My father likes the chocolate Ensure drinks, however, sometimes they get in the way of him eating meals. Plus, it can cause him constipation. I know there is an Ensure with Fiber. I have not tried Boost? Any feedback on it would be appreciated. Is there a good nutrition drink without sugar? These drinks, while having many vitamins, seem to be loaded with sugar. Dad's doctor said he needed to get enough protein. Dad has less and less interest in meat. He will eat 1/4 of a sandwich at a meal. This is not even 1/2. I know this is not unusual from the other posts I have read about how many of the elderly folks don't eat much; but he fell about a week ago. I know it is related to his inconsistent diet. He will not leave his house. Fortunately, he was o.k. after the fall.

Glucerna is a good alternative and is easily obtained any drug store / walmart / grocery store..it is for diabetics but anybody can consume them..They have many flavors to choose frm..other SF supplements you would need a prescription for and would have to go through the company to obtain, they are VERY expensive and not to many flavors are available..
I believe Ensure now has a "diabetic" supplement also..whe they say diabetic it is just saying that the sugar content is low to none.. not that it has medicine to control diabetes..

Ensure comes in sugar free. They give it to my mother since her blood sugar is a little high, although it's been the same numbers for 12 years +. The sugar fee is DISGUSTING! Of course she won't drink it because it's DISGUSTING! So she takes a couple of sips and my sister and I feed her Reece's Peanut Butter Cups.

Would the aide be willing to make him smoothies--
she could use whey or protein powder, honey as a sweetener... bananas, frozen blueberries, etc.

I don't like the taste of the proteins so a nutritionist suggested putting some cashew butter in the smoothie instead-- for good proteins and fat.

I wouldn't use the sugarfree Ensure-- sugar at least provides calories.

If thoughtfully prepared, he could well eat these instead of MEALS...

Was your Dad evaluated after his fall to try to find the reason he fell(cardiac, neurologic, etc?)
You can add some metamucil (it's fiber in a powder form) to the nutritional drinks as well to help the constipation.

Google on line for options, go to local nutritional store and ask for suggestions or ask another healthcare person for ideas, too.

Just ask around and you will find options. Will say brightwings idea of making with everyday fruits, etc, is wonderful. If need more protein, checkout protein power which has no or low sugar. We take protein powder which is purchased from Sam's and just add to OJ twice per day. This same protein does come in LOW-SUGAR, too (not Sam's, but on-line stores).

Best of luck as it's out there, just ask others....

Dad will not leave his house. Any doctor he has seen has been through a referral. ABout a month ago when his Psych. visited, we were told this was a good situation where dad lived on his own; but had someone visit daily. It is clear from recent events that this will not be enough. Dad called the Fire Department, and they broke a window to get in his house this morning. I know we are in a worse position now.

quote:

Originally posted by jellybeans:
Was your Dad evaluated after his fall to try to find the reason he fell(cardiac, neurologic, etc?)
You can add some metamucil (it's fiber in a powder form) to the nutritional drinks as well to help the constipation.

Mom is currently living on a diet of prune juice, unsweetened tea, and Boost. Not something I would espouse, but the Boost is getting calories in her while keeping her blood sugar in control.

I adapted a recipe in "The 'I Can't Believe This Has No Sugar' Cookbook by Deborah E. Buhr to make sugar-free popsicles using ripe bananas as the sweetener. I wouldn't recommend using toothpicks for the holders, but a dish of two or three "popsicles" is refreshing and nutritious.

Here are my adapted recipes:

Sugar-Free Fudgsicles

4 ripe bananas, peeled and mashed
3 tbsp. water
¾ cup cocoa or carob powder
¼ cup canola oil
½ tsp. vanilla or almond flavoring
½ tsp. ground cinnamon or allspice
¼ cup finely chopped cherries, optional

Combine all ingredients. Fill an ice cube tray with the mixture and insert a toothpick in the center of each cube. Freeze before serving.

Popsicles can be removed from the tray and stored in a covered plastic container in the freezer.

Sugar-Free Creamsicles

4 ripe bananas, peeled and mashed
grated rind of one orange, optional
½ cup orange juice, or juice of one orange
2 tbsp canola oil
1 ½ tsp. vanilla

Combine all ingredients. Fill an ice cube tray with the mixture and insert a toothpick in the center of each cube. Freeze before serving.

Popsicles can be removed from the tray and stored in a covered plastic container in the freezer.

Chocolate-peanut butter popsicles

4 ripe bananas, peeled and mashed
1/3 cup dry milk powder
¾ cup cocoa or carob powder
3 tbsp frozen apple juice concentrate
1 tsp. vanilla
½ cup peanut butter

Combine all ingredients. Fill an ice cube tray with the mixture and insert a toothpick in the center of each cube. Freeze before serving.

Popsicles can be removed from the tray and stored in a covered plastic container in the freezer.

I will look into Boost. My father seems to be enjoying the Ensure, but I know there have been issues with wanting a chocolate drink, eating chocolate ice cream, and winding up constipated from all of the chocolate. He likes prune juice, and we usually have it in the house.

How old is your mother??

quote:

Originally posted by Carolina Songbird:
Mom is currently living on a diet of prune juice, unsweetened tea, and Boost. Not something I would espouse, but the Boost is getting calories in her while keeping her blood sugar in control.

My dad drinks Glucerna Protein Boost Glucose Control shakes, they have vanilla, strawberry and chocolate. They seem to work pretty well to supplement his meals.

Dad will not leave the house to go to a doctor. So, the answer is "No". Unfortunately, I have parents who when they get old enough are still able to be stubborn enough to dictate what they will do. It is not possible to push this situation. Fortunately, we have had a good doctor who made a housecall in the last month. He took a blood sample. This was all that was possible. Its not an easy road. If at some point, he is incapacitated to the point that I can have him checked more thoroughly, I will do this. Its been a tough road. I am not bitter, just dealing with the situation the best I can. My mom got to be almost 92, and lived a good life. Unfortunately, she did not go the doctor until about a week before she died. She had a UTI. I believe that pushed her over the edge. Dad is more and more frail, and I am trying to find someone to come live with him.

Wendy

quote:

Originally posted by jellybeans:
Was your Dad evaluated after his fall to try to find the reason he fell(cardiac, neurologic, etc?)
You can add some metamucil (it's fiber in a powder form) to the nutritional drinks as well to help the constipation.