Hey there. Welcome to the space where I’ll discuss the best nutritional drinks for seniors and explain why it’s a little more tailored than you might think.
I worked in the dementia wing of a residential care home for over a year. My role was to ensure a comfortable, homely atmosphere at all times for all residents suffering from various branches of dementia. As a result, I have plenty of experience gently coaxing a confused, elderly friend to take their nutritional drink supplement.
As always, finding the ‘best’ nutritional drink for you or someone you care for is more complex than the one everyone recommends. You should tailor it to diet, exercise, health requirements, general needs, and, of course, taste preferences! And many others besides.
You don’t usually need a doctor’s permission to supplement additional nutrition. However, it’s best to ask, as the doctor may recommend or advise against certain products based on the individual’s health history.
So, let’s explore the best nutritional drink options available to seniors on the North American market and consider which might be ‘best’ for you.
TL;DR
My top recommendation is Kate Farms Nutrition Shake. It’s loaded with everything you could possibly need and brilliant for a healthy way to maintain weight, immunity, brain activity, bodily functions, and gut health.
What to Know About Nutritional Drinks for Seniors
It’s all very well to say that the elderly need lots of protein (emerging research suggests that could be true) and carbohydrates to encourage weight retention. It’s also great to suggest heavily fortified milk and condemn artificial sweeteners for the invasive chemicals that they (probably) are.
Wonderful.
But these are sweeping statements without consideration for the individual taking them. For example, high doses of sugar aren’t good for anyone of any age, and artificial sweeteners may do more good than harm. Protein shakes might be a good idea, but they often forsake vitamins and minerals for amino acids, leading to uncomfortable deficiencies, evidenced in aches, pains, and immunity issues.
On top of this, what if the individual is intolerant or allergic to dairy? Gluten? What if they’re vegetarian or vegan? What if they’re diabetic or pre-diabetic? What if they need to increase or reduce their sodium intake?
However, it’s all about risk and reward. Excess sugar, leading to weight gain or maintenance, may be more important. If a drink needs artificial sweeteners to encourage someone to consume it and ingest the benefits, it might be worthwhile. And so on.
As I clicked around a few other websites, I discovered that reviewers often highlight all the product’s benefits instead of whether or not the drink would suit an individual. On this page, I’ll walk you through a slightly more bespoke approach, ensuring you end up with the best option for you.
There are all sorts of side tangents here. For instance, a meal supplement in a drink may technically give someone everything they need, but because it’s so concentrated and liquid, they won’t ‘feel full’. The satiation isn’t there. Keep this in mind.
Also, if you’re looking after someone else, I always recommend trying the drink yourself. If you don’t like it, chances are they won’t either. Don’t force anyone to consume anything! Ever!
We could go on and on in this vein, so I’ll bring my wandering thoughts to the point. Get the best drink for the person consuming it. With that simple objective in mind, let’s get into some suggestions.
My Top Picks at a Glance
Best Healthy Option: Kate Farms Nutrition Shake
Kate Farms Nutrition Shake has just about everything good for you packed densely into it. It’s also made with allergen-friendly ingredients, containing none of the top nine allergens, making it suitable for just about anybody.
Best Scalable Option: Homemade Smoothies
Yes. Homemade nutritional drinks – in other words, smoothies – are, in my opinion, consistently the best. I’ll explain why I feel this is the case in more detail below. In general, though, you know exactly what you’re putting into homemade drinks, which is why they’re superior.
Best Budget Option: Boost Plus
Boost Plus is very similar to the Ensure Plus Nutrition Shake. It’s marginally less effective than its main competitor but considerably cheaper. This makes it the best option if you have limited finances.
Selection Criteria
- Overall health benefit: everything on this list provides vitamins, healthy fats, proteins, and calories. These are vital for the elderly, especially when maintaining weight is a concern. Some may also contain considerable amounts of sugar (although far less than comparative pops and sodas!). Depending on the circumstances, this is usually an acceptable trade-off.
- Allergen considerations: some of the best nutritional drinks for seniors rely heavily on cow’s milk. This isn’t a problem for most people, and the dense proteins and nutrients give the drink a wonderful, healthy, and tasty base layer. However, it isn’t suitable for everyone, such as those with lactose intolerance or milk allergies. I’ve included a couple of milk-free alternatives on this list, as well as taking into account other allergens like gluten and soy.
