Thread: Cooking with Ensure?

"bulka" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Ensure is made of a scarily long list of chemicals, and tastes like
> it. Still, one of my 90yo Dad's random doctors perscibed it, so I've
> a case or two of the powdered version.
>
> I feed him pretty well. He's never been a "milkshake" kinda guy, and
> I'd rather he eat real food, but I want to trust the doctors.
>
> We are never going to get through this case. Only on the rare days
> like today, when he wakes up from another long nap, at 8:30 in the
> evening and I tell him I've chicken, sweetcorn and a salad, and he
> says "I'm not eating cicken for breakfast! I want cereal." Then I
> sneak it in - as creamer in the coffee, in the oatmeal. I've put it
> in apple pies.
>
> The question: Have you ever done this sneaky stuff? Have you used a
> chemical suppliment as an ingredient in an otherwise normal recipe?
> ("special" brownies don't count)
>
> Oh, and I learned a new word from the lable - "Not for parenteral
> use."
>
> Bulka
>
>
"Not for parenteral use" means you're not supposed to inject it. Beyond
that Ensure is a liquid balanced diet that will keep you going until you can
eat again normally. At that point hopefully you would eat a balanced diet
and your gastrointestional tract would be able to handle it.

Ed

In article
<[email protected]>,
bulka <[email protected]> wrote:

> Ensure is made of a scarily long list of chemicals, and tastes like
> it. Still, one of my 90yo Dad's random doctors perscibed it, so I've
> a case or two of the powdered version.
>
> I feed him pretty well. He's never been a "milkshake" kinda guy, and
> I'd rather he eat real food, but I want to trust the doctors.
>
> We are never going to get through this case. Only on the rare days
> like today, when he wakes up from another long nap, at 8:30 in the
> evening and I tell him I've chicken, sweetcorn and a salad, and he
> says "I'm not eating cicken for breakfast! I want cereal." Then I
> sneak it in - as creamer in the coffee, in the oatmeal. I've put it
> in apple pies.
>
> The question: Have you ever done this sneaky stuff? Have you used a
> chemical suppliment as an ingredient in an otherwise normal recipe?
> ("special" brownies don't count)
>
> Oh, and I learned a new word from the lable - "Not for parenteral
> use."
>
> Bulka

Yes. I've added Vionate and vitamin D capsules to dad's egg Omelets.
I've also added both to soups and stews.

When taking care of an elderly parent, anything goes if you can
supplement their nutrition. ;-)

As for Ensure, it's crap. I've talked to more than one Dr. that agrees
with me. Too bad he won't drink shakes! I kept my dad alive for 4 weeks
on protein shakes I formulated and he only lost 5 lbs. He finally came
out of it and started eating real food again... I supplemented his diet
with them for 2 more weeks while his appetite built back up again.

My dad is 77.

I'll post the recipe for you if you need.
--
Peace! Om

"Human nature seems to be to control other people until they put their foot down."
--Steve Rothstein

[email protected]
Subscribe: [email protected]

bulka <[email protected]> wrote:

> Ensure is made of a scarily long list of chemicals, and tastes like
> it. Still, one of my 90yo Dad's random doctors perscibed it, so I've
> a case or two of the powdered version.

See <http://ensure.com/recipes/index.aspx>.

