Key Takeaways
- Yes, Ensure is safe for pregnant women to drink ✔️
- It’s a convenient source of nutrients and hydration if you’re experiencing morning sickness ✔️
- Don’t consume more than 6 bottles of Ensure per day ⚠️
- If you’re taking prenatal vitamins, limit Ensure to only 2 shakes per day ⚠️
Protein Intake During Pregnancy
Before we answer “Can you drink Ensure while pregnant?”, let’s talk about protein intake during pregnancy.
Protein is essential for the building and repair of tissues. It’s also important for your baby’s nervous system development. When you’re pregnant, your body needs more protein than when you’re not. The recommended amount of protein for pregnant women is at least 60 grams per day. This is about 20 grams more than the minimum for non-pregnant women.
Pregnant women should get most of their protein from food, such as meat, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts. You can also get some protein from supplements, but they shouldn’t be used to replace a well-rounded diet.
Nutritional Drinks Like Ensure During Pregnancy
Sadly, some women find it difficult to get all the nutrients they need from food alone. This is where nutrition drinks can come in handy. They’re designed to provide a balance of essential nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and protein. Consult with your doctor or midwife before incorporating nutrition drinks into your diet to make sure they’re right for you.
Can You Drink Ensure While Pregnant, Then?
Since it’s so convenient and nutritious, can you drink Ensure while pregnant? Yes! In fact, many doctors recommend that pregnant women drink Ensure Original or another type of nutritional drink to help them get the nutrients they need. The manufacturer also clarifies that Ensure is safe for pregnant women. If you choose the coffee flavor, limit it to 1 serving per day because it contains caffeine.
However, if you’re already taking prenatal vitamins, then adding Ensure drinks to your diet may be overkill. Some women may also have allergies or other medical conditions that make nutritional drinks unsuitable for them. Also, read the label carefully to make sure you’re getting the right type of Ensure for your needs. Lastly, remember that no matter how healthy a drink is, you should monitor your intake and make sure you aren’t overdoing it.
How Much Ensure Can You Drink While Pregnant?
While Ensure can provide some protein, it’s not a complete source of this nutrient. If that were to be their only protein source, pregnant women would need to drink 6.5 servings of Ensure Original per day to meet their protein needs, which is not recommended.
Ensure Plus has 16 grams per serving, so it would take about 4 servings. This is a safe amount to drink for most people. If you’re taking vitamin A supplements, limit yourself to 2 bottles of Ensure per day. If you aren’t, around 5–6 bottles of Ensure Original per day won’t harm you.
In addition, Ensure is high in sugar and calories, which may cause weight gain when unbalanced. Pregnant women should focus on eating more whole foods, such as lean meats, vegetables, and legumes. These foods will provide more protein and other important nutrients than Ensure.
So, while it’s safe to treat Ensure as a supplement, or even one meal replacement, it should not constitute your sole protein intake. The more balanced your diet is, the safer you and your fetus will be.
Risks of Drinking Ensure While Pregnant
Can you drink Ensure while pregnant? Sure! But are there any risks, regardless? Sadly, yes.
For instance, Ensure contains is not recommended for women who are taking blood thinners. In addition, the high level of vitamins and minerals in Ensure can be harmful if consumed in excess. For these reasons, it’s advisable to moderate your intake of dietary supplements while pregnant. As always, consult with your physician to determine what’s best for you and your baby.
Editor’s Note 💬
Some people don’t realize that you can actually overdose on vitamins – especially vitamin A. Ensure contains this vitamin, so pay attention to your daily intake combined with other supplements and foods. Hypervitaminosis A can manifest in dizziness, vision changes, headaches, irritability, and nausea among other symptoms.
The Bottom Line
Ensure is mostly safe to drink while pregnant. Check with your doctor before consuming it and remember that Ensure can’t replace a healthy diet. Pregnant women need extra calories and protein, so be sure to focus on eating more whole foods. Also, moderate your intake of Ensure or any other supplement to avoid any potential risks. Above all, listen to your body and what it’s telling you.
FAQs About Nutrition and Pregnancy
Is Boost or Ensure Better for Pregnancy?
Both Boost and Ensure offer similar nutritional benefits. They also offer many versions of their drinks, so it’s hard to compare the brands as a whole. However, when comparing their original products, Boost is lower in calories and slightly higher in protein than Ensure. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your needs as determined by your doctor.
Which Health Drink Is Best for Pregnant Ladies?
Products marketed as health drinks are all supplements (or meal replacements) that should only be used if you can’t get enough nutrients from your regular diet. They’re also convenient for women who suffer from morning sickness. But in general, you should drink water, smoothies, juices, and other natural beverages to meet your daily hydration needs.
Can I Drink Protein Shakes While Pregnant?
If they don’t contain caffeine, which some do, then yes. It’s best to talk to your doctor about the recommended serving size because of the high calorie and protein content. Protein shakes may help you reach your recommended nutrient intake for the day, but shouldn’t be used as a replacement for food.
What Is the Best Morning Drink for Pregnancy?
If you’re struggling to eat anything in the morning, try to drink a little milk or ginger tea to start your day. Smoothies are also a great way to get those extra vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants without having to eat the whole fruits or vegetables. If you’re craving something refreshing in summer, try adding some freshly squeezed lemon juice into your beverage.
Can I Drink Gatorade While Pregnant?
Gatorade is a good choice for hydration if you’re having morning sickness. It can also help replenish electrolytes, but it’s best to consult with your doctor before adding it to your diet. Make sure you only consume Gatorade occasionally. It has high quantities of sodium and sugar, none of which are good for a healthy pregnancy.
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