Sorting Out the Supplements - Which Supplement and for Who?
One of the most important things to remember is that a nutritional supplement is that – an extra product to supplement the diet. Ideally it should be adding nutrients to meals rather than replacing meals. The term ‘supplement’ is also used to describe added vitamins and minerals, but I am focusing on those that are mainly used to treat weight loss and to assist in healing and recovery.
These nutritional supplements are special food products that can be used as part of or in addition to the usual meals. They add protein, energy, vitamins and minerals to the diet and are used to assist residents to gain weight as well as to help prevent weight loss in those who have a poor appetite and who are not eating enough food.
Certain specialist supplements are available to treat particular diseases, such as to add fibre to the diet or to enhance wound healing.
Most supplements are based on soy milk, cow’s milk or juice and come as a drink. Others come as a powder that can be added to a meal, soup, dessert or cereal or can have water or milk added to make them into a drink.
High Protein and High Energy Supplements
1 Cal per ml supplements (or 4.2kj per ml)
This is your basic supplement and is usually given as a drink after a meal or between the meals. This group includes Sustagen, Ensure, Resource Fruit Beverage, Enprocal and Proform. Resource Protein is a little stronger and supplies 1.25 cals per ml. Most of these supplements are based on cow’s milk, with the exception of Ensure, which is based on soy milk and Resource Fruit Beverage, which has a juice base. They come as powders that can be made into 1 cal per ml drinks or as ready to drink liquids. Powders have the advantage of being able to be added to other foods. They can also be made into more concentrated higher kilojoule drinks.
1½ Cals per ml supplements (6.3 kj per ml)
These ready to drink supplements are more concentrated that those listed above and are given to those who have lost more weight and need a higher kilojoule supplement. They come ready to drink in a bottle or tetrapack and are given after or between meals. This group includes Ensure Plus, Resource Plus, Enlive Plus, Fortijuice and Fortisip. Ensure Plus and Resource Plus are based on soy milk and Enlive Plus and Fortijuice are based on juice.
2 Cals per ml supplements (8.4kj per ml)
These supplements are even higher in kilojoules and are given to residents who have lost a lot of weight, who are very underweight or who need to restrict their fluid intake. They include Ensure 2 Cal, Novasource 2.0, and Resource 2.0 Fibre and are soy milk based. In nursing homes they may be recorded in a medication chart and given out and signed off by a Registered Nurse. Using this system means that one can be sure that the resident has actually had the supplement that was prescribed for them. Sustagen, Ensure, Enprocal, Proform and Fortisip powders may also be made up to a 2 cal per ml concentration.
Other Special Supplements
Sustagen, Ensure Plus, Proform and Resource 2 come in a neutral flavour that can add protein and kilojoules to milk drinks, desserts, creamy soups and casseroles without affecting taste.
Article by Christine Borthwick 0418 437 291