View Full Version : Anyone use "Ensure or Equate" on the trail?
I haven't read every thread on trail food but have read quite a few and haven't seen anyone mention Ensure or Equate as a trail food. I just picked up a 14 oz can of Ensure powder that can be mixed with water and one serving supplies about 25% of the daily requirement for most nutrients. There are about 7 servings per can. Sounds like a pretty light alternative for a quick pick me up on the trail. :D
shelterbuilder
12-09-2009, 16:10
I haven't read every thread on trail food but have read quite a few and haven't seen anyone mention Ensure or Equate as a trail food. I just picked up a 14 oz can of Ensure powder that can be mixed with water and one serving supplies about 25% of the daily requirement for most nutrients. There are about 7 servings per can. Sounds like a pretty light alternative for a quick pick me up on the trail. :D
Haven't used either of these, but...
2 1/2 years ago, I had a complete laryngectomy (vocal cord cancer) and I developed a post-op fistula (hole) in my neck (right through to the esophagus) which made eating the normal way impossible. For over 18 months, I "ate" through a feeding tube that by-passed the esophagus and ran directly into the stomach. I lived on 8 oz. cans of Carnation Instant Breakfast (Nestle C.I.B.) and a protein supplement, and when I went backpacking, the cans came along!:eek: Ten cans a day for a weekend trip in 3-season weather and 12 cans a day in the winter; 325 cal per can (you can do the math).
I didn't use the powdered stuff because of tube-clogging issues, but this wouldn't be an issue for normal folks. (And yes, I finally had the fistula closed surgically, and am eating again - perhaps a bit too well, in fact! :eek::D)
H (And yes, I finally had the fistula closed surgically, and am eating again - perhaps a bit too well, in fact! :eek::D)
Good news.
Turkey day fun?
Okie Dokie
12-09-2009, 16:38
I've used Gatorlode before...it's marketed to athletes (or wannabes) as a performance enhancer or diet supplement...carbs, protein, minerals, etc...didn't buy it, someone gave it to me...carried and drank a couple of quarts of it a day (noon and supper) for about 4 days and honestly couldn't tell any difference in the way I felt....eventually gave the remainder to another hiker...I'd guess you probably couldn't go wrong with Ensure or Equate as long as you like the taste...
Old Hiker
12-09-2009, 16:41
Haven't used either of these, but...
2 1/2 years ago, I had a complete laryngectomy (vocal cord cancer) and I developed a post-op fistula (hole) in my neck (right through to the esophagus) which made eating the normal way impossible. For over 18 months, I "ate" through a feeding tube that by-passed the esophagus and ran directly into the stomach. I lived on 8 oz. cans of Carnation Instant Breakfast (Nestle C.I.B.) and a protein supplement, and when I went backpacking, the cans came along!:eek: Ten cans a day for a weekend trip in 3-season weather and 12 cans a day in the winter; 325 cal per can (you can do the math).
I didn't use the powdered stuff because of tube-clogging issues, but this wouldn't be an issue for normal folks. (And yes, I finally had the fistula closed surgically, and am eating again - perhaps a bit too well, in fact! :eek::D)
Shelterbuilder,
First, my prayers for a complete remission. I don't know what else to say.
Second, let's see, how to ask, how to ask? Any problems in the...... bathroom area with a liquid diet? I'm serious, as I'm looking at calorie counts and weights for mid-day and evening meals. On my section hikes so far, I found that 3 packs of oatmeal don't last long enough, even with mid-morning GORP type snacks. I needed 700 calories at least to feel good through lunch, with another 500 - 700 to hold me until evening. If I got hungry, I'd get tired and start to drop.
God bless you and yours.
gardenville
12-09-2009, 17:44
Hi,
I had cancer in my neck and throat area and lived through the treatment but with a few side effects.
I have been on a 100% diet of Ensure or other liquid diet food since the summer of 2005.
I had to use a feeding tube at first but was able to learn how to drink the stuff. Life was much better being able to drink vs feeding tube.
