What is a good substitute for Ensure shakes?

December 4, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2022 survey, taste is a top reason why consumers seek alternatives to popular nutritional drinks, even when a product is doctor-recommended. For those needing a nutritional boost but desiring different flavors, ingredients, or costs, there are numerous commercially available and homemade substitutes for Ensure shakes.

Quick Summary

This guide covers several commercially available and homemade alternatives to Ensure nutritional shakes, detailing products like Boost and Orgain, along with recipes for creating custom nutrient-dense smoothies. It explores options based on specific needs such as protein content, sugar control, and dietary preferences, providing a comprehensive resource for finding the ideal nutritional supplement.

Key Points

Commercial Alternatives: Popular substitutes include Boost (often higher in protein), Orgain (organic and plant-based), and Premier Protein (high-protein, low-sugar).
Homemade Shakes: Customize ingredients, control sugar content, and save money by blending your own shakes with nutrient-dense components like milk, nut butter, oats, and fruit.
Diabetic Needs: For blood sugar management, consider specialized products like Glucerna, which contain slow-release carbohydrates, or formulate homemade shakes with low-glycemic ingredients.
Dietary Preferences: Plant-based options like Orgain and Kate Farms are suitable for vegan or dairy-free diets, while homemade recipes can cater to any specific allergy or preference.
Cost-Effectiveness: Homemade shakes are a significantly cheaper alternative to commercial products, offering comparable nutrition at a fraction of the cost.
Convenience vs. Control: Choose between the grab-and-go convenience of a ready-to-drink commercial shake or the full ingredient control and personalization of a homemade blend.

Ensure shakes are a popular choice for nutritional supplementation, but they aren't the only option available. Many people seek alternatives due to specific dietary needs, a preference for different ingredients, or simply taste and cost concerns. Fortunately, the market offers many commercial competitors, and nutrient-packed homemade recipes can provide an excellent substitute.

Commercial alternatives to Ensure shakes

Boost and Orgain are two of the most popular commercial alternatives to Ensure, though many others exist to address specific nutritional goals.

Boost

Produced by Nestlé, Boost offers a variety of ready-to-drink shakes designed for different nutritional needs.

Boost Original is comparable to Ensure Original in calories and carbs, but contains slightly more protein.
Boost High Protein and Boost Max provide higher protein counts, similar to Ensure's Max Protein, but with some variations in calories and carbs.
Boost Glucose Control is specifically formulated for people managing blood sugar levels, similar to Abbott's Glucerna line.

Orgain

Orgain is known for its organic, plant-based nutritional shakes, making it a great dairy-free alternative.

Organic Nutrition All-in-One and Vegan All-in-One shakes are derived from plant-based protein sources like peas, brown rice, and hemp.
Low Sugar Content: Orgain products often contain less sugar, sweetened with natural alternatives like stevia and monk fruit extract.
Higher Fiber: Many Orgain shakes are packed with more fiber from ingredients like chia and flax seeds, which can benefit digestive health.

Kate Farms and Premier Protein

Kate Farms: A plant-based, dairy-free, and vegan-friendly meal replacement option.
Premier Protein: A low-sugar, low-calorie shake with a high protein count (30g per serving), ideal for those focusing on protein intake.

Homemade shake recipes as a substitute

Making shakes at home gives you complete control over ingredients, allowing you to tailor them to your exact nutritional requirements. You can avoid artificial flavors, high sugar content, and preservatives often found in commercial products.

General high-protein, high-calorie shake

This recipe is excellent for those looking to gain weight or boost their overall calorie and protein intake, mimicking a shake like Ensure Plus.

Ingredients: 1 cup whole milk or fortified plant-based milk, 1 ripe banana (frozen for thickness), 2 tbsp peanut or almond butter, 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup, 1/2 cup rolled oats, 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder.
Method: Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend until completely smooth. Add more milk to adjust consistency if needed.

Nutrient-dense green smoothie

For a boost of fiber, vitamins, and minerals often lacking in commercial shakes, add some greens and seeds.

Ingredients: 1 cup coconut or almond milk, 1 large handful spinach or kale, 1/2 avocado, 1/2 cup frozen mixed berries, 1 tbsp chia seeds or ground flaxseed, 1 scoop protein powder (optional).
Method: Blend the liquid base and greens first until smooth, then add remaining ingredients and blend again until creamy.

