Beverages, ABBOTT, ENSURE PLUS, ready-to-drink
Whole food · Beverages
Photo: Wikipedia
Ensure Plus is a thick, creamy, ready-to-drink nutritional shake, typically vanilla or chocolate-flavored, designed for supplemental nutrition. Its smooth, milkshake-like texture delivers a dense 141 calories per 100g, with a balanced macronutrient profile emphasizing carbohydrates for energy and protein for muscle support.
Calorie split: 15% protein · 56% carbs · 29% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People appreciate its consistent, mild flavor and smooth texture that makes it easy to consume for those with poor appetite or difficulty eating solid foods. It's a trusted, convenient staple in hospitals, elder care, and for busy individuals needing reliable nutrition.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high carbohydrate content (19.88g per 100g) can cause blood sugar spikes, making it a concern for individuals with diabetes or insulin resistance. To counteract this, pair it with a source of fiber or healthy fat (like a handful of nuts) and practice portion control, sipping slowly rather than drinking it quickly.
Key benefits
- High-calorie density for weight maintenance or gain
- Balanced macronutrients (protein, carbs, fat) in one drink
- Fortified with 24 vitamins and minerals
- Convenient, no-preparation nutrition source
- Lactose-free and gluten-free formulation
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
Ensure Plus was originally developed by Abbott in the 1970s as a tube-feeding formula for hospital patients before becoming a widely available oral supplement.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 69.8 g |
| Energy | 141 kcal |
| Energy | 589 kj |
| Protein | 5.2 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 4.5 g |
| Ash | 0.60 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 19.9 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 8.3 g |
| Starch | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 79.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.8 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 40.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 79.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 175 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 95.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.5 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.20 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.52 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 7.1 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 11.9 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.15 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.17 mg |
| Niacin | 2.0 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.99 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.20 mg |
| Folate, total | 40.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 40.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 67.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 32.4 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.60 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.60 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 149 ug |
| Retinol | 149 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 497 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 1.3 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 1.3 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 40.0 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 1.0 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 7.9 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.57 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.49 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.08 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 1.1 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 1.1 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 2.7 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 2.6 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 2.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Beverages, carbonated, tonic water — USDA does not publish this profile for Beverages.
| Tryptophan | 0.00 g |
| Threonine | 0.00 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.00 g |
| Leucine | 0.00 g |
| Lysine | 0.00 g |
| Methionine | 0.00 g |
| Cystine | 0.00 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.00 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.00 g |
| Valine | 0.00 g |
| Arginine | 0.00 g |
| Histidine | 0.00 g |
| Alanine | 0.00 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.00 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.00 g |
| Glycine | 0.00 g |
| Proline | 0.00 g |
| Serine | 0.00 g |
FAQ
Is Ensure Plus a meal replacement?
It's designed as a nutritional supplement, not a full meal replacement. While it provides balanced nutrition, whole foods offer a wider range of nutrients and fiber.
Can I drink Ensure Plus if I have diabetes?
It contains carbohydrates that can affect blood sugar. Consult a healthcare provider or dietitian, as they may recommend a specialized diabetes formula or advise on portioning.
Is it suitable for people with lactose intolerance?
Yes, Ensure Plus is lactose-free, making it suitable for those with lactose intolerance.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 1.41 kcal/g · 15% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 8.3 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.54 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.