Victor

On Aug 30, 2:23 am, "Theron" <oa...@rocketmail.com> wrote:
> "bulka" <working.artists.work...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:[email protected]...
>
> > Ensure is made of a scarily long list of chemicals, and tastes like
> > it. Still, one of my 90yo Dad's random doctors perscibed it, so I've
> > a case or two of the powdered version.
>
> > I feed him pretty well. He's never been a "milkshake" kinda guy, and
> > I'd rather he eat real food, but I want to trust the doctors.
>
> > We are never going to get through this case. Only on the rare days
> > like today, when he wakes up from another long nap, at 8:30 in the
> > evening and I tell him I've chicken, sweetcorn and a salad, and he
> > says "I'm not eating cicken for breakfast! I want cereal." Then I
> > sneak it in - as creamer in the coffee, in the oatmeal. I've put it
> > in apple pies.
>
> > The question: Have you ever done this sneaky stuff? Have you used a
> > chemical suppliment as an ingredient in an otherwise normal recipe?
> > ("special" brownies don't count)
>
> > Oh, and I learned a new word from the lable - "Not for parenteral
> > use."
>
> > Bulka
>
> "Not for parenteral use" means you're not supposed to inject it. Beyond
> that Ensure is a liquid balanced diet that will keep you going until you can
> eat again normally. At that point hopefully you would eat a balanced diet
> and your gastrointestional tract would be able to handle it.
>
> Ed

Thanks. I've been called on this. The heading was above advice to
use it up within 24 h, no mention how to get it in. I misread it as
"par-eternal". Nor for "almost forever" use.

On Aug 30, 2:55 am, azaze...@koroviev.de (Victor Sack) wrote:
> bulka <working.artists.work...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Ensure is made of a scarily long list of chemicals, and tastes like
> > it. Still, one of my 90yo Dad's random doctors perscibed it, so I've
> > a case or two of the powdered version.
>
> See <http://ensure.com/recipes/index.aspx>.
>
> Victor

Thanks, Victor. It's past my bedtime, I'll check it tomorrow.

As for the "list of chemicals". I know. Everything is chemicals.
Your favorite, homemade, most basic stock - list the ingredients as :
carrot, onion, celery, chicken , water, salt. Sounds simple and
healthy. Take a sample to a chem lab for analysis - probably a longer
unpronouncable list than the supplement from Abbot Labs. A chemist
would argue that a molecule is a molecule, but I'd rather eat a
carrot.

B

"bulka" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Aug 30, 2:23 am, "Theron" <oa...@rocketmail.com> wrote:
>> "bulka" <working.artists.work...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>>
>> news:[email protected]...
>>
>> > Ensure is made of a scarily long list of chemicals, and tastes like
>> > it. Still, one of my 90yo Dad's random doctors perscibed it, so I've
>> > a case or two of the powdered version.
>>
>> > I feed him pretty well. He's never been a "milkshake" kinda guy, and
>> > I'd rather he eat real food, but I want to trust the doctors.
>>
>> > We are never going to get through this case. Only on the rare days
>> > like today, when he wakes up from another long nap, at 8:30 in the
>> > evening and I tell him I've chicken, sweetcorn and a salad, and he
>> > says "I'm not eating cicken for breakfast! I want cereal." Then I
>> > sneak it in - as creamer in the coffee, in the oatmeal. I've put it
>> > in apple pies.
>>
>> > The question: Have you ever done this sneaky stuff? Have you used a
>> > chemical suppliment as an ingredient in an otherwise normal recipe?
>> > ("special" brownies don't count)
>>
>> > Oh, and I learned a new word from the lable - "Not for parenteral
>> > use."
>>
>> > Bulka
>>
>> "Not for parenteral use" means you're not supposed to inject it. Beyond
>> that Ensure is a liquid balanced diet that will keep you going until you
>> can
>> eat again normally. At that point hopefully you would eat a balanced diet
>> and your gastrointestional tract would be able to handle it.
>>
>> Ed
>
> Thanks. I've been called on this. The heading was above advice to
> use it up within 24 h, no mention how to get it in. I misread it as
> "par-eternal". Nor for "almost forever" use.
>
>
Ensure is one of several food products used to feed patients via a feeding
tube when that's required, post op or other. It's also a balanced diet to
take orally if you need to be on a by mouth liquid diet for any reason. It's
always hoped that this is temporary.

Ed

"bulka" ha scritto nel messaggio
> Ensure is made of a scarily long list of chemicals, and tastes like> it.
> Still, one of my 90yo Dad's random doctors perscibed it, so I've> a case
> or two of the powdered version.