- Meal supplement or meal replacement: some nutritional drinks for seniors are designed to replace meals. These are particularly relevant for someone suffering from dysphagia – pain or difficulty swallowing. These should contain at least 300 calories, with high concentrations of proteins and carbohydrates but low amounts of sugar and bad fats (saturated and trans fats, which increase LDL, bad cholesterol). Everything else is a meal supplement – something to take alongside other food.
- Cost: the prices of these items must also be taken into account. You’re likely paying for them out of pocket, so getting great-value drinks containing everything you need is crucial.
What to Look or On the Best Nutritional Drinks for Seniors
Here’s a quick list of things you should watch out for (and what to potentially avoid) as you search for the best nutritional drinks for seniors.
- Total calories – calories (recorded in thousands, kilocalories – kcal) measure the total ‘energy stored’ in food. If someone is very physically active or needs to gain or maintain weight, look for as many calories as possible. If they need to lose weight, ensure this figure is as low as possible.
- Sugar – minimize the quantity of added sugar as much as possible. The main danger here is blood sugar spikes, something an older person’s body shouldn’t have to go through more often than necessary. However, if added sugar helps someone to ingest the rest of the goodness, it may be worthwhile.
- Artificial sweeteners – artificial sweeteners aren’t good for us, and nobody really claims they are. That said, if they help a diabetic or sugar-sensitive person consume a nutritional drink, the reward could be greater than the risk.
- Protein – protein is a group term for ‘amino acid chains’. The elderly need substantial amounts of protein. This can be a challenge for them to consume as their appetites wain. Ideally, look for at least 15 g or more of protein per serving. This should come from high-quality sources like whey, casein or soy. Higher protein is best for physical healing (such as from injuries or surgeries) and muscle maintenance.
- Vitamins and minerals – the building blocks of health, seniors are often deficient in B Vitamins, Vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium. The best nutritional drinks for them will contain these in abundance. They might also include those brain- and heart-helping certain fatty acids, such as Omega-3s.
- Fat – fat gets a bad rep, but we all need some of it. Healthy fats are vital to cell function. Look for low quantities of saturated and trans fats, always bearing in mind the source of these fats (it should be natural). The total amount of fat should vary depending on the drinker’s needs.
- Fiber – fiber is so overlooked – by most of the population! Soluble and non-soluble fiber help food ‘bulk’ into masses (feces) and move smoothly through the digestive tract. It’s critical to nutrition. Look for high fiber content wherever possible – 4 or 5 grams per serving should be a minimum. (Note that most nutritional drinks aren’t high in fiber.)
- Sodium – sodium (salt) entirely depends on the individual’s needs. If they’re low in sodium, look for a nutritional drink that contains a relatively high amount. The vice versa is also true, of course.
Best Overall: Kate Farms Nutrition Shake
- Serving size: 11 fl oz/325 ml; Calories: 330; Added sugars: 18 g; Protein: 16 g; Sodium: 260 mg
- Suitable for dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, kosher
Where to Buy: Kate Farms Nutrition Shake | Organic Meal Replacement Shake
Kate Farms Nutrition Shake is suitable for individuals of any age (except infants). It could be the best option for you. With no milk, gluten, soy, preservatives, artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners, it’s about as healthy as you can get in today’s climate. The primary source of protein is USDA pea protein and it’s packed with a wider range of vitamins than anything else I could find.
Alongside all the natural goodness, you’ll find an essential nutrient generally missing from everything else: fiber. One serving of Kate Farms Nutrition Shake provides 6 grams of dietary fiber, comparable to a portion of whole-grain breakfast cereal. Everyone needs to take care of their gut, seniors especially, and that’s a big part of why I’m so set on this product.
What else can I rave about? Well, the drink is certified USDA organic, certified non-GMO, and packed with phytonutrients from good stuff like kale, berries, and turmeric. It’s a fantastic option. Even though the sugar count is reasonably high, it’s far less than alternatives on the market.
Unfortunately, all this comes at a price. At the time of writing, a case of twelve 11-fl-oz bottles comes out at over $4 per bottle. You’ll save 10% by subscribing. Even then, it’s by far the most expensive option on my list.
Pros
- By far the healthiest option.
- Great for most individuals with allergies or intolerances.
- High-calorie count for weight retention or gain.
- Packed with vitamins and phytonutrients.
- High in protein.
- Suitable for a meal replacement.
Cons
- Expensive.
- Pea protein is complete protein but low in methionine.
