As you’re in a rush to work, you find yourself in a convenience store, eyeing that tempting blueberry muffin. You quickly remind yourself, “TOO MUCH SUGAR,” as you try to stay health-conscious. A meal-replacement drink could be the ideal solution for you, and Ensure offers several products that promise “complete, balanced nutrition,” like Ensure Original and Ensure Plus. According to the Ensure website, Ensure Original contains 220 calories, 9 grams of protein, and 15 grams of sugar, while Ensure Plus offers 350 calories, 16 grams of protein, and 20 grams of sugar.
Since Ensure is known as a nutritional drink, you might wonder if it serves well as a weight-loss meal replacement. Although Ensure might help you bridge the gap between meals, their products are not specifically crafted for weight loss, as stated on the Ensure website. The primary aim of Ensure’s nutritional drinks is to supplement one’s diet. Ensure Original, Ensure Plus, and Ensure Enlive are designed to help individuals achieve or sustain a healthy weight. As individuals age, they often lose their appetite and struggle to obtain sufficient nutrition (via Healthline). These drinks also enrich the diet with essential vitamins and minerals. The protein content aids in maintaining muscle mass and supports the body in combating infections, as noted by Aging Care.
Using meal replacements for weight loss
When considering weight loss, meal replacements can be convenient if you’re pressed for time, but it’s advisable not to replace all your meals with them, according to azcentral.com. It’s also important to consider your diet throughout the day. It doesn’t make much sense to drink a nutrient-rich meal replacement and then consume pizza and chips at other meals.
Meal replacements might calm your hunger until you can have something more substantial, but a liquid meal might leave you reaching for additional snacks as they may not be as fulfilling, according to Women’s Health. If you find yourself still hungry after a meal replacement, consider adding some fiber-rich fruit.
Many meal replacement drinks are high in sugar and preservatives, and some contain sugar alcohol, which could cause gas, as per Women’s Health. While artificial sweeteners might reduce calorie content, they can increase cravings for sweet foods and make fruit taste less appealing.
A quality meal replacement drink should have between 300 to 400 calories and at least 15 grams of protein, which makes Ensure Plus a suitable meal replacement. Any drink with 250 calories or fewer is likely best used as a snack, according to Women’s Health.