Think on this... I have a friend in the US who lives on that because she has
mouth cancer and is still under treatment. They do not know if she will
ever get off it. If that isn't scary, I don't know what would be.

Omelet wrote:

> bulka <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Ensure is made of a scarily long list of chemicals, and tastes like
>> it. Still, one of my 90yo Dad's random doctors perscibed it, so I've
>> a case or two of the powdered version.

> As for Ensure, it's crap. I've talked to more than one Dr. that agrees
> with me.

Aren't there other supplement powders that are better? People
have mentioned them in the past. You get them from health
stores.

nancy

bulka <[email protected]> news:f446e923-ed3a-49ed-95b4-
[email protected]: in rec.food.cooking

>
> The question: Have you ever done this sneaky stuff? Have you used a
> chemical suppliment as an ingredient in an otherwise normal recipe?
> ("special" brownies don't count)
>
> Oh, and I learned a new word from the lable - "Not for parenteral
> use."

I used to put the junk in puddings and sauces when I had to eat it. Not
that I had the appetite for much "real" food at that time but at least it
was better than Jell-O. Smoothies made with it were good. I tried to make
home made ice cream with it but failed miserably. Good luck

Michael

--
“Always tell the truth - it's the easiest thing to remember”
~ American Playwright David Mamet

You can find me at: - michael at lonergan dot us dot com

Nancy Young wrote:
> Omelet wrote:
>
>> bulka <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>> Ensure is made of a scarily long list of chemicals, and tastes like
>>> it. Still, one of my 90yo Dad's random doctors perscibed it, so
>>> I've a case or two of the powdered version.
>
>> As for Ensure, it's crap. I've talked to more than one Dr. that
>> agrees with me.
>
> Aren't there other supplement powders that are better? People
> have mentioned them in the past. You get them from health
> stores.

Now that I'm a little more awake, I think bulka's already got a
case of the powder, so forget running out and buying another
brand.

nancy

In article <xcvmm.35140$[email protected]>,
"Nancy Young" <[email protected]> wrote:

> Omelet wrote:
>
> > bulka <[email protected]> wrote:
> >
> >> Ensure is made of a scarily long list of chemicals, and tastes like
> >> it. Still, one of my 90yo Dad's random doctors perscibed it, so I've
> >> a case or two of the powdered version.
>
> > As for Ensure, it's crap. I've talked to more than one Dr. that agrees
> > with me.
>
> Aren't there other supplement powders that are better? People
> have mentioned them in the past. You get them from health
> stores.
>
> nancy

Spot on Nancy.

MetRx being just one of many.

Body Building MRP's (Meal Replacement Powders) are better supplemented
and have a LOT less crap in them. Whey protein based ones are considered
to be the best.

Tooooo many Dr's are way behind on nutritional research.
--
Peace! Om

"Human nature seems to be to control other people until they put their foot down."
--Steve Rothstein

[email protected]
Subscribe: [email protected]

In article <8kvmm.35141$[email protected]>,
"Nancy Young" <[email protected]> wrote:

> Nancy Young wrote:
> > Omelet wrote:
> >
> >> bulka <[email protected]> wrote:
> >>
> >>> Ensure is made of a scarily long list of chemicals, and tastes like
> >>> it. Still, one of my 90yo Dad's random doctors perscibed it, so
> >>> I've a case or two of the powdered version.
> >
> >> As for Ensure, it's crap. I've talked to more than one Dr. that
> >> agrees with me.
> >
> > Aren't there other supplement powders that are better? People
> > have mentioned them in the past. You get them from health
> > stores.
>
> Now that I'm a little more awake, I think bulka's already got a
> case of the powder, so forget running out and buying another
> brand.
>
> nancy

For now anyway.

Caring for an elderly parent is a big responsibility.
Ask me how I know.

It's harder than caring for a child too as they have a will of their
own. ;-) Plus he's bigger and stronger than me.