Comparison table: Commercial vs. Homemade options


Feature	Commercial Shakes (e.g., Boost, Orgain)	Homemade Shakes
Convenience	High. Ready-to-drink or easily mixed powder.	Variable. Requires gathering and blending ingredients.
Ingredient Control	Low. Ingredients are pre-selected by the manufacturer.	High. Complete control over all ingredients.
Cost	High. Per-serving cost can be expensive, especially for specific formulations.	Low. Significantly cheaper per serving when using basic ingredients.
Tailored Nutrition	Variable. Targeted products for specific needs (e.g., diabetes, high protein) exist.	High. Easily customizable for specific dietary needs (e.g., diabetic, weight gain, high fiber).
Preservatives	May contain artificial sweeteners, flavors, and preservatives.	None. Uses fresh, natural ingredients.
Flavor	Limited to available product flavors.	Limitless. Customizable based on personal taste preferences.
Shelf Life	Long. Sealed bottles and powders have extended shelf life.	Short. Best consumed immediately after preparation.

Optional outbound link to authority source

For more information on the benefits of meal replacements and healthy dietary practices, consult resources from a trusted health authority like Healthline, which provides detailed nutritional comparisons and guidelines.

Making the right choice for your needs

When choosing a substitute for Ensure, your personal health goals are the most important factor. If convenience is your top priority, a high-protein commercial shake like Premier Protein or a plant-based option like Orgain might be the best fit. However, if you are diabetic, a product like Glucerna is a more targeted solution. For those with specific dietary sensitivities or a desire for natural, unprocessed ingredients, making a homemade shake is a flexible, cost-effective, and highly customizable option. Consider your taste preferences, budget, and nutritional requirements when deciding on the best alternative for you.

Conclusion

While Ensure is a well-known nutritional supplement, excellent alternatives are available for those seeking different flavor profiles, ingredient sources, or lower costs. Commercial options like Boost, Orgain, and Premier Protein offer specific formulations for various health needs, including higher protein or plant-based ingredients. Homemade shakes provide a highly customizable and cost-effective solution, allowing for complete control over ingredients and nutrition. By considering your specific goals and preferences, you can find a substitute for Ensure that is just as effective and potentially more enjoyable.

A note on diabetic alternatives

It is important to highlight that diabetic-friendly alternatives require specific attention to carbohydrate and sugar content. Products formulated for diabetes, such as Glucerna, contain slow-release carbohydrates to help manage blood sugar spikes. When creating homemade shakes for managing diabetes, focus on low-glycemic ingredients like nuts, seeds, and specific fruits, while monitoring portion sizes. Always consult a healthcare professional or registered dietitian for personalized advice regarding diabetic nutritional needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

A homemade shake is a significantly cheaper and highly customizable alternative to Ensure, as commercial nutritional products often have a higher cost per serving. You can blend ingredients like milk, oats, bananas, and nut butter to create a cost-effective, nutrient-dense drink.

For basic nutritional needs, many Boost and Ensure shakes are nutritionally similar and can be used interchangeably. However, their specialized products differ significantly. For example, Boost's High Protein shake contains more calories, carbs, and sugar than Ensure's counterpart.

Glucerna is specifically formulated for people with diabetes, containing a special blend of slow-release carbohydrates to minimize blood sugar spikes. While Ensure products can be included in a diabetic meal plan, Glucerna is designed specifically for blood sugar management.

Orgain is a popular plant-based alternative that uses protein from organic sources like peas and brown rice. Other options include Kate Farms shakes or creating a homemade vegan smoothie using plant-based milk, tofu, or plant protein powder.

To create a high-calorie homemade shake, blend calorie-dense ingredients like whole milk, ripe bananas, nut butter, and rolled oats. Adding a scoop of whey protein powder can further boost the protein content.

Yes, Premier Protein is a viable alternative to Ensure, especially if you need a high-protein, low-sugar option. It provides a higher protein content and fewer calories per serving compared to many standard Ensure formulas.

A homemade shake can be healthier than a commercial one because you control all the ingredients. This allows you to avoid artificial sweeteners, excess sugar, and preservatives, and to add whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and fiber-rich seeds.