Why Ensure, Boost, and Enterex are so popular? Are three of them instrumental in boosting your health? Is Boost better than Ensure and Enterex? Is Boost Better than Ensure for Diabetics? Is Boost Better than Enterex for Diabetics?
You can find the answers to all those questions here in this article. But, before moving further, you must understand diabetes and primarily type 2 diabetes. Similarly, you also need to figure out why these nutritional drinks are essential for people with diabetes.
So, let’s start the journey with a bit of background on diabetes…
Diabetes is a metabolic disease that can cause high blood sugar. The other name for high blood sugar is high blood glucose.
Glucose is the primary energy source and comes from the food we eat. The pancreas has the insulin hormone, which helps glucose from food get into the body’s cells.
Sometimes the body fails to make enough Insulin. Thus, glucose stays in the blood and does not reach the cells.
Over time, if there is too much glucose in the blood, it can cause health problems. Although diabetes is a chronic illness with ‘no cure’, you can take steps to manage your diabetes and stay healthy.
There are two important types of diabetes type 1 and type 2.
Many people live in the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand who have diabetes. However, if we talk about type 2 diabetes specifically, it is rising in all these countries.
Approximately 1 million people in Australia alone have diabetes, and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes increases with age.
It is higher in men than women. One study shows that up to 3 million Australians over the age of 25 will suffer from diabetes by 2025.
We all know that following a healthy diet for diabetes is a challenge. Hence, to meet that purpose, many supplements or shakes that are best for diabetics are on the market. Here, we will discuss the three most popular nutritional brands: Ensure, Boost, and Enterex.
Before jumping into the three brands, let’s look at the characteristics of a good supplement or shake for people with diabetes…
Supplements or Shakes Best for Diabetes Nutrition
If you have type 2 diabetes, you have to make dietary changes and exercise as obesity becomes common in this illness. For this purpose, there are some nutritional shakes available in the market packed with vitamins and minerals.
They come as a meal or snack replacements suitable for anyone who has diabetes. Similarly, they are also a good choice for those who want to meet their daily nutritional needs.
Whether you are sick, have any dietary restrictions, or have a poor appetite, those supplement drinks can assist in meeting micronutrient goals.
The three most popular brands, Ensure, Boost, and Enterex, are 3 nutritional supplements that come with a wide variety of ready-to-drink shakes. Hence, they help adults to meet their dietary needs.
These shakes may help you increase your protein intake, manage your blood sugar level, gain weight, etc. Apart from that, they will be helpful for people who feel difficulty in eating solid foods.
However, there are chances that these shakes can cause a series of mild to severe side effects in people with diabetes. Thus, you should consult your healthcare provider
before adding them to your diet.
Now let’s discuss Ensure, Boost, and Enterex with their benefits, specific range, and which ones are better than the other for diabetes.
Ensure and Ensure Range
Abbott Nutrition, in 1973 launched its first ready-to-drink shake that is Ensure. However, eventually Ensure became the name of all the nutritional supplement lines.
Today, Ensure has ten different shakes available on the market, and all are gluten-free.
Ensure is an energy-giving drink, a nutritious meal supplement, and a dietary supplement. It can supplement skipped meals and unhealthy meal choices.
Apart from that, some people have variable gastrointestinal problems, so Ensure can also increase solid food.
The taste of Ensure is quite enjoyable as it contains a meager amount of sugar.
There are many flavors one can purchase that are available in the market, and all of them do not have any unpleasant aftertaste.
In short, we can say that is it a very nutritious and enjoyable product. Most importantly, it is best for persons who desire to maintain a healthy state because it contains rich ingredients.
The best thing about Ensure is that it is low in calories, and rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Some of its other content includes the following…
- Water
- Corn
- Canola oil
- Milk protein concentrate
- Soil protein,
- Sugar, etc.
If we talk about Ensure shakes, their division into different categories is as below.
1. Complete and Balanced Nutrition
The brand Ensure in this category includes Ensure Original and Ensure Plus. Thus, all of them help a person to maintain or gain weight.
2. Advanced Nutrition
Ensure Enlive comes in the best category to support bones, muscle, and heart. Additionally, it is also best for immune and digestive health.
3. Targeted Nutrition
Many shakes are available in this category, including Ensure Max Protein, Ensure High Protein, and Ensure Plant-Based Protein.
Aside from a low-calorie shake that is Ensure Lite, all of the products in this category help build muscles.
4. Specialty Therapeutic Nutrition
It is a biological fact that before and after any surgery, you need supplements or drinks that can boost your energy and health. Therefore, this category of Ensure brand includes Ensure Surgery, Ensure Pre-Surgery, and Ensure Compact. Thus, they all will support your health in preparation to surgery as well as during the recovery.
Ensure Products Range
There are many Ensure products available in the market, but below are some of them with their protein, calories, vitamins, and minerals.
1. Ensure Original
It is entirely balanced nutrition for everyday health.
