Family & Pet Safety
Not Dog Safe 🐶❌
Pregnancy Safe? 🤰✅
Safe for consumption.
Limit for Kids 👶⚠️
Ingredient Decoder
High Risk Additives
Red 3 (Erythrosine)
A cherry-pink dye. The FDA banned it in cosmetics due to thyroid cancer links but still allows it in food (like maraschino cherries and candy).
Moderate Caution
Artificial Flavor
A mixture of chemicals synthesized in a lab to mimic natural tastes. Manufacturers are not required to disclose the specific ingredients used in these proprietary blends.
Maltodextrin
A highly processed white powder from corn or wheat. It has a higher Glycemic Index than table sugar (spiking insulin rapidly) and can suppress good gut bacteria.
Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K)
A calorie-free sweetener usually blended with Sucralose. Contains Methylene Chloride (a carcinogen) residues from manufacturing, though FDA deems levels safe.
Soy Protein Isolate
A highly processed protein. The extraction process often uses hexane (a neurotoxin). It also contains high levels of phytoestrogens.
Full Ingredients List:
Diet Compatibility
Vegan
Avoid
Gluten-Free
OK
Keto
Avoid
What you need to know
Fat in low quantity (2.53g)
This product contains a low amount of fat. A healthy choice for your heart.
Source: National Health Service UK (NHS) - Fat: the facts
Saturated Fat in low quantity (0.422g)
Saturated fat in low quantity. Good for maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.
Source: National Health Service UK (NHS)
Sugars in low quantity (4.22g)
Low sugar content. Good for weight control and dental health.
Source: National Health Service UK (NHS) - Sugar: the facts
Salt in low quantity (0.222g)
Low salt content.
Source: WHO - Fact sheet - Salt reduction
Health Benefits
- ● Low Sugar
Cons & Warnings
- ● Contains Red 3 (Erythrosine)
Processing Level
Based on ingredient analysis (NOVA System)
Analysis Report
Data-Driven
Sarah Jenkins, RDN
Registered Dietitian
"Sarah specializes in metabolic health and label decoding."
Health Integrity Analysis
Is Ensure Original nutrition shake truly good for you, or is it just clever marketing? We analyzed the nutritional density, ingredient safety, and processing levels using the CakeID Algorithm. With a calculated health score of 55/100, here is the deep dive into what you are actually eating.
⚠️ Additive Watch: Critical Flags
The ingredient list reveals the presence of Red 3 (Erythrosine). A cherry-pink dye. The FDA banned it in cosmetics due to thyroid cancer links but still allows it in food (like maraschino cherries and candy). For health-conscious consumers, this is a significant red flag that lowered the product's overall score.
Nutritional Balance
With only 4g of sugar, this product maintains a balanced profile. It avoids the excessive sweetness of typical processed foods while providing 4g of protein.
Final Verdict
Taking into account the macro-nutrient balance, additive risks, and caloric density, Ensure Original nutrition shake achieves a CakeID Score of 55/100.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Official GTIN Code
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 package
Calories
* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Burn It Off
To burn off the 93 kcal in 100g, you'd need to:
Sugar Visualization
1 cube ≈ 4g sugar (Contains ~1 cubes)
Macros
FDA Check
Passed. No active recalls.
