After you have consulted our FAQ section*, be sure to talk with your doctor about any specific health-related concerns.
For product-related questions, Contact Us.
Glucerna® is ready-to-use nutrition specifically designed for people with diabetes.
Ensure® and Glucerna® both provide complete, balanced nutrition that includes protein and 26 vitamins and minerals. Glucerna® is specifically designed for people with diabetes. For more information on Ensure®, please visit ensure.ca.
The health benefits of drinking Glucerna® include the following:
Glucerna® is complete, balanced nutrition designed for people with diabetes and can be used to replace or complement a meal or as a snack.
Glucerna® has a low glycemic index¶ because it contains slowly digested carbs, resulting in a lower blood sugar response.‡
Glucerna® is high in protein and fibre and provides 26 vitamins and minerals.
Glucerna® is the #1 doctor- and pharmacist-recommended brand.†
‡ Compared to a standard nutritional drink.
People without diabetes can safely consume Glucerna® products. Glucerna® nutritional drinks are specifically designed for people with diabetes or people trying to manage their blood sugar. People without diabetes can safely consume Glucerna® products. Glucerna® nutritional drinks are specifically designed for people with diabetes or people trying to manage their blood sugar.
Diabetes Canada recommends a high-fibre diet while limiting saturated fats for people with prediabetes. Glucerna® is high in fibre and low in saturated fats and it can be used by people with prediabetes.
Glucerna® products are appropriate for people with type 1 diabetes. It is important to monitor blood glucose regularly to see how Glucerna® products affect insulin needs. Glucerna® nutritional drinks contain slowly digested carbohydrates that have a low glycemic index¶, which results in a lower blood sugar response.
The decision to use Glucerna® products for anyone with chronic kidney disease (CKD) ultimately rests with the nephrologist/health care professional, who will assess the kidney patient’s needs on an individual basis. Abbott offers other options (such as Nepro® and Suplena®) for people with CKD to integrate into their management plans.
Yes, studies have been conducted with Glucerna® products in a population of pregnant women with diabetes or gestational diabetes. Nursing and pregnant women with diabetes should be aware of the product’s vitamin and mineral content (listed on the label) and should discuss Glucerna® usage when combined with other supplements (maternal vitamins and minerals) and daily food intake with a health care professional.
Nutrient levels in Glucerna® are designed to meet nutritional recommendations for adults. Consult a health care professional to help develop a plan incorporating Glucerna® products.
For people with or without diabetes, Glucerna® products should not be used to treat hypoglycemia, insulin shock or insulin reaction because the carbohydrates from Glucerna® do not elicit a large blood glucose response and would not help restore blood sugar. Talk to a health care professional about appropriate treatment options for low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Glucerna® products should be incorporated into a person’s diabetes meal plan and overall management plan. Studies support the use of Glucerna® in conjunction with a diabetes management plan.
Use Glucerna®nutritional drinks for people with diabetes anytime to replace or complement a meal or as a snack. Here are some common occasions when Glucerna® can help you:
- Instead of skipping breakfast
- To replace choices from vending machines, food courts and drive-throughs
- While driving
- As part of a weight management plan
- Before or after exercise
- On sick days, when eating is difficult
- When your appetite is low
- In recipes for people with diabetes
- As part of a diabetes meal plan
Glucerna® products can be used daily. Individual needs depend on many factors, including age, gender, level of activity and health status. Consult a health care professional to discuss the amount of Glucerna® that is right for you.
When starting Glucerna® products, the dose or timing of insulin or oral medications may need to be adjusted, and this adjustment must be individualized under the supervision of a health care professional. People with diabetes should carefully monitor their blood glucose before and two hours after consuming Glucerna® to determine how their blood glucose is affected. Once they determine this effect, the dose and timing of injections can be adjusted as necessary. Consult a health care professional for guidance.
