Frequently asked questions

Making a Glucerna health shake is quick and easy! To prepare a single serving of Glucerna (237 mL):

Step 1: Pour 200 mL of water into a glass.
Step 2: Gradually add 5 levelled scoops (enclosed in tin) or 52.1 g of Glucerna powder into water or milk, whilst stirring or shaking well.
Step 3: Mix until completely dissolved.
Step 4: Consume immediately or serve chilled.

Glucerna health shakes can be used in place of a skipped meal, or to replace an unhealthy food option. For example:

Instead of skipping breakfast, grab a Glucerna shake on your way out the door.

Swap that daily muffin you buy on the way to work with a Glucerna treat for morning tea – check out some of our delicious recipes.

For lunch, you might have a salad plus a Glucerna health shake.

Have a Glucerna shake for an afternoon tea snack.

For dinner, try one of our simple, healthy and delicious recipes using Glucerna.

For people with diabetes who need extra calories and protein (such as those with, or at risk of, malnutrition), Glucerna shakes can be used to supplement their diet with additional nutrition to help meet nutrient requirements.

Your dietitian can help you determine how to best incorporate Glucerna into your diabetes meal plan.

Glucerna contains slow-release (low glycaemic index) carbohydrates, together with other nutrients including 28 essential vitamins and minerals, making it a great snack option for people trying to manage their blood glucose as well as meet their nutritional requirements.^1,2 It is also quick to prepare and therefore has the added benefit of convenience.

Glucerna has a low Glycaemic Index (GI); the powder (mixed with water) has a GI of 35 (Vanilla) and 29 (Chocolate), and the 220 mL Ready-to-Drink (liquid) Glucerna has a GI of 27.^3-5

Low-glycaemic carbohydrates (those with a low glycaemic index) are processed more slowly by our digestive system, and therefore cause a lower and slower rise in blood glucose.⁶

Glucerna Powder contains: Modified maltodextrin, sucromalt, maltitol, fructose, fructo-oligosaccharides, isomaltulose and oat fibre.¹

Together, this combination of carbohydrates produces a lower blood glucose response compared with that of higher-glycaemic carbohydrates.² Visit our science behind Glucerna page to learn more about how Glucerna can help manage your blood glucose levels.

Glucerna has been clinically shown to to help achieve (4 – 6%) in 6 months when used as part of a diabetes management plan.*⁷

Your dietitian can help you determine a diet plan that can help you safely and effectively manage your weight.

*As part of a lifestyle intervention. A weight loss of 4 – 6% of initial body weight was observed in overweight/obese diabetes patients receiving structured lifestyle intervention with Glucerna.

Yes, Glucerna has been studied in more than 50 clinical studies and has over 30 years of scientific evidence.¹

Glucerna has a low glycaemic index (GI); the powder (mixed with water) has a GI of 35 (Vanilla) and 29 (Chocolate), and the 220 mL Ready-to-Drink (liquid) Glucerna has a GI of 27.^3–5 This is because the carbohydrates in Glucerna are digested more slowly than refined carbohydrate foods, helping to keep you feeling fuller for longer.^1,3–6

For people with diabetes, Glucerna products should not be used to treat hypoglycaemia, insulin shock, or insulin reaction. The carbohydrates in Glucerna are not absorbed quickly enough to restore blood glucose to a target level fast enough. Talk to your healthcare professional about appropriate treatment options for low blood glucose episodes.

It is safe for someone without diabetes to consume Glucerna. However, Abbott Nutrition has many other options, such as Ensure^®, for people without diabetes to integrate into their meal plans.

Glucerna health shakes are specially designed for people with diabetes. Glucerna products are intended to be used under medical supervision to support the dietary management of diabetes.

Glucerna products are appropriate for people with type 1 diabetes. However, it is important to monitor your blood glucose regularly to see how Glucerna affects it, as well as your insulin needs.

As always, we encourage you to speak with your healthcare professional before making any changes to your diabetes management plan.

Nursing and pregnant women should consult their healthcare professionals to see how Glucerna would best fit into their lifestyle.

In particular, be aware of the vitamin and mineral content of Glucerna when used together with other supplements (maternal vitamins and minerals) and with daily food intake, as it may exceed the recommended dietary intake (RDI) for some of the vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin A, folic acid and iron.

Consult your healthcare professional before starting Glucerna.

Glucerna is a complete, balanced nutritional supplement to support people living with diabetes or impaired glucose intolerance. 

It is safe for someone without diabetes to consume Glucerna. However,  Glucerna health shakes are specially designed for people with diabetes. Glucerna products are intended to be used under medical supervision to support the dietary management of diabetes.

Glucerna is a Food for Special Medical Purposes that is indicated for the dietary management of diabetes and/or impaired glucose tolerance.1 It is not specifically formulated for the dietary management of overweight or obesity. There is clinical evidence that when Glucerna is included as part of diabetes management plan including physical activity and a structured low-calorie meal plan, people with diabetes are able to manage their weight with a reduction in body weight of up to 8% from baseline at 6 months.⁷

Glucerna is a low-GI health shake to help people with diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance manage their blood glucose levels Glucerna has been clincially shown to reduce blood glucose levels by 38% on day 1

Glucerna has  low-GI, slow-release carbohydrates to help minimise blood glucose spikes. It contains myo-inositol to help improve insulin sensitivity and 28 essential vitamins and minerals that helps improve nutritional adequacy and glycaemic control 

Depending on your BMI levels, the recommended dose is 1-2 serves of Glucerna per day to repalace a meal (such as breakfast) or snack.

Glucerna contains no detectable gluten at a limit of quantification of 5 ppm but does contain oats.

Please refer to Nepro range which is specifically designed for people with Chronic Kidney Disease or consult your doctor for advice.

Glucerna is low in lactose and can be used for people with lactose intolerance 

With a low glycaemic carbohydrate blend plus myo-inositol, Glucerna helps to manage blood glucose levels as well as other ingredients that make it beneficial for people with diabetes. However, Abbott Nutrition has many other options, such as Ensure®, for people without diabetes to integrate into their meal plans.