Optimum nutrition promotes good health at all ages. However, many older adults, especially those with poor health, are at risk for malnutrition (Leij-Halfwerk et al. 2019). Older adults may experience a loss of appetite, which can reduce the amount and type of food they eat. This can lead to weight loss and frailty. Loss of appetite is linked to an increased risk of malnutrition in older adults (Kiesswetter et al. 2020). Specifically, older adults may not eat enough foods containing protein. Protein is critical for maintaining muscle, bone, and immune system health and strength (Wolfe et al 2008).
Supplemental nutrition drinks are often used in hospitals and adult care homes to help nourish those who may be eating poorly and have lost weight due to illness or lack of appetite. More recently, nutrition drinks have become widely available for purchase by consumers. Examples of common supplemental nutrition drinks or shakes are Ensure® and Boost®. This publication explores the question that many older adults ask: "Do I need supplemental nutrition drinks?"
What are supplemental nutrition drinks?
Beverages are intended to satisfy thirst, while nutrition drinks are meant to increase or supplement calories and nutrients. Supplemental nutrition drinks contain carbohydrates, fats, protein, and added vitamins and minerals. Some may also contain added fiber. Supplemental drinks are designed to provide extra calories, protein, and other nutrients that are lacking when food intake is inadequate.
Supplemental nutrition drinks are promoted as a meal replacement or to increase overall calorie and nutrient intake. Supplemental nutrition drinks may be a beneficial addition to the diet of individuals with poor appetite. Because regular meals often have more calories than one serving of a supplemental nutrition drink, it is best to use the drink between meals rather than as a meal replacement. Replacing one or more regular meals with a supplemental nutrition drink may not provide adequate calories to meet daily needs. While nutrition drinks are recommended to improve an inadequate diet, some consumers choose these drinks in addition to an already adequate diet. This may lead to consuming more calories than needed, resulting in unwanted weight gain.
Types of Supplemental Nutrition Drinks
There are a variety of supplemental nutrition drinks available to consumers. Nutrition drink formulations may be high in calories and protein or lower in carbohydrates. For example, there are nutrition drinks formulated for people with diabetes. These drinks contain less carbohydrates than other nutrition drinks and may contain a type of carbohydrate that helps manage blood glucose levels by preventing glucose spikes. Some supplemental nutrition drinks are high in protein and are recommended for maintaining and rebuilding muscle after weight loss. Nutrition drinks high in calories are intended to prevent weight loss or promote weight gain in underweight individuals.
While supplemental nutrition drinks are fortified to help meet recommended intakes of vitamins and minerals, they may not fulfill all your dietary needs. Many whole foods also contain these same nutrients and may have other benefits, such as high fiber content. Fiber is important for proper gastrointestinal function and general wellness but is relatively low or missing in most supplemental drinks.
One disadvantage of many supplemental nutrition drinks is their sugar content. Sugar is added by the manufacturers to improve taste. However, some nutrition drinks contain as much as 4 teaspoons of sugar in a 1 cup serving (see Table 1). The current Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend limiting added sugars to promote good health (USDHHS and USDA 2020). Ingredients on food labels are listed in descending order by weight, and sugar is often one of the first ingredients listed on supplemental nutrition drink labels.
Table 1 lists some common supplemental nutrition drinks and beverages and their respective calorie, fat, protein, carbohydrate, and sugar contents. Protein and calorie contents of supplemental drinks are not much different from flavored cow's milk. However, the content of many of the vitamins and minerals may be higher in supplemental drinks compared to milk as they are added. Most supplemental drinks do not contain lactose, a naturally occurring sugar present in milk, making them suitable for those with lactose intolerance. However, low lactose milk is also available.
Summary
Supplemental drinks are best used to help older adults with inadequate food intake and weight loss meet their daily nutritional needs by providing additional calories and nutrients . It is important to check with your health care professional before making dietary changes. A registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) can help you determine if you are meeting all your daily nutrient needs through food and if a supplemental drink is right for you.
References
Kiesswetter, E., Colombo, M., Meisinger, C., Peters, A., Thorand, B., Holle, R., Volkert, D. 2020. "Malnutrition and related risk factors in older adults from different health-care settings: An enable study." Public Health Nutr 23(3): 446-456. doi:10.1017/S1368980019002271
Leij-Halfwerk, S., Verwijs, M. H., van Houdt, S., Borkent, J. W., Guaitoli, P. R., Pelgrim, T., & the MaNuEL Consortium. 2019. "Prevalence of protein-energy malnutrition risk in European older adults in community, residential and hospital settings, according to 22 malnutrition screening tools validated for use in adults ≥ 65 years: a systematic review and meta-analysis." Maturitas 126: 80-89.
USDA and USDHHS. 2020. "Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025." 9th Edition. Available at: https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/resources/2020-2025-dietary-guidelines-online-materials.
Wolfe, R. R., S. L. Miller, and K. B. Miller. 2008. "Optimal protein intake in the elderly." Clin Nutr 27(5): 675‒84. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2008.06.008