He's not had a shower since March. <sigh>
--
Peace! Om

"Human nature seems to be to control other people until they put their foot down."
--Steve Rothstein

[email protected]
Subscribe: [email protected]

Omelet wrote:

> "Nancy Young" <[email protected]> wrote:

>> Now that I'm a little more awake, I think bulka's already got a
>> case of the powder, so forget running out and buying another
>> brand.

> Caring for an elderly parent is a big responsibility.
> Ask me how I know.

Believe me, I know.

> It's harder than caring for a child too as they have a will of their
> own. ;-) Plus he's bigger and stronger than me.

Yup. I consider my inlaw's caregivers to be heaven sent. Angels.
It's a heck of a job keeping older people fed and clean when they
are stubborn and don't want to cooperate.

> He's not had a shower since March. <sigh>

My fil thought the water was needles. Alz sucks. Thank goodness
we had these women who kept it all together for them until the
end. I do admire what you're doing, don't think I don't get it.

nancy

In article <qJvmm.35144$[email protected]>,
"Nancy Young" <[email protected]> wrote:

> Omelet wrote:
>
> > "Nancy Young" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >> Now that I'm a little more awake, I think bulka's already got a
> >> case of the powder, so forget running out and buying another
> >> brand.
>
> > Caring for an elderly parent is a big responsibility.
> > Ask me how I know.
>
> Believe me, I know.
>
> > It's harder than caring for a child too as they have a will of their
> > own. ;-) Plus he's bigger and stronger than me.
>
> Yup. I consider my inlaw's caregivers to be heaven sent. Angels.
> It's a heck of a job keeping older people fed and clean when they
> are stubborn and don't want to cooperate.
>
> > He's not had a shower since March. <sigh>
>
> My fil thought the water was needles. Alz sucks. Thank goodness
> we had these women who kept it all together for them until the
> end. I do admire what you're doing, don't think I don't get it.
>
> nancy

Thanks hon'. :-)

He's a bit delusional, but at least he can still drive to the store and
no get lost.

Yet. <sigh>
--
Peace! Om

"Human nature seems to be to control other people until they put their foot down."
--Steve Rothstein

[email protected]
Subscribe: [email protected]

Giusi wrote:
> "bulka" ha scritto nel messaggio
>> Ensure is made of a scarily long list of chemicals, and tastes like> it.
>> Still, one of my 90yo Dad's random doctors perscibed it, so I've> a case
>> or two of the powdered version.
>
> Think on this... I have a friend in the US who lives on that because she has
> mouth cancer and is still under treatment. They do not know if she will
> ever get off it. If that isn't scary, I don't know what would be.
>


When I was having radiation for tongue cancer, I lost all of my taste
buds and my mouth was a burned up mess. I tried Ensure but even without
tasting it I gagged on it. When I could get it down, it came back up. I
tried Boost and it was much easier to tolerate. I don't know why.

I lived on high-protein Boost for about 3 months. It was pretty much my
only nutrition and it kept me alive. I knew when my taste buds were
coming back because I could discern a difference between chocolate and
vanilla. Couldn't taste either flavor, but I could tell they were different.

Tell your friend that there is a good support organization called
SPOHNC. She might want to contact them. Radiation treatment for head and
neck cancer (this includes oral cancer) is the most punishing of any
radiation therapy. It destroys the tissues in your mouth, changes the
consistency of saliva and commonly destroys salivary glands. I was lucky
in that I was at one of the two top treatment centers for oral cancer
and they have ways to mitigate the destruction of salivary glands. It is
very important to be treated at a major cancer center if you have oral
cancer.

--
Janet Wilder
Way-the-heck-south Texas
Spelling doesn't count. Cooking does.

