Are These Really Diabetes Meal Replacements?

People with diabetes need to eat throughout the day and avoid skipping meals to minimize blood sugar fluctuations. Diabetic meal replacements can be a tempting way to grab a meal on-the-go. Consider whether Boost, Ensure and Glucerna are really diabetes meal replacement options.

• When you have diabetes, it is important to eat on a schedule. It can cause blood sugar spikes or dangerous falls if you skip a meal or snack. It is also essential to read food labels and be aware of nutritional content. People with diabetes are advised to monitor their intake of carbohydrates, sugar and salt as well as consider proper portion sizes. It is also important to get the needed vitamins and minerals to gain control over your blood glucose levels. Liquid meal replacements, such as Boost, Ensure and Glucerna, have become a popular way for people with diabetes to fit meals into their hectic schedules. Consider how each of these stacks up as meal replacements.
• Boost Glucose Control is specially made to meet the meal replacement needs of people with diabetes. Boost Glucose Control has 190 calories in an 8-ounce serving. It also contains 16 grams of carbohydrates, 16 grams of protein and 4 grams of sugar with 7 grams of fat, which includes 1 gram of saturated fat. This meal replacement has the least calories, sugar and carbohydrates and the highest amount of protein. As a result, this might be an option for people with diabetes who are looking to lose weight. Always discuss meal replacement with your doctor first to make sure it is safe.
• Ensure and Ensure Plus were developed to be meal replacements. Originally, they were created for people with diabetes who needed to follow a liquid diet for medical reasons. Ensure Plus has more calories and also has more nutrients. An 8-ounce serving of Ensure has about 220 calories, 9 grams of protein, 33 grams of carbohydrates and 15 grams of sugar with 6 grams of fat and 1 gram of saturated fat. Always read the calorie count on the products to determine whether the beverage is a meal replacement or snack. For example, an 8-ounce serving of Ensure has enough calories to be a breakfast or lunch.
• Glucerna is made specifically for people with diabetes and has a special carbohydrate that takes longer for your body to digest. This means sugar is released more slowly into your bloodstream. Glucerna Advance has 27 grams of carbohydrates, 6 grams of sugar, 10 grams of protein and 7 grams of fat, which include 1 gram of saturated fat. Because the carbohydrates are released slowly, it could help you avoid blood sugar fluctuations. Glucerna also is available in a snack size.
• Accessibility is a major advantage of meal replacement beverages. They can be consumed in less than five minutes. Usually they are readily available at local grocery stores and pharmacies. They can be served chilled or right from the container at room temperature, depending on your likes. All varieties come in an array of popular flavors, ranging from traditional vanilla and chocolate to butter pecan and strawberry. Boost, Ensure and Glucerna all contain about 25 percent of your daily requirements of vitamins and minerals.
• It is important to use a meal replacement under medical supervision and monitor your blood sugar regularly. Talk to your doctor about meal replacements and whether they fit into your diet plan, daily routine and blood sugar management plan. Meal replacements are meant to be used occasionally, rather than as a regular part of your daily diet. There is no substitute for a well-balanced meal or snack. Actual food should always be your main source of nutrition. Consider other fast options on-the-go, such as a sandwich wrap, fresh fruit, 100-calorie snack bars and sugar-free desserts.

Consult with your doctor about meal replacement and whether it is a good option for weight loss or including nutrition in your hectic schedule. Compare the labels and keep in mind your diabetes self-management plan when you choose a meal replacement. When your options are limited, meal replacements can help you avoid harmful blood sugar spikes.