Written by Carewell Team on Thu Jul 17 2025.
Vanilla or strawberry? Clear or creamy? High in protein or high in calories? If you're navigating the world of nutrition drinks for a loved one, the sheer number of choices can be overwhelming.
You're not alone in feeling this way. We’ve spoken with countless caregivers who are trying to find the right nutritional support for the adult or senior in their care. To help simplify your decision, we’ve answered the most common questions we hear and compiled our top-recommended nutrition drinks for adults.
Supplemental nutrition drinks are designed to provide a healthy balance of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. They act as a convenient way to add calories and essential nutrients to a diet. For individuals who are unable to eat solid meals, they can even serve as a complete source of nutrition.
However, it’s important to understand what these drinks can and can’t do. Let’s explore the benefits and considerations.
Easy to use and open: For seniors with limited hand strength or mobility, these drinks are simple to open and consume without any complex preparation.
Quick alternative to cooking: We all want to prepare home-cooked meals, but busy schedules, fatigue, or caregiving duties can make that difficult. Nutrition drinks are a reliable backup when you’re short on time or energy.
Encourages appetite: Many users say, “It tastes just like a milkshake!” A delicious, familiar flavor can help reduce resistance to eating, especially for those with a diminished appetite.
Ideal for swallowing difficulties: Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) is a common challenge, affecting about 15% of seniors
and nearly 70% of nursing home residents. Shakes and drinks are often a safe and effective nutritional solution for those who cannot eat solid foods.
Great value in bulk: You can often find nutrition drinks in bulk cases, making it easier to stay stocked up while saving money.
Sugar content varies: The great taste often comes from sugar. While sugar provides energy, it's wise to compare labels. The best daily nutrition drinks for seniors and adults will have a balanced ingredient profile.
May not feel as filling: As a supplement, a nutrition drink may not provide the same feeling of fullness as a traditional meal. If hunger soon follows, consider pairing the drink with a small, healthy snack.
Potential for overconsumption: Because they are so easy to drink, it can be tempting to have more than needed. This can lead to consuming too many calories and unwanted weight gain. Always follow the serving recommendations on the package.
The best nutrition drink depends entirely on your loved one’s individual health goals and dietary needs.
Before you buy, ask yourself:
What is the goal? Do you want to help them lose, maintain, or gain weight?
Are there dietary restrictions? Do they need a gluten-free, dairy-free, or diabetic-friendly option?
Are there any lifestyle preferences? For example, is a vegan or plant-based option preferred?
Answering these questions will make it much easier to find the perfect match.
Nutrition shakes are not one-size-fits-all. You’ll find a wide variety of formulas, including:
High-Protein
Low-Sugar
High-Calorie
"Light" nutrition shakes are lower in calories and sugar, often used for diet management or as a small nutritional boost.
But what if the goal is to prevent weight loss or help build muscle mass? This is where a high-calorie shake is essential. For example, a "max" or "very high-calorie" shake can contain over 350 calories per serving, making it an effective supplement for gaining or maintaining weight.
Customer review of Boost High Protein Oral Supplement: "Can't believe all the vitamins and minerals-- and 20g of protein! Tastes good too." - Edward
Yes, there is a wide and growing variety of organic nutrition drinks available for those seeking clean, whole-food-based options. These products cater to a range of dietary needs and preferences, from complete meal replacements to supplemental protein shakes.
We really like the brand Orgain for an organic, gluten-free option.
Customer review of Orgain Organic Nutrition Grass-Fed Protein Shake: "Me and my husband loved our shakes from Carewell. Every time we order it's delivered within the next day with no problems. I would recommend to friends and relatives. " - Lisa
For a drink to be considered a true meal replacement, it needs to provide substantial calories and a balanced profile of macronutrients. It should:
350+ calories
10 to 20 grams of protein
Around 40 grams of carbohydrates
Less than 6 grams of fat
Always check the nutritional label. A standard protein shake often has fewer calories and vitamins and cannot substitute for a full meal.
Customer review of Boost Plus Balanced Nutritional Drink, Very Vanilla: "My daughter relies on Boost Plus (fed via G-tube) for the majority of her nutrition. I’m delighted to have found Carewell as the shipments are timely and well-packaged. I am also pleased with the autoship option." - Patricia
While you don't typically need a prescription for nutrition drinks, we always recommend consulting with a doctor or registered dietitian. They can help you choose a product that aligns perfectly with a specific health plan and ensure it won’t interfere with any existing conditions or medications.
Remember, choosing the right product is a key part of caregiving, and you don’t have to do it alone. A quick 5-minute phone call with our product experts can save you hours of research.
Call us at (800) 696-CARE or email us at support@carewell.com.
Boost is a leading provider of nutritional drinks that meets the needs of any consumer. Their mission is to help people live happier, healthier lives by making it easy to get the extra protein, calories, and nutrition needed for everyday living.
See how they rank. >
By serving your loved one meals with a soft, pudding-like consistency, it’s possible to provide them with the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients they need while lowering the risk of choking or digestive issues.
To determine if pureed foods are right for your senior, it’s important to know a little bit about them.