- Protein: 9 grams
- Calories: 220
- Vitamins and Minerals: 27
2. Ensure Plus
Each bottle of Ensure Plus provides balanced nutrition to help maintain a healthy weight.
- Protein: 16 grams
- Calories: 350
- Vitamins and Minerals: 27
3. Ensure Complete
As the name suggests, it gives complete nutrition and supports immune, muscle, heart, digestive, and bone health.
- Protein: 30 grams
- Calories: 350
- Vitamins and Minerals: 25
4. Ensure High Protein
The bottle of Ensure High Protein provides nutrition that helps you stay active throughout the day.
- Protein: 16 grams
- Calories: 160
- Vitamins and Minerals: 27
5. Ensure Compact
Many people feel difficulty drinking a whole shake. Therefore, Ensure Compact is best for them as it is a more convenient nutrition option.
- Protein: 9 grams
- Calories: 220
- Vitamins and Minerals: 25
Boost and Boost Range
One of Nestle’s most popular brands is Boost.
Boost is a nutritional supplement that helps people meet their dietary requirements after turning 50.
Boost is relatively high in proteins. It also provides extra calories, everyday nutrition, glucose control, etc. All of their products are available in powder form or a ready-to-drink shake.
These days, Boost comes with a broad portfolio of products. Hence, it includes 12 drinks. All of these drinks satisfy multiple needs. Thus, all of the ready-to-drink shakes and their categorization are as follows.
1. Diabetes
In this category, two products help avoid blood sugar spikes. Hence, the first one is Boost Glucose Control, and the second one is Boost Glucose Control High Protein.
Thus, both are good for people with diabetes.
2. High in Protein
Boost is a high in protein products including Boost High Protein and Boost Max Nutritional Shake in this category. Hence, both of them help to maintain muscle mass.
3. High in Calorie
Boost Plus is a shake that has the most calories per serving. It is also a part of the brand’s oncology nutrition division.
Thus, that is the best supplement for people with cancer.
4. Specialized Nutrition
One of the most notable categories targets nutrition to meet the specific needs of men, women, and people aged 50 and older. However, this category comprises Boost Mobility, Boost Original, Boost Men, Boost Women, etc.
Boost Product Range
All of the Boost products provide balanced nutrition. These energy drinks keep you active throughout the day. However, it is an excellent meal in itself.
There are many Boost products, but the key are mentioned below with their protein, calories, vitamins, minerals, etc.
1. Boost Original Drink
It gives extra energy that keeps you going throughout the day.
- Protein: 10 grams
- Calories: 240
- Vitamins and Minerals: 27
2. Boost Plus Drink
This drink is best for weight gain.
- Protein: 14 grams
- Calories: 360
- Vitamins and Minerals: 26
3. Boost High Protein Drink
The bottle of the Boost brand will increase your protein intake.
- Protein: 20 grams
- Calories: 250
- Vitamins and Minerals: 27
4. Boost Glucose Control
One of the best drinks for people with diabetes.
- Protein: 16 grams
- Calories: 190
- Vitamins and Minerals: 25
5. Kid Essentials
As you can see by the name, this drink is suitable for kids, and it is a complete nutrition drink.
- Protein: 7 grams
- Calories: 1.0
- Vitamins and Minerals: 25
Enterex and Enterex Range
Enterex is one of the best for people with diabetes. People can take this as a meal replacement or nutritional supplement.
There is no added sugar in Enterex, and it is the only dietary supplement in the range for people with diabetes. Apart from that, it has no fructose and no corn syrup.
Moreover, there is also a presence of Omega 3 contributes to cardiovascular health and fiber. It is best to slow the absorption of carbohydrates and helps control blood sugar.
Another essential thing about Enterex is that it meets the American Diabetes Association and American Heart Association (AHA) Recommendations.
Besides this, this drink has a low glycemic index. Additionally, Enterex is also lactose and gluten-free.
Enterex Product Range
1. Enterex Diabetic
The most popular supplement Enterex Diabetic, comes in two delicious flavors.
The best thing about Enterex drink is that it is available with high-quality protein, vitamins, minerals, and slow-digesting carbohydrates.
Perfect as a tasty snack or an occasional meal replacement antioxidant, it includes Vitamins A, C, and E.
Similarly, it also contains zinc, selenium, and vitamin D, which help support the immune response.
- Protein: 12 grams
- Calories: 22
- Vitamins and Minerals: 25
2. Enterex Diabetic Powder
It is a complete and nutritionally balanced beverage for people with diabetes with no added sugar.
- Protein: 12 grams
- Calories: 240
- Vitamins and Minerals: 25
3. Enterex PLUS
It is one of the excellent nutritionally complete and balanced shakes. It has high proteins and calories. Thus, it helps to achieve a healthy weight.
- Protein: 13 grams
- Calories: 350
- Vitamins and Minerals: 28
4. Enterex KIDZ ULTRA
Kids Ultra is a nutritional powder shake for children that contains probiotics and prebiotics (FOS).
