When it comes to nutritional shakes and supplements, Kate Farms and Ensure are two of the most popular and well-known brands on the market. But what exactly sets them apart?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the key differences, pros and cons, and frequently asked questions about Kate Farms and Ensure to help you determine which may be the better option for your needs.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Kate Farms | Ensure |
| Protein source | Pea protein | Milk protein (casein and whey) |
| Calories per serving | 200-350 | 150-350 |
| Sugar content | 9g or less per serving | 13-25g per serving |
| Formulas offered | Standard, peptide-based, specialty | Numerous formulas and nutritional drink options |
| Flavor selection | 3 flavors | Over 20 flavors |
| Dietary needs accommodated | Dairy-free, gluten-free, plant-based, organic, non-GMO | Low-fiber, diabetes friendly |
| Consistency and texture | Smooth, lighter consistency | Thicker, milkshake-like consistency |
| Price per serving | $3 to $4 on average | $1 to $3 on average |
| Where to buy | Primarily online | Pharmacies, grocery stores, online |
Overview of Kate Farms and Ensure
Kate Farms offers a range of plant-based, organic nutritional shakes and powders for children and adults. Their shakes are designed to provide complete, balanced nutrition for a variety of dietary needs, including:
- Food allergies
- Gastrointestinal disorders
- Cancer support
- Weight management
- General nutrition
The Kate Farms Standard shakes include both a pediatric and adult formula. They contain pea protein and are vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, non-GMO and certified organic. Kate Farms also offers a Peptide-Based Formula for those with severe malabsorption issues.
Ensure, made by Abbott Nutrition, provides nutritional shakes and drinks in both liquid and powder forms. Ensure is designed for weight gain, weight management, wound healing, and overall health. It contains a mix of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.
The Ensure shakes come in a wide variety of flavors and formulas, including those designed for:
- Diabetes (Ensure Diabetic)
- Pre-surgery (Ensure Pre-Surgery)
- Older adults (Ensure Enlive)
- Immune support (Ensure Immune Support)
- Muscle health (Ensure Max Protein)
Also Read: The Comparison Between Ka’Chava And Orgain.
Key Differences Between Kate Farms And Ensure
1. Protein Source
- Kate Farms: Organic pea protein isolate. Vegan, dairy-free, soy-free, and plant-based. Hypoallergenic.
- Ensure: Milk-based protein from casein and whey. Contains dairy ingredients. Not suitable for vegans or those with dairy allergies.
2. Carbohydrate Source
- Kate Farms: Organic brown rice syrup and cane sugar provide carbohydrates. Gluten-free.
- Ensure: Corn maltodextrin, sucrose, corn syrup and cane sugar. Contains gluten sources.
3. Fat Source
- Kate Farms: Organic high oleic safflower oil and organic coconut oil.
- Ensure: Canola oil, corn oil, soybean oil. Non-organic.
4. Vitamins and Minerals
- Kate Farms: Added vitamins A, C, D, E, K, B vitamins, calcium, iron and more to meet daily needs.
- Ensure: Fortified with 25+ vitamins and minerals including vitamins A, B, C, D, E, K, calcium, zinc, selenium, chromium, iron and iodine.
5. Flavoring
- Kate Farms: Natural flavors from organic sources like organic vanilla extract.
- Ensure: Artificial flavors, maltodextrin, sucralose.
6. Sweeteners
- Kate Farms: Organic cane sugar. 9g or less sugar per serving.
- Ensure: Sucrose, corn syrup, sucralose. 13-25g sugar per serving.
7. Fiber
- Kate Farms: 5g or more fiber per serving from oat fiber, acacia fiber, and inulin.
- Ensure: 1-3g fiber per serving. Lower fiber suitable for low-fiber diets.
8. Allergens
- Kate Farms: Dairy-free, soy-free, gluten-free, egg-free, corn-free. Hypoallergenic.
- Ensure: Contains dairy, soy, gluten, egg, and corn-based ingredients.
9. Cost
- Kate Farms: $3 to $4 per serving. More expensive but organic.
- Ensure: $1 to $3 per serving. More affordable but not organic.
10. Purpose
- Kate Farms: Weight gain/maintenance, GI disorders, food allergies, tube feeding.
- Ensure: Overall nutrition, weight gain, wound healing, surgery recovery.
11. Consistency
- Kate Farms: Smooth, thinner, lighter mouthfeel. Mixes easier.
- Ensure: Thicker, milkshake-like consistency. May require added liquid.
12. Taste
- Kate Farms: Mild taste, not overly sweet. Easier to combine with mix-ins.
- Ensure: Sweeter, stronger milkshake flavor. More artificial taste for some.
