Key Takeaways
- Glucerna and Boost Glucose Control are specifically formulated for people with diabetes.
- Glucerna and Boost Glucose Control have slow-release carbs that help to prevent blood sugar spikes.
- Ensure and Ensure Plus are not designed for people with diabetes.
If you’re stuck choosing between Boost vs Ensure vs Glucerna, you’re in the right place! We’re highlighting all four popular meal replacement drinks so you can make an informed decision.
It’s important to note that for folks who have diabetes, the differences between Glucerna vs Boost Glucose Control will be more relevant, as Ensure and Ensure Plus are not specifically formulated to be meal replacements for diabetics.
Compared to Glucerna and Boost Glucose Control, Ensure products have significantly higher levels of carbs and sugar. They’re comparable to fruit juices and should be treated similarly.
With that important acknowledgment out of the way, here’s everything you need to know about Boost vs Ensure vs Glucerna.
The Importance of Managing Glucose Levels
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.
When you have diabetes, it is important to eat on a schedule. Skipping a meal or snack can cause blood sugar spikes or dangerous falls.
It’s 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’s also important to get the needed vitamins and minerals to gain control over your blood glucose levels.
Why Drink Meal Replacements?
Whether you choose Boost vs Ensure vs Glucerna, accessibility is a major advantage of meal replacement beverages. Liquid meal replacements have become a popular way for people with diabetes to fit meals into their hectic schedules. They can be consumed in less than five minutes, and they’re usually readily available at local grocery stores and pharmacies, as well as here at ADW Diabetes!
When comparing Glucerna vs Boost Glucose Control vs Ensure, you have plenty of options. All varieties come in an array of popular flavors, ranging from traditional vanilla and chocolate to butter pecan and strawberry. They can be served chilled or right from the container at room temperature, depending on your preference.
When choosing between Boost vs Ensure vs Glucerna, it’s worth noting that all of them contain about 25% of your daily vitamin and mineral requirements. However, only Boost and Glucerna are purpose-designed to be meal replacements for diabetics.
Here’s a quick look at each beverage and what they bring to the table.
Glucerna
Produced by Abbott Nutrition, Glucerna is formulated specifically for people with diabetes and has special slow-release carbohydrates that take longer for your body to digest. This means sugar is released more slowly into your bloodstream, helping you to avoid blood sugar spikes.
Glucerna also has an excellent balance of macronutrients, including proteins, healthy fats, and fiber that help to satiate your appetite.
When comparing Boost vs Ensure vs Glucerna, Glucerna is a standout option for people with diabetes, mainly due to the slow-release carbs that provide lasting energy without causing major spikes.
Boost Glucose Control
Produced by Nestlé Health Science, Boost Glucose Control is also specially made to meet the meal replacement needs of people with diabetes. Like Glucerna, Boost is formulated with a proprietary carb blend that aids with blood glucose management.
This meal replacement has the fewest calories, sugar, and carbohydrates and the highest amount of protein. As a result, Boost can be an ideal option for people with diabetes who are looking to lose weight.
Whether you choose Glucerna vs Boost Glucose Control, talk to a health care professional first to make sure they’re a safe addition to your diet.
Ensure and Ensure Plus
When comparing Boost vs Ensure vs Glucerna, remember that only Boost and Glucerna are specifically meant to be a meal replacement for diabetics. If you prefer Ensure products, it’s very important to account for the higher levels of carbs and sugar.
Produced by the same company as Glucerna (Abbott Nutrition), Ensure and Ensure Plus were developed for people who needed to follow a liquid diet for medical reasons.
Their main purpose is to provide nutritional support for people who need to gain or maintain weight. One 8-ounce serving typically has around the same number of calories as a breakfast or lunch. Ensure Plus has more calories and nutrients than standard Ensure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can diabetics drink protein shakes?
Yes, but it’s important to compare the ingredients in Boost vs Ensure vs Glucerna (or other brands). Protein shakes can be a convenient way to satiate your appetite, especially on the go. However, ingredients vary widely among brands and products, so always check the label.
How many shakes can you have in one day?
Consult with a health care professional before making significant changes to your established diet. On average, people with diabetes can have one or two Glucerna or Boost shakes daily, but that figure can vary widely depending on many factors, such as your diet, exercise, and lifestyle.
Ensure has approximately the same amount of sugar and carbs as the equivalent amount of orange or apple juice. So, when choosing between Boost vs Ensure vs Glucerna, remember to treat them differently. The amount of Ensure you can drink safely will be lower than meal replacements for diabetics (like Glucerna and Boost).
Do these shakes increase blood sugar?
Yes, even when comparing Glucerna vs Boost Glucose Control, you’ll find that these meal replacement shakes do still increase blood sugar, just like any other food or drink. However, the impact isn’t as severe as foods and drinks that have higher levels of sugar and carbs.
Are Glucerna and Boost good for low blood sugar?
It’s very important to note that these meal replacements are designed to provide slow-release carbs for immediate satiety and sustainable energy, NOT to rapidly raise blood glucose levels to prevent hypoglycemia. Whether you drink Boost vs Ensure vs Glucerna, remember that the carbs aren’t released quickly enough to rapidly raise blood sugar levels when needed.
Talk to a Health Care Professional
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. They’re not a substitute for a well-balanced meal or snack. Actual food should always be your main source of nutrition.
As you weigh the pros and cons of Boost vs Ensure vs Glucerna, don’t overlook other fast options on the go, such as a sandwich wrap, fresh fruits and vegetables, 100-calorie snack bars, and sugar-free desserts. If you must drink meal replacements, choose between Glucerna vs Boost Glucose Control.
Consult with a health care professional about meal replacements for diabetics and whether they’re a good option for weight loss or for including nutrition in your hectic schedule. Compare the labels, and keep your diabetes self-management plan in mind.
When your options are limited, meal replacements can help you avoid harmful blood sugar spikes, but they shouldn’t be a core component in a wholesome diet.
Save on Health and Wellness Products
We hope this guide is helpful as you weigh the benefits and drawbacks of Boost vs Ensure vs Glucerna. We carry these dietary supplements, as well as vitamins and supplements, so you can get all of your health and wellness supplies from one convenient place, and at a great price.
While you’re here, stock up on discount diabetic supplies. Whether you need the least expensive glucose test strips, a new diabetic pen, or affordable insulin supplies, you can count on ADW Diabetes for the best deals on high-quality diabetic supplies from trusted medical brands. Shop now!
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