I am currently on 6 to 7 cans of Ensure at 350 calories per can, per day. I was able to gain my weight back and now can hold my weight where I want it, about 158. When I was able - sort of - to try hiking again I discovered that Ensure came in a dry or power form. This gave me a food source that was very light vs calories. I have used the power form for a couple of hikes with no problems. When hiking I mix the dry Ensure 1/2 cup dry (2.23 ounces equals 250 calories) to 6 ounces of water.
The questions about "what goes in one end - and how does it come out the other - less bulk in, less bulk out. For me it has been more or less like it was with real food.
I think the subject is important and I don't have a problem talking about this. If you have questions you don't want to post here send me a PM.
Mix up your dry Ensure and drink it for a couple of days or longer and see how your body likes it.
I started adding a coffee scoop of Carnation Breakfast Drink mix to it for a better flavor. I no longer need the Carnation mix but would still carry it hiking and drink it alone as a warm drink at night or in the morning.
shelterbuilder
12-09-2009, 20:38
Shelterbuilder,
First, my prayers for a complete remission. I don't know what else to say.
Second, let's see, how to ask, how to ask? Any problems in the...... bathroom area with a liquid diet? I'm serious, as I'm looking at calorie counts and weights for mid-day and evening meals. On my section hikes so far, I found that 3 packs of oatmeal don't last long enough, even with mid-morning GORP type snacks. I needed 700 calories at least to feel good through lunch, with another 500 - 700 to hold me until evening. If I got hungry, I'd get tired and start to drop.
God bless you and yours.
So far, so good - at first, they tried radiation and less radical surgery (trying to kill the cancer but save my voice), but the PET scan numbers didn't look good right from the start. A year and a half later, the cancer was back and they had no other choice but to do the laryngectomy. (The radiation was the probable reason that the fistula developed after the surgery.)
As for bathroom-time - once my system got used to a liquid diet, there was no problem, just a smooth, easy move!:o Calorie-wise, I'd have 2 little cans for breakfast, 2 for lunch, and 2 for dinner. The only change was my mid-morning and mid-afternoon "snacks": on my 3-season trips, I'd only have 1 can for each, while in the wintertime, I'd have 2 each. And I can honestly say that, while I was on the liquid diet, physically, I'd never felt better! Plenty of energy with no blood sugar spikes/drops - it seemed like I could hike all day. Of course, some of THAT may have been mental - just being glad to be alive and back out on the trail and enjoying God's goodness!:D
And, yes, Mudhead - Turkey Day was a blast - we went to our son's house to celebrate with Chris and Jessica and the 2 grandkids...and a drumstick instead of a couple of cans!:banana:banana
So far, so good - at first, they tried radiation and less radical surgery (trying to kill the cancer but save my voice), but the PET scan numbers didn't look good right from the start. A year and a half later, the cancer was back and they had no other choice but to do the laryngectomy. (The radiation was the probable reason that the fistula developed after the surgery.)
My sincere hope for a long and cancer free rest of your life. I think you answered my question. I person can live on the stuff. I know I would need something to crunch on also but I thought the Ensure might be a good backup.
I usually take Whey Protien Supplemental Powder for breakfast. I put one scoop into a ziplock, along with 1/3 powdered milk. Just add water.
Fiddleback
12-10-2009, 09:07
I started adding a coffee scoop of Carnation Breakfast Drink mix to it for a better flavor. I no longer need the Carnation mix but would still carry it hiking and drink it alone as a warm drink at night or in the morning.
That, mixed with NIDO and with a couple Logan bread bars to chew on, is my standard trail breakfast. Lightweight, high calorie, high in nutrients and light in the gut while hoofin' down the trail. Not to mention easy prep/clean up.:sun
FB
You could do a whole thru hike on ensure, butterscotch is my favorite.Medifast is some good stuff too, Its loaded like ensure yet one still would need some oilfat iffin ye desided to do powder So to obtain some good oil fat just bring along some olive oil.