A diet lacking in nutrients may require a nutritional supplement drink.
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If you have a poor appetite or feel that your diet is lacking, you may consider adding a nutritional supplement drink, such as Glucerna or Ensure, to your diet.
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While both products contain a variety of the nutrients you need for good health, there are some differences in Glucerna vs Ensure. Knowing these differences can help you decide which supplement drink is the right one for you.
The most notable difference between Glucerna and Ensure, which are both made by the same company, is the intended user. Glucerna is meant to be used as a supplement by people who need better control over their blood sugar, specifically people with diabetes.
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Ensure is more of a general nutritional supplement that's meant to provide calories, vitamins and minerals to those who have lost weight, have a poor appetite or are malnourished.
Nutritionally, there are also differences between the two supplement drinks. Glucerna is lower in calories, with 200 calories per 8-ounce bottle, versus 220 calories in the same serving size of Ensure.
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Glucerna is also higher in fat, protein and fiber, and lower in carbohydrates than Ensure. An 8-ounce serving of Glucerna contains 7 grams of fat, 27 grams of carbs, 3 grams of fiber and 10 grams of protein, while the same size serving of Ensure contains 6 grams of fat, 33 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber and 9 grams of protein.
The higher fat and fiber content helps to delay stomach emptying, which helps with better blood sugar control, according to the Mayo Clinic.
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Vitamins and Minerals
Both Glucerna and Ensure provide a number of essential vitamins and minerals, but some of them in different amounts. One bottle of Glucerna meets 100 percent of the daily value for vitamin C and 25 percent of the daily value for selenium, while the same serving of Ensure meets 50 percent of the daily value for vitamin C and 30 percent for selenium.
The additional vitamin C found in Glucerna is meant to boost its antioxidant content for immune system health. Comparatively, Ensure is a slightly better source of calcium, meeting 30 percent of the daily value versus 25 percent of the daily value in Glucerna.
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Additional Ingredients
Both supplements include a number of nutrients that promote heart health, but different ones. Glucerna contains phytosterols, which are substances found in plants that help to lower blood cholesterol. Ensure contains omega-3 fatty acids, which also help to lower blood cholesterol levels and promote heart health by reducing inflammation.
In addition, Glucerna contains a special blend of carbohydrates, referred to as CARBSTEADY ULTRA, that produces a smaller rise in blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
Glucerna contains phytosterols, which are substances found in plants that help to lower blood cholesterol. Ensure
Ensure
Ensure is an American brand of nutritional supplements and meal replacements manufactured by Abbott Laboratories. A 237-ml (8-fl oz) bottle of Ensure Original contains 220 calories, six grams of fat, 15 grams of sugar, and nine grams of protein.
The vitamin and mineral content of both meal replacement beverages are relatively similar to each other, though Glucerna contains a higher amount of vitamins D and C, and Ensure offers slightly more vitamin E. Glucerna may be a better meal replacement or supplement than Ensure for people with diabetes.
For people with or without diabetes, Glucerna® products should not be used to treat hypoglycemia, insulin shock or insulin reaction because the carbohydrates from Glucerna® do not elicit a large blood glucose response and would not help restore blood sugar.
With Glucerna, some people have reported feeling sick, having diarrhea, or experiencing gas and bloating. Others have said that they didn't like the taste or found it too thick, but these are more preferences than real side effects.
If the person can tolerate milk, I usually recommend Carnation Instant Breakfast powder, Slim Fast powder, or another such equivalent mixed with 2% milk (or whole if extra calories are needed). These provide vitamins, protein, and carbohydrates, and are much cheaper.
Are Ensure products for Diabetics? Ensure products are designed for individuals without diabetes. Another Abbott Nutrition product line, Glucerna, is specifically designed for people with diabetes, which contains a blend of more slowly digested carbohydrates to help minimize blood sugar response.
In general, you will use Glucerna™ at breakfast and lunch. For more information, see the insert “Your Meal Plan”. How will being on the meal replacement program affect my diabetes? As you lose weight, you may have lower blood sugars and need less diabetes medication.
Glucerna is a brand of meal replacement shakes and bars. These products are low in calories and sugar and high in protein. These products may be most useful for people with type 2 diabetes. Because the products have a low GI, they can help reduce blood glucose response.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: dizziness, unusual weakness, swelling of ankles/feet, mental/mood changes (such as irritability, restlessness), seizures. A very serious allergic reaction to this product is rare.
Glucerna meal replacement shakes sold in 24-count cases at Costco, BJ's, and Sam's Club have been voluntarily recalled for potential bacterial contamination. The manufacturer, Lyons Magnus, has also recalled other nutritional beverages. The shakes may be contaminated with a bacteria called Cronobacter sakazakii.
Glucerna® products can be used daily. However, individual needs depend on many factors, such as age, gender, level of activity, and health status. Consult a healthcare professional to discuss the amount of Glucerna® that is right for you, as individual needs depend on many factors.
Glucerna diabetes products are designed to help improve blood sugar control. The products are also used as a weight-loss program for people with or without diabetes.
The Glucerna products being recalled include 24-count club cases of chocolate, strawberry and vanilla drinks that are sold only at Costco, BJ's Wholesale Club and Sam's Club. The FDA says that Lyons has voluntarily recalled the products for the possible contamination, from the organism Cronobacter sakazakii.
While Ensure Max Protein has only 1 gram of sugar (along with an artificial sweetener, sucralose), original Ensure has 14 grams of added sugar. Cost adds up.
Glucerna is a brand name product, and enteral nutrition formulas is the generic name. Glucerna is available in four delicious kosher flavors: rich chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and mixed berry.
Glucerna is a brand of meal replacement shakes and bars. These products are low in calories and sugar and high in protein. These products may be most useful for people with type 2 diabetes. Because the products have a low GI, they can help reduce blood glucose response.
Full-fat milk contains high amounts of saturated fats, which may contribute to increased cholesterol levels and heart disease risk. While people with diabetes can consume full-fat milk in moderation, experts recommend choosing skim milk or low fat milk to manage saturated fat intake.
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