Nutritional drink or shake, ready-to-drink (Ensure Plus)
Common food
Ensure Plus is a smooth, ready-to-drink nutritional shake designed as a convenient, calorie-dense meal supplement or snack. It has a thick, creamy, milkshake-like texture and typically comes in flavors like vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. Nutritionally, it packs 141 calories and 5.16g of protein per 100g, making it a quick source of energy and macronutrients.
Calorie split: 15% protein · 56% carbs · 29% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its reliable, consistent taste and the sheer convenience of having a nutritionally balanced drink ready to grab. Its familiarity and wide availability make it a trusted staple for many managing dietary needs.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sugar content (8.33g per 100g) can cause blood-sugar spikes, making it less ideal for diabetics without careful portion control. It also contains common allergens like milk and soy, and some may find the taste overly sweet or artificial. To counteract sugar spikes, pair it with a source of fiber or healthy fat (like a handful of nuts) and stick to the recommended serving size.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick, convenient source of calories and protein
- Designed for easy digestion and nutrient absorption
- Often used to support weight management or recovery
- Fortified with 24 vitamins and minerals
- Shelf-stable and requires no refrigeration before opening
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
Ensure Plus was originally developed in the 1970s by Ross Laboratories (now Abbott) for hospital patients who needed nutritional support but couldn't eat solid food.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 69.8 g |
| Energy | 141 kcal |
| Protein | 5.2 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 4.5 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 19.9 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 8.3 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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) | 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 |
FAQ
Is Ensure Plus a meal replacement?
It can be used as a meal replacement or supplement, but it's not designed to replace all meals long-term without medical advice. It's best used to supplement a varied diet.
Can I drink Ensure Plus if I'm lactose intolerant?
Most Ensure Plus products contain milk derivatives and may not be suitable for severe lactose intolerance. Check the label for lactose-free versions or consult a doctor.
How does Ensure Plus differ from regular Ensure?
Ensure Plus is a higher-calorie, higher-carbohydrate formula designed for people who need more energy, while regular Ensure has a lower calorie density.
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.