Glucerna products are intended to help with the dietary management of diabetes under medical supervision. People without diabetes should substitute other nutritional products, such as Ensure^®, AdvantEdge^®, or ZonePerfect^®, in place of Glucerna products in their meal plan. It is important to mention to your health care professional that you are using these products so that any medical conditions you might have can be taken into consideration.

Glucerna products are appropriate for people with type 1 diabetes. It is important to monitor your sugar regularly to see how these products affect your blood sugar, as well as your insulin needs. Glucerna products contain blends of carbohydrates that are slowly digested to help minimize peaks in blood sugar. We encourage you to discuss any changes with your health care professional and, if you do intend to focus on weight loss, consult your health care professional on your specific goals. Weight loss does affect blood sugar levels and insulin needs.

In people with diabetes, Glucerna products should not be used to treat hypoglycemia, insulin shock, or insulin reaction, because these products are not absorbed quickly enough to restore blood sugar to a normal level. Talk to your health care professional about appropriate treatment options for low blood sugar reactions.

It’s important to point out the difference between hypoglycemia in people without diabetes and low blood sugar due to the treatment of diabetes. We have not studied Glucerna products specifically in people without diabetes with low blood sugar (called hypoglycemia). People with hypoglycemia often are told to eat several small meals/snacks per day, including protein and whole grains. Consult your physician or health care professional for more information on diet and hypoglycemia.

No specific studies have been done with Glucerna products in a population of pregnant women with diabetes or with gestational diabetes. Nursing and pregnant moms with diabetes should be aware of the vitamin and mineral nutrient contents listed on the labels and discuss their use when combined with maternal vitamins and minerals taken in addition to food choices with their doctors. Nursing and pregnant moms should consult with doctors or dietitians to see how Glucerna products would best fit into prescribed meal plans.

We do not calculate glycemic index values for our adult medical nutritional products.

The glycemic index (GI) ranks carbohydrate foods on how quickly the carbohydrates enter the bloodstream and elevates blood sugar. Quickly digested and metabolized carbohydrates have the highest glycemic index. The blood sugar response to these products is fast and high. Slowly digested carbohydrates, such as those in Glucerna Shakes and Bars, have a low glycemic index and release glucose gradually into the bloodstream. The blood sugar response to these products is slow and steady.

Glucerna Shakes are available in four delicious flavors: Rich Chocolate, Homemade Vanilla, Creamy Strawberry, and Classic Butter Pecan.

The entire line of Glucerna products can be purchased nationwide at pharmacies, grocery stores, and major discount stores.

Glucerna Shakes provides 2 carb choices or, if using the exchange system, each shake provides 1 starch, 1 low-fat milk, and 1 fat.

Yes, Glucerna Shakes contain sucralose and acesulfame potassium.

Yes, Glucerna Shakes have been studied in people with diabetes.¹

¹Data on file. Study BK02. Abbott Nutrition, February 2006.

Glycerine, a sugar alcohol, is an ingredient in Glucerna Shakes and Snack Shakes. Glycerine is a low-glycemic carbohydrate that functions as a sweetener. Like maltitol, glycerine is classified as a sugar alcohol. However, unlike maltitol, which is only partially metabolized and provides 2 calories per gram, glycerine is completely metabolized like a carbohydrate and provides 4 calories per gram. This difference in metabolism is key to removing the risk for GI side effects.

Glycerine is declared as GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) by the FDA and has an upper threshold of 125 grams per day. Glycerine also may be referred to as glycerol; they are the same substance. Glycerine is listed with the ingredients on Glucerna products. There are 3.8 grams of glycerine in Glucerna Shakes and 3.0 grams in Glucerna Snack Shakes. This included in the total carbohydrate grams claimed on the product label.

Glucerna Shakes and Snack Shakes are gluten-free and suitable for lactose intolerance, but not for people with galactosemia.

No, Glucerna Shakes and Snack Shakes are not designed to be used for tube feeding, nor as a sole source of nutrition.

Glucerna Shakes are sold in six-bottle packs with the suggested retail price of $9.99. You can find them alongside other Glucerna products near the pharmacy section of retail stores throughout the country.

