Ravi Teja Tadimalla
Nutrition drinks are a convenient way to bridge the nutrient gap. They are satiating and healthful. These drinks often come in delicious flavors, making them all the more appealing.
Though they cannot replace full meals, they can be a good addition to your diet.
Supermarkets are flooded with several brands of nutrition drinks. But not all offer real value. In this post, we have picked the top nutrition drinks available in the Indian market today.
Table Of Contents
What Are The Top 7 Nutrition Drinks In India?
1. Cadbury Bournvita
Cadbury Bournvita is a malted chocolate drink mix. You can enjoy it steaming hot or ice cold. The drink mix is enriched with essential B vitamins and vitamin D.
It also contains calcium and other nutrients that boost health.
Pros
- Tastes delicious
- Affordable
Cons
- Possible packaging issues
2. Nestle Resource Opti
The Nestle Resource nutrition drink offers 27 vitamins and minerals. A 100 grams of the product contains over 20 grams of protein. The drink mix also contains dietary fiber.
Pros
- Very good packaging
- Easily soluble in water or milk
- Tastes good
Cons
- Very less protein content per scoop
3. Ensure Balanced Adult Nutrition Health Drink
Ensure contains 32 nutrients, including protein, vitamin D, and calcium that most people are likely to miss including in their diet. The product claims to have 4 times less sugar than most other health drinks.
The high-quality protein in the drink can also help boost muscle mass.
It also contains fructooligosaccharide, which can promote digestive health.
Pros
- Tastes delicious
- Quick results
- Improved energy levels and immunity
Cons
- A bit expensive
4. Horlicks Protein+ Health And Nutrition Drink
Horlicks Protein+ is a blend of three high-quality proteins – whey, soy, and casein. The triple blend ensures a faster release of amino acids over time.
The brand claims to have three times more protein than any leading health food drink.
Pros
- Triple-protein blend keeps you full for longer periods.
Cons
None
5. Protinex Original
Protinex is fortified with vitamins and is particularly high in protein. The nutrition drink mix has zero trans fat. It is made of milk protein and soy protein isolate (one of the richest protein sources on the planet).
It contains hydrolyzed protein that is said to get absorbed and digested in the body rapidly.
Protinex contains 34 grams of protein for every 100 grams of the mix.
Pros
- Reasonably priced
- Can help control hunger
Cons
- Unappealing taste
- Not suitable for people allergic to soy
6. Boost Health Drink
This nutrition mix is fortified with 17 essential nutrients. Some of these include vitamins A, C, B6, B12, and folic acid. Other nutrients in the drink promote bone and muscle strength.
The other nutrients (like magnesium, biotin, and pantothenic acid) help release energy from food – giving you a burst of energy on a busy day.
Pros
- Tastes good
- Nice flavor
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Possible issues with packaging
7. Urban Platter Soy Milk Powder
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This protein mix is made from soybeans. It can be used as a lactose-free and dairy-free alternative to regular milk.
The mix works equally well for adults and children and even for senior citizens. It contains zero cholesterol and absolutely no saturated fat or trans fat.
Hundred grams of the mix contains 49 grams of protein. The nutrition mix also contains calcium, iron, and potassium.
Pros
- Vegan
- No additives
- Can be used with water, milk, tea, coffee, and even smoothies
- Good packaging
Cons
- Taste might be unappealing to some
- Not suitable for people allergic to soy
Now that you know which are the best nutrition drinks, it’s time for you to consider some important factors before purchasing any of them. The guide given below will help you with some vital points.
Things To Consider When Buying A Nutrition Drink
- Age
Not all nutrition drinks are meant for everyone! These drinks are classified according to different age groups. The nutrition requirements for kids are different, and therefore, the composition or ingredients added in the same will be different from the nutrition drinks meant for adults. That is why it’s necessary to buy a product meant specifically for your age group.
- Purpose
These nutrition drinks are meant for different purposes. Therefore, they should be chosen accordingly. If you want to lose weight, opt for a meal replacement drink. If you need an additional supply of nutrition along with your meals, go for a fortified drink. Lastly, if your requirement is muscle building, opt for a straight nutrition drink.
- Flavor
Health nutrition drinks come in various flavors to pamper your taste buds. Some of the flavor options are chocolate, mint, coffee, strawberry, vanilla, and butterscotch.
- Ingredients
Nutrition drinks are formulated with proteins, vitamins, fatty acids, lactose, gluten, and other nutritional additives. Before buying any such drink, it’s necessary to check the ingredients list to prevent allergic reactions and other side effects.
- Third-Party Authentication
Third-party authentication is essential when buying any nutrition drink as it tells you about the quality of the ingredients used in the drink. Therefore, always look for proper certifications and approvals to ensure the safety of the drink.
You can take your pick from these nutritional drinks. But before you do that, there is something else you must know about nutrition drinks.
Can you consume as many of those as you want? Probably not.
Are Nutrition Drinks Good For You?
Well, they are. But there is a catch.
Supplemental nutrition drinks can be of great help if you have trouble preparing balanced meals. In today’s fast-paced world, that is often a problem.
But we need to understand these are not magic bullets of nutrition. If you are already having a balanced diet and are getting various nutrients through various forms, adding nutritional drinks to your diet would only mean more calories (1).
Some nutritional drinks may also contain more sugar. Make it a habit to check the nutrition labels.
If you have a health condition, it is better you check with your doctor/nutritionist before going for a nutrition drink.
Conclusion
With a changing world, we need to change our ways and methods to ensure absolute health and vitality. That way, nutrition drinks may have an important role to play.
But it is equally important not to overdo them. Be wary of the calories you consume. Have a word with your healthcare provider. Make regular exercise and adequate sleep priorities as well.
Which of the nutrition drinks is your favorite? Why? Do share your thoughts with us by leaving a comment in the box below.
References
- “Supplemental nutrition drinks...” Harvard Medical School.