Q: My parents are on a fixed income and go through a lot of Ensure and other supplement type drinks each month. They both drink it to get extra calories and vitamins. Both can still have dairy. Do you have a recipe for a homemade version so they can save a little money? Thank you for all your help.- anonymous, Covington, GA
A: I know it can be difficult for some folks to get all the calories they need through meals alone. I experienced this when my oldest daughter was 8 years old. Our family doctor recommended we supplement her meals with Ensure. She was a small child and didn't gain weight easily. After a month of buying the drinks, I knew there had to be a better, more cost effective way to add the protein and vitamins she needed to her diet. I consulted her doctor to make sure I was providing what she needed. (Please, make sure you do this with your parents as well!) Once I started making her supplements (drinks) and found a good multi-vitamin for her, she was good to go. Hope this helps you!
My daughter enjoyed the chocolate flavored Ensure the most. In an empty gallon milk jug, mix together three cans of sweetened condensed milk, two cups of Ovaltine, and one tablespoon of canola oil. Hold the cap in place and shake the jug to mix everything really, really well. Then, pour in whole milk until the jug is almost completely filled. Hold the cap in place and shake the jug again to mix well a second time. My daughter drank 8 ounces of this three times a day (with every meal) in place of Ensure.
Be sure your parents are taking a good vitamin supplement and again, be sure to talk to their health care provider about making this change for them!
Do you have a question that needs answering? Just email OFM at mamabee@OneFabulousMama.com! For more Magical Monday Q&A fabulousness, go here!
