Ensure is a popular nutritional supplement often recommended for people who need extra calories, protein, and vitamins. It’s frequently used by older adults, patients recovering from illness or surgery, or anyone struggling to meet their daily nutritional needs through food alone. At one point, I heard a rumor about people stealing Ensure and selling it on the black market for it’s protein and nutrition benefits? But a common question patients me ask is: Does Ensure cause constipation?
Why Constipation Can Happen
All of this is also applicable to other protein shakes. Constipation isn’t a listed side effect of Ensure itself, but it can occur in some people for a few reasons:
High Protein, Low Fiber Content – Most Ensure products are designed for calorie and protein supplementation, not fiber intake. If Ensure replaces high-fiber meals, it may contribute to constipation. Ensure has between 9-30g of protein (depending on if you’re doing the Original or the Max Protein), and only 1 g of fiber. So it’s great for building muscle, but not so great for your hemorrhoids. For this same reason, constipation is also a common complaint I hear when people switch to a high-protein diet!
Â
Â
Â
Change in Diet – Introducing a new supplement may disrupt normal bowel habits, especially if overall hydration or fiber is low. If you’re only drinking shakes and not drinking enough water, you may get constipated.
Individual Sensitivity – Some people may find the added vitamins, minerals, or sweeteners in Ensure affect their digestion.
How to Prevent Constipation While Using Ensure
Stay Hydrated – Aim for at least 6–8 glasses of water per day in addition to the Ensure.
Add Fiber – Choose Ensure with added fiber (like Ensure High Fiber) or include fruits, vegetables, or whole grains with meals, or take a supplement.
Stay Active – Even light walking can help stimulate bowel movements because gravity stimulates colon motility.
The Bottom Line
Ensure itself doesn’t directly cause constipation, but when it’s used as a meal replacement without balancing fiber and fluids, constipation can develop. If constipation becomes persistent, talk with your healthcare provider—you may need a fiber supplement or a different nutritional drink. Protein is NOT fiber. You can’t just drink a protein shake all day without eating real food and expect to poop!
Until next time, that’s just the way the anus wrinkles.
