levels are another key differentiator, as demonstrated by the comparison of the max protein formulas. Both brands fortify their products with a range of vitamins and minerals, but the exact quantities and types can differ. For a full nutritional breakdown of various formulas, see Healthline's comparison article.

Conclusion

Neither Ensure nor Boost has more calories across the board, and the answer is entirely dependent on the specific product being compared. If you are looking for the absolute highest calorie count, Boost Very High Calorie is the standout option. For a basic, original formula, Boost contains slightly more calories than Ensure. However, if your goal is low-calorie, high-protein intake, Ensure Max Protein is highly competitive. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific nutritional requirements, and you should always check the label of the specific product to ensure it aligns with your dietary needs and goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Boost Very High Calorie is the most calorically dense option from either brand, providing 530 calories per 8 fl oz serving.

No, Ensure Max Protein has fewer calories. At 150 calories per 11 fl oz serving, it is lower in calories than Boost High Protein, which has 240 calories per 8 fl oz serving.

For weight gain, you should opt for the high-calorie versions like Boost Very High Calorie (530 calories) or Ensure Plus (350 calories). The best choice depends on your specific calorie target.

No, protein content varies significantly across different product lines. For instance, Ensure Max Protein offers 30g of protein while Boost High Protein offers 20g. Their original formulas also have different protein amounts.

Both brands offer specific formulas designed for diabetes management. Boost has its Glucose Control product line, and the company behind Ensure, Abbott Nutrition, offers the Glucerna line.

No, this is a common misconception. The calorie count is product-specific. While Ensure Original is lower than Boost Original, other formulas like Ensure Plus are comparable or higher than certain Boost products.

For weight management, you would likely choose a lower-calorie, high-protein formula. Compare products like Ensure Max Protein (150 calories) against Boost Max (160 calories), as they offer high protein for fewer calories.

Yes, other key differences include protein levels, sugar content, and specific micronutrients. For instance, Ensure Original contains omega-3 fatty acids, which Boost Original lacks.