Glucerna® Vanilla drink ingredients include:
Water, Corn maltodextrin fibre, Milk protein concentrate, Glycerin, High oleic safflower oil, Sugars (fructose), Corn maltodextrin, Soy protein, Canola oil, Sodium caseinate, Calcium caseinate, Soya oil, Short-chain Fructooligosaccharides (scFOS), Natural and artificial flavour, Soy lecithin, Carrageenan, Potassium hydroxide, Acesulfame-potassium, Turmeric, Sucralose, Minerals (potassium citrate, magnesium phosphate dibasic, tricalcium phosphate, salt, sodium citrate, potassium phosphate dibasic, potassium chloride, zinc sulphate, ferrous sulphate, manganese sulphate, copper sulphate, sodium molybdate, potassium iodide, chromium chloride, sodium selenate), Vitamins (choline chloride, ascorbic acid, niacinamide, DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate, calcium D-pantothenate, vitamin A palmitate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, thiamine chloride hydrochloride, riboflavin, folic acid, D-biotin, vitamin D3, cyanocobalamin).
CONTAINS: Priority food allergens: Milk, soy. Ingredients associated with food intolerances and/or sensitivities: Corn, natural and artificial flavours, lactose, other soy components.
Glucerna® nutritional drinks contain 225 Calories per 237-mL bottle.
Glucerna® has a low Gl.¶
“The GI is a scale out of 100 that ranks a carbohydrate-containing food or drink by how much it raises your blood sugar after it is eaten or drank.
Foods with a high GI increase blood sugar higher and faster than foods with a low GI. There are three GI categories:
To help manage blood sugar, Diabetes Canada recommends replacing higher GI foods and drinks with lower GI foods and drinks whenever possible. Learn more here.
Each 237-mL bottle of Glucerna® contains 22.4 grams of available carbohydrate of which 3.3 grams come from sugars. The remaining carbohydrates are fibre or slowly digested, low-glycemic carbohydrates. Fructose, a type of carbohydrate, is the sugar added to Glucerna®.
As indicated on the product label, Glucerna® nutritional drinks contain sucralose and acesulfame-potassium. These ingredients are safe to consume.
Sugar substitutes such as sucralose can be useful for people with diabetes and anyone trying to reduce calories or managing their blood sugar.
Sugar substitutes go through a rigorous Health Canada approval process to ensure they are safe to consume. This means they can be safely integrated in a healthy diet.
If you have specific concerns and want to make sure this product is right for you, please consult your health care professional.
Our Glucerna® nutritional drinks are gluten-free and are therefore suitable for a gluten-free diet.
All of our Glucerna® products contain less than 500 mg of lactose per serving. Compared to a glass of milk, which has 10,000 to 12,000 mg of lactose per serving, the amount of lactose in Glucerna® is very low. Therefore, Glucerna® is suitable for most people with lactose intolerance.
Glucerna® nutritional drinks are kosher.
Glucerna® Vanilla, Chocolate and Strawberry nutritional drinks are halal. Mixed Berry nutritional drink is not halal.
Glucerna® nutritional drinks do not contain any peanuts or nut derivatives.
Glucerna® nutritional drinks are specifically designed for people with diabetes or people trying to manage their blood sugar. We recommend that you consult your physician or another qualified health care professional regarding specific concerns about your health and Glucerna®.
If Glucerna® is consumed directly from the bottle or with a straw, use or refrigerate within 1 hour. If refrigerated, use within 24 hours. If opened and not consumed directly from the bottle or with a straw, cover, refrigerate and use within 48 hours.
All of our Glucerna products are available in most pharmacies, grocery stores and major retail stores across Canada. For questions related to product availability, please see the pharmacist or store manager. You can use the "Where to Buy" section on our website to help you locate all of our online shops and in-store retailers, here.
You can also check online the availability of Glucerna® products (sold by Abbott Laboratories Co.) at www.amazon.ca.
