Nutritional drink or shake, ready-to-drink, NFS
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A ready-to-drink nutritional shake is a smooth, liquid meal replacement or supplement, typically with a mild, creamy, and slightly sweet flavor profile. It's designed for quick, convenient nutrition, offering a balanced mix of carbohydrates for energy and protein for satiety. Its texture is usually thin to moderately thick, making it easy to consume on the go.
Calorie split: 14% protein · 64% carbs · 22% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love these shakes for their unparalleled convenience and consistent taste, often turning to them as a reliable, no-fuss nutritional boost. Their mild, non-challenging flavor makes them a versatile base that can be easily customized or enjoyed plain.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The primary downside is the relatively high sugar content (9.7g per 100g), which can cause blood-sugar spikes if consumed alone or in large quantities. To counteract this, pair the shake with a source of fiber (like a handful of nuts or seeds) or protein (like a hard-boiled egg) to slow sugar absorption and improve satiety.
Key benefits
- Provides quick, convenient calories and nutrients.
- Offers a balanced macronutrient profile for energy.
- Supports meal replacement or supplementation needs.
- Easy to consume for those with low appetite.
- Portable and requires no preparation.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The first commercial nutritional shake, Ensure, was introduced in 1973 by Ross Laboratories, originally designed for hospital patients with specific dietary needs.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 76.2 g |
| Energy | 105 kcal |
| Protein | 3.8 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 2.5 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 16.9 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 9.7 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 127 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.9 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 42.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 105 mg |
| Potassium, K | 156 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 84.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.6 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.21 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 7.4 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 12.7 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.16 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.18 mg |
| Niacin | 2.1 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.21 mg |
| Folate, total | 42.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 42.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 72.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 32.4 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.63 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.60 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 158 ug |
| Retinol | 158 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) | 1.4 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 1.3 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 1.1 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 8.4 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.42 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 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.26 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.08 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.84 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.78 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 1.3 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.48 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.05 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 a nutritional shake a meal replacement?
It can be used as a meal replacement, but it's important to check the label. Some are designed as supplements, while others are formulated to provide a full meal's worth of nutrients.
Can I drink this if I'm lactose intolerant?
It depends on the specific product. Many nutritional shakes are made with milk-based proteins, but lactose-free or plant-based versions (using soy, pea, or rice protein) are widely available.
How does the sugar content affect me?
With 9.7g of sugar per 100g, it's relatively sweet. Consuming it on an empty stomach might lead to a quick energy boost followed by a crash. Pairing it with protein or fiber can help stabilize blood sugar levels.
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 1.05 kcal/g · 14% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 9.7 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.