Runner Up: Ensure Plus Nutrition Shake
- Serving size: 8 fl oz/237 ml; Calories: 350; Added sugars: 21 g; Protein: 16 g; Sodium: 210 mg
- Suitable for gluten-free, kosher, halal
Note: Ensure Plus Nutrition Shake also claims to be suitable for the lactose intolerant, although it does contain milk and whey products.
Where to Buy: Ensure Plus Nutrition Chocolate Shake | 350 Nutritious Calories
I picked the Ensure Plus Nutrition Shake as a great example from Ensure. It claims to supply “balanced nutrition” to the consumer and targets weight retention or gain alongside healthy doses of vitamins. It comes in five flavors: milk chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, dark chocolate, and butter pecan. The milk chocolate option is rightly the flagship choice!
Depending on your circumstances, this could even be used as a meal replacement drink alongside a few other snacks throughout the day. Keep an eye on the drinker’s sugar and sodium intakes, as these might quickly add up. Otherwise, it’s a brilliant option. Ensure recommends taking at most six to eight servings (bottles) per day. I’m not a doctor, but I would probably bring that down to three or four unless it’s someone’s only source of nutrition.
Ensure is the go-to brand at the moment. It’s great for getting those extra nutrients into someone who struggles to eat regularly or at all. While Ensure Plus is a great choice, others are available, such as Ensure Original (with lower calories but also lower sugar) or Complete (with less fat and more protein). I highly recommend taking Ensure’s online survey (follow the link) to get the best recommendations for yourself or the individual you’re looking after.
You’ll find the Ensure Plus Nutrition Shake in many places around the US, but Carewell is an excellent place to order online (particularly for regularly shipments as you can save 30% with their autoship schedule).
Pros
- High in calories and protein – great for weight retention or gain.
- Relatively low in added sugar (relative to caloric count).
- Low sodium.
- Healthy levels of fats.
- Great choice of flavors.
- Suitable for gluten-free, kosher, and halal individuals.
Cons
- Not suitable for people with galactosemia or those with dairy intolerance or allergies.
- More expensive than competitor options such as Boost Plus.
Best on a Budget: Boost Plus
- Serving size: 8 fl oz/237 ml; Calories: 360; Added sugars: 24 g; Protein: 14 g; Sodium: 200 mg
- Suitable for gluten-free, kosher
Where to Buy: BOOST Plus | BOOST Nutritional Drinks
I selected this offering from Boost to represent their stock. It’s certainly comparable with the Ensure Plus drink discussed above. In fact, there’s little to separate the two in nutritional content and flavor offerings. Boost Plus comes in chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry, with chocolate again being recommended.
The Boost Plus drink has 360 calories, including 24 grams of added sugar, 14 grams of proteins, and 200 mg of sodium. These are as-close-as-makes-no-difference values next to the Ensure Plus drink, although with marginally more sugar and less protein.
But it’s the sugar where I really want to focus. Whereas Ensure Plus relies on corn maltodextrin, Boost Plus gets its sweetness from glucose syrup. Glucose syrup has a slightly higher glycemic index (GI) rating than maltodextrin, so Boost Plus will cause more of a blood sugar spike than Ensure’s offering. This may be relevant to you or the individual you’re caring for. (However, both maltodextrin and glucose syrup are still almost pure sugar and thus have extraordinarily high GI values, coming in at 95 and 100 (out of 100!) respectively.)
On the flip side, Boost Plus is cheaper than Ensure Plus. A 24-pack costs a little over $2 (USD) per bottle, whereas Ensure Plus (at the time of writing) is closer to $3 per bottle. If budget is a major consideration, take this into account. Over time, and especially if you’re supplementing multiple times daily, it could turn into significant cost savings.
You can also find Boost Plus at many retailers in the US, but Carewell is an excellent place to order online (particularly for regularly shipments as you can save 30% with their autoship schedule).
Pros
- High caloric intake for weight gain or retention.
- Delicious flavor options (especially chocolate).
- Relatively cheap for a nutrition drink, especially if ordered from Boost on a subscription (10% off).
- Can be used as a meal replacement (but better as a supplement or snack).
Cons
- Slightly higher sugar and lower protein than Ensure Plus.
- Glucose syrup means a slightly higher glycemic index.
