As a follow up from my previous post, I wanted to touch on the role of supplements, such as Ensure, Boost, and Pediasure. Often, these supplements become staples for individuals who desire to gain weight. In other cases, these fortified nutritional drinks(I cringe calling them nutritional drinks) are used as meal replacements. In a clinical setting, this family of supplements would be considered medical food. Many people like these drinks because they are convenient, as they require no preparation, minimal clean up, and most are shelf stable. However, while they are advertised as healthy options, I recommend against these types of chemical cocktails. If you look at the list of ingredients, you will note that the first few ingredients are added sugars (a red flag). If you make it to the bottom of the list, you will see a combination of colors, artificial flavors, and other questionable ingredients. Along the same lines, I do not recommend weight gain pills. Our bodies respond best to real food. Foods occurring in nature contain nutrients that were created to work with our bodies. Science, although it may come close, cannot replicate these nutrients. For this reason, if possible, stick to simple whole foods. With a bit more prep work, fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds can be just as easy to grab throughout the week as the bottled potions. The gains that you see, literally and figuratively, will be worth the extra prep time. Weight gain takes time, just like weight loss. Rather than consume a barage of unhealthy, high fat, nutrient-poor food (e.g. fast food, cakes, cookies, shakes, etc), it is still best to consume whole foods that are minimally processed. Think avocado spread on toast; nut butters mixed into your morning oats; Enjoy the journey as you take this time to try some new foods and take advantage of second helpings of your healthy foods. Stay happy and healthy!
2 Comments
Slim
1/15/2016 11:20:41 am
Thanks for the warning. Some of us do get impatient at times and want "quick fixes". I have to remind myself that rewards worth having are worth the wait. Healthy options must remain our focus.
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Alena
1/17/2016 12:15:11 pm
Exactly, Sim ;-D
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AuthorHello there, my name is Alena and I am a Registered Dietitian! This blog is a platform through which I can share my knowledge and perspectives on a variety of nutrition-related topics. Feel free to contribute by commenting. Archives
November 2021
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