Glucerna® bar, Dark Chocolate Almond, and Glucerna® bar, Crispy Oats and Nuts, have been discontinued. Rest assured, Glucerna® nutritional drinks remain readily available and are the #1 doctor- and pharmacist-recommended brand.†
If you are looking for interesting ways to use Glucerna®, don’t forget to check out great-tasting recipes here.
Prioritize low glycemic index foods such as fruits and vegetables, which are nutrient-rich. Other good choices include whole-grain bread and cereals, brown rice and beans. Not only will they give you energy but they also contain fibre, which helps you feel full longer. Choose smaller amounts of leaner meats and alternatives such as poultry, fish and eggs. Choose low-fat dairy products more often.
Glucerna® nutritional drinks are specifically designed for people with diabetes and have a low glycemic index.¶ Work with your diabetes team to fit Glucerna® into your meal plan.
For more eating tips for people with diabetes, click here.
Despite popular belief, diabetes is not caused by eating too much sugar. There are several different reasons why someone might develop diabetes. The cause of diabetes depends on your genes, family history, ethnic background and other factors such as the environment and your health. It also depends on the type of diabetes you have.
If you have the following symptoms, speak to your health care professional about getting your blood sugar tested:
Over 5.7 million people living in Canada, or 14% of the population, have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Whether you have diabetes or not, health experts commonly recommend eight
250-mL glasses, which equals about 2 litres.
The goal blood sugar range for those with diabetes before going to bed is
5.0–8.3 mmol/L (90-150 mg/dL).
A high-protein, low-fat snack before bed can help people with diabetes stabilize their blood sugar levels overnight. Try low-fat cheese and whole wheat crackers, celery sticks with hummus, apple slices and peanut butter, or sugar-free Greek yogurt.
Excessive hunger can be caused by low or high blood sugar levels. Eating at regular hours is essential when you have diabetes. Regular mealtimes can keep your blood sugar and appetite in check.
Tiredness and fatigue are symptoms of high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia). This can happen when you eat too much and don’t have enough insulin to regulate your blood sugar.
Dizziness is a symptom of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). If you are feeling symptoms of low blood sugar, eat or drink 15 to 20 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates. These are sugary foods or drinks without protein or fat that are easily converted to sugar in the body. Try glucose tablets or gel, ½ cup fruit juice, ½ cup regular (not diet) soda,
1 tbsp honey or sugary candy.
Talk to a health care professional about appropriate treatment options for low blood sugar.
Sign up to the Glucerna® Club and save up to $100.§ As a member, you will receive discount offers and nutritional information. Membership benefits are sent periodically by email and postal mail.
There are 2 ways to sign up and save:
At Abbott, we are committed to safeguarding the environment and are constantly working to reduce our environmental footprint. Additionally, the federal government is prohibiting the use of 6 single-use plastic items.
Yes, the new box is recyclable.
Products with the carton box packaging will start to appear on shelves during fall 2023. We expect to have products with a mix of actual and the new carton box packaging for some time.
† Diabetes-specific oral nutritional supplement category.
‡ Compared to a standard nutritional drink.
¶ Only Glucerna® Vanilla has been tested. Other Glucerna® flavours have a nutritional profile similar to that of the Vanilla flavour.
* Assuming participation over a 3-year period. The nature and value of actual offers may vary.
§ Diabetes-specific meal replacement category.
1. Diabetes Canada. The glycemic index (GI). Accessed September 8, 2023. https://www.diabetes.ca/resources/tools---resources/the-glycemic-index-(gi)#:~:text=The%20GI%20is%20a%20scale,low%20GI%20(55%20or%20less)
Please note that the information provided on this website is intended for Canadian residents and is not meant to replace advice from your health care professional.
Consult your health care professional if you have questions or concerns about the management of your diabetes.
Follow us on social
Copyright © 2023 Abbott Laboratories Co. 8625 Trans-Canada Highway, Saint-Laurent, Québec, H4S 1Z6. All Rights Reserved.
