Are you wondering what liquid meal replacements are the best for the elderly? Then, you have to keep reading this guide on The Best Liquid Meal Replacements for the elderly to find out.
Aging is inevitable, so as people age, their energy levels decrease. Moreover, their metabolism also slows down, and all of these things hinder their activity level in their daily life.
Apart from that, one of the most significant things is changing their nutrition needs.
As we age, it is a fact that nutritional deficiencies pop up with a struggle to absorb nutrients.
As a solution, many liquid meal replacements are available for older people to maintain their dietary requirements.
Older people who live in the western world, including the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand, commonly have type 2 diabetes, blood pressure, and other chronic diseases.
In today’s hectic world, skipping meals and poor food choices can inhibit efforts to control diabetes and other diseases. Thus, meal replacement can be the best option for many individuals as part of their diabetes management plan.
Similarly, if there is any other health problem, meal replacements are suitable, depending on your doctor’s advice. Hence, they are convenient, easy to carry, and nutritionally complete.
Before anything, let’s define meal replacements and what we mean by Meal Replacements for the Elderly.
What are Meal Replacements for the Elderly?
Meal replacements are that food or drinks that people can use as an alternative or part of their meals. It is a substitute for solid food with controlled quantities of calories and nutrients.
Meal replacements are available in a variety of forms. They include shakes, meal bars, powders
that one can mix with milk, soup, etc.
However, the best liquid meal replacement for the elderly can replace one or multiple meals each day. They contain all the nutrients that an elderly body needs to function. Thus, it balances macronutrients (protein, carbs, and fat) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals).
All the meal replacements are a quick and easy way to get all the nutrition that an older person wants regularly.
One can use them in place of 1 or 2 meals and combine them with other foods. Some such foods include fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole-grain crackers, fat-free milk, and light yogurt.
For example:
Instead of not eating or skipping breakfast, grab a shake or bar. While eating lunch, you can have a shake plus an apple.
Just carry a shake or bar to eat between meals rather than snacking from the vending machine when you get hungry.
Always choose a healthy meal replacement that is a perfectly acceptable substitution. Hence, the meal substitute must be nutritious, fills an empty stomach, and contains vitamins, minerals, healthy nutrients, etc.
Types of Meal Replacements for Elderly
The most important thing is considering the age factor in seniors; there are different types of meal replacements based on age.
Meal replacement includes breakfast cereals, prepackages of shelf-stable and frozen entrees, beverages, shakes, and meal/snack bars. Thus, all of them will replace a high-calorie meal.
Commercial meal replacements with vitamin, mineral, and protein-fortified foods are also available.
The majority of the products available in the market have a 2,000kcal diet. Similarly, they also come with the nutrient guidelines of international food agencies. These agencies include the European Food and Safety Agency (ESFA), World Health Organization (WHO), US health agencies (FDA, USDA, and HHS), and your local governmental organizations (NHS, TGA in Australia).
The following are some types of meal replacements for the elderly.
1. Powder
The most common way to consume meal replacement is the powder form. It is also the most affordable and healthiest form of complete food.
In this case, after processing the food, it is blended into powder and sold in bags. You can place the powder in a shaker. Then, add water or milk and shake it to consume this meal replacement.
Tip: Here’s our Nutricia Calogen Drink Review.
2. Ready to Drink
Manufacturers prepare ready-to-drink shakes so that older people can consume them.
Most importantly, as one can find the protein and breakfast shake in the supermarket, these ready-to-drink shakes are also readily available. Thus, the user has to open the bottle and drink the meal.
Most of them will contain 330-500kcal per serving. On the contrary, an average supermarket protein drink contains only 200kcal. Ready-to-drink shakes are much more filling.
3. Powder Available in the Bottles
Powder in the bottle is a mixture of the above two types. Hence, the powder is available in the bottle, so the user must add water and milk. Then, they just have to shake and drink the meal.
Moreover, it benefits from the portability of ready-to-drink shakes, but this form has been out of fashion in recent years. The primary reason is the unclear benefits of the standard powder and environmental concerns of bottles.
4. Bars as a Meal Replacement
Bars are pretty similar to protein bars or snack bars. They are a solid form of meal replacement.
The best thing about bars is that they contain balanced nutrition, suitable for the elderly.