"Nancy Young" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:xcvmm.35140$[email protected]..
> Omelet wrote:
>
>> bulka <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>> Ensure is made of a scarily long list of chemicals, and tastes like
>>> it. Still, one of my 90yo Dad's random doctors perscibed it, so I've
>>> a case or two of the powdered version.
>
>> As for Ensure, it's crap. I've talked to more than one Dr. that agrees
>> with me.
>
> Aren't there other supplement powders that are better? People have
> mentioned them in the past. You get them from health
> stores.
> nancy

All pretty much the same, no more difference than Coke and Pepsi. Those
nutritional suppliments are best blended with fresh fruits, natural flavors,
and dairy products as one would use to build a smoothie. When I used that
stuff I would freeze fruit juices in ice cube trays to put in my blender,
was better than plain water; the chocolate Ensure isn't so off putting when
blended with your own frozen coffee cubes, a big scoop of chocolate ice
cream, and a spoonful of orange marmalade. Flavored yogurt and ice cream
are good additions... Coco Lopez, pineapple juice, a frozen banana, and rum
made vanilla Ensure quite nice... after the third glass everything seemed
quite nice... during that time period I tried a lot of different rums. hehe
Horlicks is an excellent addition too. http://horlicks.com/flash/index.html

"Omelet" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news[email protected]..
> In article <8kvmm.35141$[email protected]>,
> "Nancy Young" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Nancy Young wrote:
>> > Omelet wrote:
>> >
>> >> bulka <[email protected]> wrote:
>> >>
>> >>> Ensure is made of a scarily long list of chemicals, and tastes like
>> >>> it. Still, one of my 90yo Dad's random doctors perscibed it, so
>> >>> I've a case or two of the powdered version.
>> >
>> >> As for Ensure, it's crap. I've talked to more than one Dr. that
>> >> agrees with me.
>> >
>> > Aren't there other supplement powders that are better? People
>> > have mentioned them in the past. You get them from health
>> > stores.
>>
>> Now that I'm a little more awake, I think bulka's already got a
>> case of the powder, so forget running out and buying another
>> brand.
>>
>> nancy
>
> For now anyway.
>
> Caring for an elderly parent is a big responsibility.
> Ask me how I know.
>
> It's harder than caring for a child too as they have a will of their
> own. ;-) Plus he's bigger and stronger than me.
>
> He's not had a shower since March. <sigh>
>
>
Does he go outdoors... there's always the garden hose. I'd give him a
choice, a shower or sprayed with Lysol every three hours.

"Omelet" wote:
>
> He's a bit delusional, but at least he can still drive to the store and
> not get lost.
>
>

You drive and shop too, he's no more delusional than you.

If he can drive a car and shop all by his ownself he ain't very bad off at
all... in fact there's nothing wrong with him other than spoiled rotten.
You got folks thinking like he's bedridden. Very next time he goes out to
drive give it to him real good with the garden hose, get a power washer with
one of those agri soap nozzles used to decontaminate feces encrusted
livestock and blast that stench offn him. That he doesn't bathe is entirely
your fault... he's old but he ain't sick, old is not an illness... he has
you hoodwinked. I wouldn't take his bull**** for another day, I'd toss him
out on his lazy, spoiled, controling ass... I betcha he goes for enchiladas
and beer while you're at work and here you are agonizing over why he won't
drink Ensure, why would he when he's hanging out at the local titty bar
scoffing wings and beer while you're working the night shift... you're the
one ain't right and needs care. And of course he's stronger than you... he
ain't sick! There's nothing wrong with him that a night on a park bench
won't fix.

bulka wrote:

>
> As for the "list of chemicals". I know. Everything is chemicals.
> Your favorite, homemade, most basic stock - list the ingredients as :
> carrot, onion, celery, chicken , water, salt. Sounds simple and
> healthy. Take a sample to a chem lab for analysis - probably a longer
> unpronouncable list than the supplement from Abbot Labs. A chemist
> would argue that a molecule is a molecule, but I'd rather eat a
> carrot.
>
> B



That reminds me of a conversation I had with my husband's step-father
when he was in his 90s and still the cantankerous old Yankee.

He showed me a carton of milk and asked why there were so many chemicals
added. I read the list and explained to him that those "chemicals" were
all the added vitamins in his fortified milk. I'm not sure he believed
me 100% even when I showed him the same list of names on his
multivitamin bottle.

gloria p