- Protein: 7 grams
- Calories: 350
- Vitamins and Minerals: 28
5. Enterex TOTAL
This drink is a nutritional shake that helps maintain energy, strength, and vitality.
- Protein: 9 grams
- Calories: 220
- Vitamins and Minerals: 26
Is Ensure Better Than Boost For Diabetics?
Ensure and Boost are nutritional supplements that come with a wide range of products. They come in multiple flavors and forms.
For instance, they include puddings, powders, snacks, ready-to-drink shakes, etc. Still, you may wonder which one is better or healthier than the other. However, both of them help you achieve the same goals.
The following table compares the Ensure and Boost products with the nutritional values for an 8-ounce (236-mL) serving. It can also help you decide which one is better for you to drink.
Calories |
Carbs |
Sugar |
Fiber |
Protein |
Fat | |
Ensure Original |
220 |
33 |
15 |
1 |
9 |
6 |
Boost Original |
240 |
41 |
20 |
1 |
10 |
4 |
Ensure Plus |
350 |
51 |
22 |
1 |
13 |
11 |
Boost Plus |
360 |
45 |
24 |
1 |
14 |
14 |
Ensure High Protein |
160 |
19 |
4 |
1 |
16 |
2 |
Boost High Protein |
240 |
28 |
15 |
0 |
20 |
6 |
Ensure Max Protein |
150 |
6 |
1 |
2 |
30 |
1.5 |
Boost Max |
160 |
6 |
1 |
0 |
30 |
2 |
From the above-given table, you can see that all products serve the same purpose as both give nutrition. However, some shakes are better than others, but it depends on the specific goal in mind that you want to achieve.
For example, if you’re going to increase your protein intake, then Ensure Max Protein or Boost Max may be your best choice. Similarly, Plus options and Ensures Enlive shake are good if your purpose is to gain weight.
Now for diabetes, there are some limitations. Therefore, for diabetic people, the most suitable choice is to go with the Boost brand. Hence, this is because Boost offers two ready-to-drink shakes: Boost Glucose Control and Boost Glucose Control High Protein.
On the contrary, the brand Ensure doesn’t have shakes for people with diabetes. However, Abbott Nutrition came up with an additional product line called Glucerna for those who need to manage their blood sugar levels.
The best thing is to consult your healthcare provider before adding any brands to your diet.
Is Ensure Better Than Enterex For Diabetics?
Ensure, and Enterex both are nutritious shakes packed with vitamins and minerals. Whether you have dietary restrictions, are sick, or have a poor appetite, both assist in meeting micronutrient goals.
Ensure a healthy meal replacement or supplement can help you stay healthy, active, and energetic.
On the other hand, Enterex is best for persons with diabetes. However, it can also be a meal replacement or nutritional supplement.
Below is a table that compares both brands with 8oz of each shake.
Ensure Enterex |
Calories 220 240 |
Carbohydrates (g) 32 27 |
Sugars (g) 15 <1 |
Protein (g) 9 12 |
Fats (g) 6 9 |
Dietary Fiber (g) <1 13 |
The above table shows that Enterex has more calories than Ensure.
Secondly, it has more protein and fiber than Ensure with just under 1 gram of sugar as it has high fiber, so Enterex can keep you feeling full longer.
Is Boost better Than Enterex For Diabetics?
Diabetes is a chronic condition that causes blood sugar levels to rise. There are many types of diabetes, but type 2 is the most common. Along with taking medications and making lifestyle changes, you can also take shakes. Thus, these shakes as a meal replacement may fill you up quickly.
If you take Boost drinks, then they are suitable for diabetic people. It is also gluten-free. Moreover, it has a great tasting with a nutritionally complete formula. However, Boost is much better for those people who have dietary concerns.
Enterex diabetic drinks contain a balance of protein, fats, and a unique blend of slow-digesting carbohydrates. Likewise, it comes with a low glycemic index to help manage blood glucose levels. Therefore, it can simply be a part of a diabetes management plan.
One study shows that Enterex diabetic can decrease glucose and insulin concentrations at 120 minutes without any modification in triglyceride levels in healthy individuals.
Boost and Enterex are suitable for people with diabetes, but now it depends on their choice. Hence, they must check the nutritional value of both products before buying.
In addition, it is best if you consult with your dietitian before adding them to your diet.
Conclusion
Diabetes is an illness with no cure, and taking a healthy diet can sometimes become a challenge. Ensure, Boost, and Enterex are all three nutritional supplement brands with a wide variety of ready-to-drink shakes. Thus, they will help people to reach their dietary needs.
Boost and Enterex are both excellent for people with diabetes.
On the contrary, Ensure does not provide shakes for diabetic people, but their product line of Ensure Glucerna is for those with the needs of people with diabetes in mind.
Nevertheless, it is better to consult your health care provider before adding any products to your diet.