Mostly the bars have 200-400kcal and, on average, 20g of protein.
These bars provide healthy fats and carbs. Apart from that, they also contain all the vitamins and minerals.
5. New Types of Meal Replacements
Many brands in the market are developing different types of solid meal replacements.
For instance, such meals include hot and savory complete foods, instant oats, etc.
The primary aim of all the brands is to provide a balanced meal to the elderly in a more attractive way.
|
PROS |
CONS | |
|
Powder |
Cheaper Better storage Lasts longer More variety Customizable |
Need to prepare Not as portable Can be messy Need shaker Need to clean |
|
Ready To Drink |
Portability Convenience Clean Disposable |
More expensive Storage Room More waste Fewer options |
|
Powder Available in the bottle |
Portability Convenience Clean Disposable No need to develop a new product Cheaper than RTD |
Not mix well Storage Room More waste Powder stuck in the bottom |
|
Bars As a Meal Replacement |
Most portable Convenience Easy to consume Discrete |
Less nutritionally balanced More expensive Not for everyday |
|
New Types of Meal Replacement |
Normal food experience More appetizing looks Different Can be eaten hot |
More expensive than normal powder or RTD Often less tasty than the “real deal” Not portable |
The Best Liquid Meal Replacements for Elderly
Let’s look at The Best Liquid Meal Replacements for the elderly.
The following are some of the best liquid meal replacements for the elderly.
1. Protein Works Complete 360 Meal
Complete 360 Meal is one of the tastiest and most affordable meals in this category. Apart from that, it is also the most pleasant meal replacement shake on the market.
It is available in powder form with 400 Kcal/Meal.
Moreover, the brand Protein Works comes in a variety of flavors. For instance, it includes Banana Smooth Sundae, Caramel Latte, Dark Choc Raspberry, Chocolate Digestive, White Choc Peanut Smoothie, Vanilla Crème Crush, etc.
- Vegan Meal.
- Available worldwide.
- It is high in protein.
2. HLTH CODE Complete Meal
HLTH CODE is a keto-friendly meal replacement shake. They contain high amounts of nutrients at the proper ratios.
It includes 400 Kcal/meal and comes in powder form.
Some ingredients include whey protein, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, etc.
- Keto-friendly.
- Low carb.
- Available worldwide.
3. Glucerna SR Shake
The Glucerna SR Shake is a drink suitable for diabetics and the elderly.
The best thing about Glucerna shake is that it has multiple formulations.
It is available as ready-to-drink products in powder forms.
Most importantly, Glucerna helps in maintaining blood sugar levels and weight.
The total caloric count of Glucerna SR shake is 180, with 10 grams of protein in one shake.
- Low in carbohydrates and fats.
- 28 different vitamins and minerals.
- It is available in five different flavors: rich chocolate, homemade vanilla, classic butter pecan, creamy strawberry, and chocolate caramel.
Tip: Don’t forget about benecalorie Nutrition Supplement.
4. Advocare
Advocare is a delicious and portable powder mix. It has a balance of protein, carbohydrate, and fiber. Moreover, it comes with a total of 220 calories.
The best thing about this meal replacement brand is that it has low sugar and fat content that is 12 grams and 3 grams, respectively.
- The meal has an equal proportion of carbohydrates and proteins.
- Available in 14 separate pouches.
- It is available in 4 different flavors.
Tip: Here’s our AdVital Powder Review.
Best on specific health needs and underlying medical conditions, we have further defined the best Liquid Meal Replacement for the elderly as below.
The Best Liquid Meal Replacements with High Protein for the Elderly
The Best Liquid Meal Replacements with High Calories for the Elderly
The Best Liquid Meal Replacements with Multivitamins for Elderly
The Best Liquid Meal Replacements with Low Sugar for Elderly
The Best Liquid Meal Replacements with Low Salt for the Elderly
Conclusion
Building a healthy and nutritious diet helps improve the health of a person.
Liquid meal replacements are the best for older adults who need additional nutritional support. They will get their daily nutrients without the added effort of making daily meals.
Most of the meal replacements are available in many different formulations and flavors. They have all the proteins, calories, vitamins, and minerals to maintain a healthy immune system.
Many meal replacements are available in the market today, so choosing the perfect one is vital. The substance, composition, and preparation method are crucial in determining which one to choose from the above list.
