Liquid nutritional supplements were originally developed to help sick and the elderly – those who, for a variety of reasons, were not able to eat regular meals. However, over the past several years, these liquid nutritional supplements have been increasingly promoted as sound meal replacements for healthy people of all ages. In some busy households, they have sometimes shown up at the breakfast, lunch, or dinner table.
But is that where liquid supplements belong? Although these products do offer some benefits, nutritional experts advise most of us to proceed with caution; otherwise we may get much more (in the way of calories) than we bargained for.
Liquid supplements are composed primarily of water, sugars, oils, milk and/or soy protein, and added vitamins and minerals. Among the most enticing promises made by their manufacturers is that these products supply energy, particularly to those over 50 years of age. However, the only source of nutritional energy in the drinks is calories – 200 to 360 of them, depending on the brand – which you are already getting from food. And when we take in more calories than we need, we gain weight. Add one of these drinks to your three square meals a day, and you are likely to put on pounds, especially if you choose a brand that’s high in fat.
Another claim is that these supplements offer complete nutrition in a can. Although some contain the recommended daily amounts of vitamins and minerals, many offer less than half that. In addition, most liquid supplements don’t contain fiber; none have the antioxidant plant compounds called phytochemicals that work both alone and together to confer such benefits as neutralizing harmful free radicals in the body. Indeed, as far as most liquid nutritional supplements go, you’d do just as well to take a multivitamin and wash it down with a milk shake.
These products are also often touted as being high in protein and therefore helpful in building muscle. But the typical American diet is already high in protein.
While physicians frequently prescribe liquid supplements, they nearly always do so for people who have difficulty consuming enough nutrients, such as some AIDS patients and cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The products may also be helpful to people who need to gain weight and have trouble doing so.
Nutritionists and dietitians agree that liquid supplements, even with their shortcomings, can occasionally be used as a substitute for a meal – for example, when you are traveling and can’t stop to eat or when you are in too much of a hurry even to make a sandwich. Low-fat varieties also make better snacks than high-fat foods, such as doughnuts and potato chips. But remember that healthful foods – a piece of fruit, a bagel, low-fat yogurt, whole-grain crackers – can also be eaten on the run and provide fiber or other nutrients as well.
If you do decide to use a liquid nutritional supplement, be aware that instant breakfast drinks are made of essentially the same ingredients and usually cost less. Under no circumstance should you try to live on these supplements if you can eat regular meals.
If you are ill and can’t chew, swallow, or tolerate regular food, or if you are unable to eat more than a limited amount, liquid supplements can provide nutritional upkeep and energy. In short, these products are excellent when used for their original purpose.