Glucerna Shakes and Snack Shakes can be used by children 9 years of age and older with the guidance of a pediatric health care professional. For children ages 4 to 8 years, they should only be substituted occasionally into the meal plan by a health care professional (considering that one 8-fl-oz bottle of Glucerna Shake provides half of the child's estimated daily protein need and has a nutrient profile designed for adults). Glucerna Shakes and Snack Shakes should not be used in children younger than 4 years of age.

Children with diabetes typically have a meal plan that is developed and adjusted with the assistance of the child's health care team (often including a pediatric dietitian, nurse, endocrinologist, and pediatrician). The child may need to balance food and beverage intake, activity, and possibly insulin. The child and family learn a system for planning meals and snacks and for making substitutions. Glucerna Shakes and Snack Shakes have not been studied in the pediatric age group. However, a school-aged child who likes Glucerna Shakes or Snack Shakes may be able to substitute one occasionally in the meal plan with the initial assistance of a health care professional.

Glucerna Snack Shakes were designed as a snack and formulated to have similar caloric value to Glucerna Snack Bars. Snacking is an important part of a diabetes management plan to help manage blood sugar levels and weight. Glucerna Snack Shakes are fortified at 15 percent of the DV for vitamins/minerals, reflective of its use as a snack.

Glucerna Snack Shakes provide 1 carb choice or, if using the exchange system, each Snack Shake provides 1 starch and 1 medium-fat meat.

Yes, Glucerna Snack Shakes contain sucralose and acesulfame potassium.

Glucerna Snack Shakes are similar in color and consistency. Glucerna Snack Shakes are available in Rich Chocolate and Homemade Vanilla.

The 140-calorie, 8-fl-oz shakes are available in two classic flavors: Rich Chocolate and Homemade Vanilla. Glucerna Snack Shakes are sold in four-can packs with the suggested retail price of $5.99. Glucerna Snack Shakes can be found with other Glucerna products near the pharmacy section of retail stores throughout the country.

Fructose is part of the carbohydrate blend in Glucerna products that helps minimize blood sugar response. The postprandial (after consumption) blood sugar response to fructose is less than that of other sugars, such as comparable amounts of sucrose.

Freezing will not alter the nutrient composition of Glucerna Meal Bars and Snack Bars. The coating of the bar may have a different appearance after it has been frozen. Be careful not to bite into a completely frozen bar because of the possibility of tooth damage.

Glucerna Meal Bars and Snack Bars have less than 5 mg of caffeine per bar.

The amount of time for absorption is a very individualized matter and will vary among people. We do know that there will be a lower peak blood sugar response to the Glucerna Snack Bars than to a standard snack bar. This was found by completing a clinical study in which people with diabetes consumed the bars over a time period of 240 minutes. Click here to view a blood sugar response graph for Glucerna Snack Bars.

Please refer to product labels for most current lactose information.

Sugar content varies among Glucerna Meal Bars and Snack Bars. The value for sugar on the Nutrition Facts label is included along with fructose, maltodextrin, and honey in the total carbohydrate amount. The unique carbohydrate blends (including the sugars) in Glucerna Meal Bars and Snack Bars are designed to produce a lower blood sugar response compared to a leading standard nutritional bar. Glucerna Meal Bars and Snack Bars do not contain sucrose (which is what many people think of as sugar). Click here to view a blood sugar response graph for Glucerna Meal Bars and Snack Bars.

Partially hydrogenated oils are used to provide stability (to keep solid form) to the coating on Glucerna Meal Bars and Snack Bars. The trans fat content of all Glucerna Meal Bars and Snack Bars is 0 grams.

The Chocolate Chunk and Chocolate Peanut Glucerna Meal Bars contain acesulfame potassium (Ace K). The Caramel Nut, Chocolate Caramel, and Blueberry Snack Bars also contain acesulfame potassium (Ace K).

With the guidance of a pediatric health care professional, Glucerna Meal Bars and Snack Bars can be used by children 4 years old or older. The nutritional profile of the bars was designed for adult needs, not the needs of children. Therefore, the nutrients provided must be taken into consideration within the meal plan. Glucerna Meal Bars and Snack Bars should not be used in children younger than 4 years of age.

Children with diabetes typically have a meal plan that is developed and adjusted with the assistance of the child's health care team (often including a pediatric dietitian, nurse, endocrinologist, and pediatrician). The child may need to balance food and beverage intake, activity, and possibly insulin. The child and family learn a system for planning meals and snacks and for making substitutions. Glucerna Meal Bars and Snack Bars have not been studied in the pediatric age group. However, a school-aged child who likes Glucerna Meal Bars and Snack Bars may be able to incorporate them occasionally in the meal plan with the initial assistance of a health care professional.

