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Is It Safe For Your Kid To Drink Ensure?

Ensure is usually marketed as a product for adults. It is the brand name for a dietary supplement powder manufactured by the healthcare company Abbott . In this post, we tell you whether or not you may use Ensure for kids and suggest some alternative food supplements available. This is not a promotional post for Ensure or its sister brands. It is for informational purposes only and not a replacement for a doctor’s advice.

Is Ensure Good For Children?

Ensure contains 24 vitamins and minerals, eight grams of high-quality protein, and 240 calories in a serving . But the assortment and quantity of nutrients may not be ideal for children. Pediasure by Abbott is better formulated to meet children’s nutritional requirements.

There could be instances where Ensure may be helpful, like when the child is severely malnourished. Some children with chronic illnesses such as cystic fibrosis cannot get enough calories to grow from a regular diet. Their medical team may prescribe a supplement to make sure they’re getting enough calories to grow.  But do not give Ensure without seeking medical advice. For normal usage, you may consider Pediasure for children.

What Age Is Safe To Introduce Ensure To Children?

Ensure is marketed as a nutritional supplement for adults. It doesn’t specify any age or related guidelines about when to start consuming it.

Ensure Vis-a-vis Pediasure

Although the same company manufacturers Ensure and Pediasure, their formulations are different. The following are some of their features as claimed by the manufacturer .

• Ensure is formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of adults while Pediasure is made for children up to the age of 13 years.

• Ensure helps adults receive adequate nutrients for muscle gain, healthy weight, and stay energetic. Pediasure is a supplement for children who require additional nourishment to gain the height and weight appropriate for their age.

• The manufacturer claims Ensure to have vital nutrients, such as high-quality protein, folic acid, thiamin, vitamin B12, copper sulfate, and potassium chloride. Pediasure claims to contain vitamins, minerals, DHA-omega 3, and high-quality protein.

• Both brands are gluten-free, kosher, and suitable for lactose intolerant consumers (includes a small amount of lactose that cannot be a cause for serious concern).

Possible Side Effects Of Ensure

The side effects of Ensure are anecdotal with no scientific backing. These side effects are also reported among adults and not children. The following are the purported side effects of Ensure:

• Excessive consumption of Ensure was found to lead to constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, or nausea. Some might experience more weight gain than desired since the supplement also contains added sugar.

• Ensure is not suitable for those with galactosemia, a condition where the body is unable to digest the sugar named galactose. Ensure could cause abdominal discomfort among those with galactosemia.

Alternatives To Ensure

Most children do not need a nutritional supplement. They can get all their nutritional needs from a well-balanced diet that includes proteins, carbohydrates (preferably from fruit, vegetables and whole grains) and healthy fats (such as olive oil), vitamins, and other essential nutrients .

• Milk and other dairy products may be included in the child’s meal

• Add fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins A and C

• Whole grain bread can provide fiber

• Meat, poultry, or fish can provide protein and micronutrients

It is essential to consult a doctor if the child has a nutrient deficiency or problems in gaining weight or height.

Ensure for kids is not recommended since it has nutritional formulations required for adults. The requirement for vitamins and minerals is different in adults and children. You may only insure kids if the pediatrician suggests it due to any reason. They can benefit from supplement powder such as pediasure that is specially formulated to meet the essential nutrient needs of children. You may seek a doctor’s advice before giving any supplements to children. Usually, a well-balanced diet can provide children with needed nutrients.