So in summary, Kate Farms contains organic, plant-based ingredients designed for allergies and intolerances, while Ensure relies on dairy and artificial components better suited for budget-conscious consumers. Consider your own dietary needs and preferences when choosing between the two brands.
Kate Farms Pros
Here are some of the main benefits of Kate Farms shakes:
- Organic and plant-based: Kate Farms uses only organic, vegan ingredients, primarily pea protein. This makes their shakes ideal for food allergies and intolerances.
- Specialized formulas: Kate Farms offers specialized shakes for different needs, including gastrointestinal disorders, tube feeding, kidney disease, diabetes, cancer, and weight management.
- Effective for weight gain: The Kate Farms Peptide-based shakes are clinically shown to help underweight individuals gain and maintain weight.
- Clinically studied: Kate Farms products have undergone extensive clinical research at major hospitals and universities. Studies show their shakes help improve nutritional status and symptoms.
- Neutral taste: Kate Farms shakes have a neutral, mild taste that is easy to flavor and combine with other foods and liquids.
- Lower in sugar: The shakes contain 9g of sugar or less per serving compared to around 13-25g in many Ensure products.
Kate Farms Cons
Some potential downsides of Kate Farms include:
- Higher price point: Kate Farms tends to be more expensive than competitors like Ensure. Price depends on the specific formula.
- Contains soybean oil: Those with an allergy to soy or avoiding soy-based ingredients would need to avoid their Classic formulas that contain soybean oil.
- Not suitable for low-fiber diets: Kate Farms contains 5g or more of fiber per serving, so would not be suitable for a low fiber diet.
- Difficulty finding in stores: Kate Farms may not be available at your local grocery store or pharmacy. Most customers need to order online.
- Constipation concerns: Some customers have reported digestive issues like constipation or bloating after using plant-based Kate Farms shakes.
Ensure Pros
Here are some benefits of Ensure shakes:
- Widely available: Ensure can be purchased at most pharmacies, grocery stores, and big box stores for convenience.
- Variety of flavors: Ensure comes in popular flavors like chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, butter pecan, and more. Kate Farms has a more limited flavor selection.
- Specialized formulas: Like Kate Farms, Ensure also has shakes designed for surgery, diabetes, fitness, and other needs.
- Contains milk-based protein: For those who prefer whey protein, Ensure does contain milk ingredients, whereas Kate Farms is plant-based.
- Lower in fiber: Ensure shakes contain 1-3g of fiber per serving, making them more suitable for low-fiber diets.
- Clinically studied for efficacy: Ensure has been clinically shown to help patients gain or maintain a healthy weight and support recovery.
Watch this review video:
Ensure Cons
Some of the downsides associated with Ensure include:
- Not organic: Ensure uses many non-organic, artificial ingredients and fillers not found in Kate Farms.
- Higher sugar content: Most Ensure shakes have around 13-25g of sugar per serving, compared to under 10g in Kate Farms.
- More potential allergens: Ensure contains common allergens like milk, soy, wheat, and corn. Kate Farms is hypoallergenic.
- Thicker consistency: Some report Ensure has a thicker, less pleasant texture than Kate Farms. Adding extra liquid can help thin it.
- Higher calorie options: Ensure Plus offers up to 350 calories per serving to promote weight gain, which may not be suitable for all.
- Possible digestive issues: Some people experience bloating, gas, or indigestion from the dairy-based ingredients in Ensure.
Also Read: Comparison Between Ka’Cha And Vega.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The main differences are that Kate Farms is organic, plant-based, and designed for food allergies, while Ensure contains dairy and is more affordable and accessible. Kate Farms has less sugar and calories than most Ensure products.
Potential side effects can include bloating, gas, constipation, stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea. These are more likely when first starting use. Kate Farms may cause fewer side effects than Ensure for those with dairy and gluten sensitivities.
Yes, the Peptide-based Kate Farms shakes provide 30g of plant-based protein and up to 350 calories per serving to help underweight individuals gain and maintain weight. The shakes are clinically shown to improve nutritional status.
According to Abbott Nutrition, Ensure products do need to be refrigerated once opened. Unopened, they can be stored at room temperature until the use by date. Refrigerate opened Ensure within 4 hours.
The Bottom Line
Both Kate Farms and Ensure make nutritionally complete shakes that can benefit people with different health conditions and dietary needs. Kate Farms stands out for its organic, plant-based formulas specially designed for food intolerances, GI issues, and weight gain. Ensure is more affordable and accessible, but contains dairy, soy, and other common allergens.
When choosing between the two, consider your budget, dietary restrictions, nutritional needs, and whether you prefer plant vs dairy-based protein sources. Both brands offer convenient, nourishing shake options. But Kate Farms may be the better choice for those with multiple food allergies or sensitivities.