Glucerna Mini-Snack Bars are intended to be tasty, convenient between-meal snacks for use as part of a diabetes management plan. Consistent carbohydrate intake throughout the day is important for overall control of blood sugar levels. Snacking is a key part of achieving consistent carbohydrate intake, as well as maintaining good glycemic control throughout the day. Glucerna Mini-Snack Bars offer another option for people with diabetes to help manage their blood sugar at their snacking occasions. Glucerna Mini-Snack Bars contain blends of slowly digested carbohydrates with a balance of protein and fat.

One Glucerna Mini-Snack Bar (20 g) is a single serving.

Glucerna Mini-Snack Bar usage depends on a person’s calorie needs and blood sugar management plan under the advisement of a health care professional. Glucerna Mini-Snack Bars are intended to be tasty, convenient between-meal snacks for use as part of a diabetes management plan. Consistent carbohydrate intake throughout the day is important for overall control of blood sugar levels. Snacking is often a key part of achieving consistent carbohydrate intake, as well as maintaining good glycemic control throughout the day.

Glucerna Mini-Snack Bars contain gluten. See the ingredients listing on the individual bar wrapper and box for more detailed information.

Glucerna Mini-Snack Bars are available in two tasty flavors: Chocolate Peanut and Oatmeal Raisin. They have a suggested retail price of $5.49 for an eight-bar box.

Glucerna Mini-Snack Bars are designed to be consumed as a between-meal snack as part of a diabetes management plan. The Chocolate Peanut flavor provides 80 calories, and the Cinnamon Bun and Oatmeal Raisin flavors provide 70 calories. They could be part of a meal or consumed with another Glucerna product, depending on a person’s calorie needs and blood sugar management plan.

Glucerna Mini-Snack Bars can be used by people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. We have not studied Glucerna Mini-Snack Bars in people with hypoglycemia. People with hypoglycemia often are told to eat small, frequent meals, including protein and whole grains. Glucerna Mini-Snack Bars have been shown to produce a lower sugar response than a leading snack bar. Glucerna Mini-Snack Bars may be appropriate for people with hypoglycemia as a part of their overall diet, but not to treat a hypoglycemic episode (see below). Therefore, it is suggested that a health care professional provide guidance on how Glucerna Mini-Snack Bars can be incorporated into the meal plan.

Note: Glucerna Mini-Snack Bars should not be used to treat insulin reaction, diabetic shock, or insulin shock because they are not absorbed quickly enough to restore blood sugar to a normal level.

With the guidance of a pediatric health care professional, Glucerna Mini-Snack Bars can be used by children 4 years old or older. The nutritional profile of the bars was designed for adult needs, not the needs of children. Therefore, the nutrients provided must be taken into consideration within the meal plan. Glucerna Mini-Snack Bars should not be used in children younger than 4 years of age.

Children with diabetes typically have a meal plan that is developed and adjusted with the assistance of the child's health care team (often including a pediatric dietitian, nurse, endocrinologist, and pediatrician). The child may need to balance food and beverage intake, activity, and possibly insulin. The child and family learn a system for planning meals and snacks and for making substitutions. Glucerna Mini-Snack Bars have not been studied in the pediatric age group. However, a school-aged child who likes Glucerna Mini-Snack Bars may be able to incorporate them occasionally in the meal plan with the initial assistance of a health care professional.

Just like with any other food, a person with diabetes should check his or her blood sugar before and one to two hours after consuming Glucerna Mini-Snack Bars to determine the effect on blood sugar. This response should be taken into consideration with his or her diabetes medication plan.

Yes, Glucerna Mini-Snack Bars contain 10 percent of the Daily Value of vitamin K, or 8 micrograms per 20-gram bar.

Please refer to product label for most current ingredient, allergen, and nutrient information.

Each Glucerna Mini-Snack Bar provides 1 carb choice or, if using the exchange system, each Glucerna Mini-Snack Bar provides 1 starch and 1 fat.

The unique carbohydrate blend includes corn maltodextrin (including Fibersol), fructose, maltitol and/or lactitol, and glycerine to help manage blood sugar response.