Ensure
Flavor:
Ensure® Plus Butter Pecan Nutrition Shake
Ingredients:
Water, Corn Maltodextrin, Sugar, Milk Protein Concentrate, Blend of Vegetable Oils (Canola, Corn), Soy Protein Isolate. Less than 0.5% of: Vitamins & Minerals (Potassium Citrate, Magnesium Phosphate, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Ascorbic Acid, Calcium Carbonate, Ferrous Sulfate, dl-Alpha-Tocopheryl Acetate, Calcium Phosphate, Zinc Sulfate, Niacinamide, Calcium Pantothenate, Manganese Sulfate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Hydrochloride, Copper Sulfate, Riboflavin, Vitamin A Palmitate, Folic Acid, Potassium Iodide, Chromium Chloride, Sodium Selenate, Sodium Molybdate, Phylloquinone, Vitamin D3, Biotin, Vitamin B12), Nonfat Milk, Natural & Artificial Flavors, Soy Lecithin, Cellulose Gel, Cellulose Gum, Salt, and Carrageenan.
Rating: We Avoid
- 1 out of 5
Ingredient Score:
Rated at 1/5 green leaves, the Ensure® Plus Butter Pecan Nutrition Shake falls significantly short of meeting the criteria for cleaner food options. This evaluation stems from the product’s composition and manufacturing choices.
The shake is not organic, and it does not use non-GMO ingredients. These factors alone detract from its standing as a healthful choice. The presence of added sugars raises concerns regarding its nutritional profile, especially given the widespread push for diets lower in sugar.
Further scrutiny reveals the inclusion of potentially harmful additives such as flavors and soy lecithin, alongside ingredients like sodium citrate and pyridoxine hydrochloride, which also contribute negatively to the product’s score. The use of known harmful additives is a critical factor. Artificial flavors and carrageenan have been flagged for their potential adverse health effects. Similarly, corn maltodextrin, a processed thickener and filler, is another ingredient that has been questioned for its health impact.
Additionally, the product contains oils like canola and unspecified vegetable oils which are often processed and may not align with cleaner eating principles. The presence of palm oil is not explicitly stated, so it is unclear why points were deducted for this ingredient.
The inclusion of artificial flavors is a significant drawback, considering the increasing consumer demand for natural ingredients and transparency in food labeling.
The assessment leads to the recommendation to avoid the Ensure® Plus Butter Pecan Nutrition Shake due to the various concerns raised by its ingredients. It does not align with the goal of offering cleaner, healthier food options. Consumers seeking nutrition shakes are advised to look for products with organic certification, non-GMO ingredients, natural flavors, and without the additives and sugars that weigh down the Ensure® Plus Butter Pecan Nutrition Shake’s rating.
Certifications:
None
Product formulations and certifications may change. For current nutrition facts and ingredient
line information, check product packaging.
Categories:
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How We Rate
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