Orgain Nutrition Shake
- Serving size: 11 fl oz/330 ml; Calories: 250; Added sugars: 11 g; Protein: 16 g; Sodium: 270 mg
- Suitable for gluten-free
Where to Buy: Organic Nutrition Shake | Orgain
Although not necessarily produced with seniors in mind, the Orgain Nutrition Shake is a fantastic choice. It’s a milk-based shake (there is a dairy-free option!), and, to my mind, this makes it the best-tasting nutritional drink you can buy. Sure, the ingredients list is still hopelessly long, but it’s a very satisfying drink at the end of the day.
There are far fewer added sugars than most nutritional drinks on the market, and that’s a big plus, in my opinion. The dependence on milk also leads to a naturally high amount of protein. And, although the sodium levels are a little higher than others on this list, remember that the bottles are bigger – 11 fl oz instead of the usual 8. Per unit volume, the sodium levels are about the same. Even the 270 mg in the Orgain Nutritional Shake is only 12% of the average adult’s RDA.
Once again, you get a delicious choice of flavors: chocolate fudge, mocha, strawberries and cream, and sweet vanilla bean. Note that the chocolate and mocha flavorings have trace amounts of caffeine (as usual).
The main downside is the caloric count. Overall, the shake packs less energy than others on this list, likely due to the lower quantities of sugar. As a result, it might not be appropriate as a standalone meal replacement if you’re looking to maintain or gain weight. The vitamin concentration is also reasonably good, but you’ll get more from the other choices on this list.
Overall, I feel the Orgain Nutritional Shake is a brilliant option for a senior who’s still active, eating, and not losing weight. However, it’s worth considering alternating this drink with other options to ensure a less mobile individual receives enough energy to keep their weight on.
Pros
- Wholesome, healthy nutritional drink.
- Excellent choice of flavors.
- Competitive price per fl oz (subscribe to autoship to save 30%).
- Low in added sugars, high in protein.
- Dairy-free option available.
Cons
- Low caloric count makes it unsuitable for weight retention/gain.
- More expensive per bottle (although the bottles are larger than others).
- More concentrated vitamins in competitor products.
Homemade Smoothies
- Serving size and nutritional info: TBD
- Customizable and suitable for anyone
It might seem like cheating to include homemade smoothies on this list. Still, I truly believe they’re one of the best options for a senior-friendly nutritional drink. Naturally, the beauty of doing it yourself means you can use—and disregard—whatever ingredients you like.
I’m no smoothie recipe mogul, and neither do I have a doctorate in vitamins or phytonutrients. So, in that regard, I suggest consulting the individual’s doctor or, more likely for privacy reasons, asking them or a relative to enquire on your behalf.
Those things aside, a smoothie could contain just about anything. The best drinks for seniors should be packed with vitamins, phytonutrients, antioxidants, healthy fats, and responsibly sourced, high-quality proteins.
Consider using cruciferous vegetables (especially kale), berries, plant-based protein powder, and healthy fats from oils (avocado is a brilliant option) and seeds, especially chia and pumpkin. Tree nuts are also well worth incorporating unless allergies or reactions are involved. Bulk the smoothie with milk (cow, goat, bison, or sheep) or a plant-based alternative. Try to purchase everything organic, if possible.
Consider adding flavorings, too. Remember, the priority here is getting all that good stuff inside someone struggling with appetite, swallowing, or cognitive awareness. It’s okay to compromise and add more sugar or sugary products to help them consume their drink. Chocolate, fruits, coffee, straight sugar – whatever flavors your loved one enjoys (that are appropriate for smoothies!), get it in there. Before passing it to them, try it yourself! If you don’t like it, they probably won’t either!
It’s best to make big batches at once to save you time in the long run. Read recipe advice, although most smoothies should be safe in the fridge for at least two or three days. If in doubt, throw it out.
Pros
- Most natural options out there.
- Scalable budget.
- Free from artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, and emulsifiers.
- Know exactly what’s going into a nutritional drink.
- Adjustable portion sizes.
Cons
- Less regulation – online recipes might not be accurate or safe (unlikely but possible).
- Time-consuming, depending on how much you make and how often.
- Organic ingredients are best but extremely expensive.
The Final Shake
There we have it.
There are plenty more fantastic options for nutritional drinks for seniors. I’ve selected these as pedestal options for individual types. You’ll notice that some contain more significant amounts of sugar (in various forms). These are great for pumping calories into someone and maintaining weight. However, there are alternatives – it’s just that these tend to be a little more expensive.
Please let me know what you think of these options and if you have any other drinks people should consider!
Otherwise, thanks for reading. I hope you’ve learned something helpful from this article that will help you and your loved ones move forward!
Additional Reading on Senior Nutrition: