Glucerna’s shakes are conveniently pre-mixed drinks formulated with diabetic people in mind, but those seeking weight loss can also benefit from its low-calorie recipe and blend of slow-release carbohydrates. It is not, however, the best option on the market, given that it’s quite high in sugar and mediocre in other areas of nutrition.

Ingredients

Nutrition-wise, these Glucerna pre-mixed shakes are good at a little bit of everything while being truly phenomenal in nothing.

One serving contains 10g of protein. While this is a lot less than some other top meal replacement shakes, it’s not bad for a shake that doesn’t specifically market itself as a protein shake. Protein is key for building muscle and provides a feeling of fullness, but it’s not the central pillar of weight loss, so a smaller amount per serving will likely still help you achieve your results.

These Glucerna meal replacement shakes offer 4g of fiber, which is less than many nutrition-rich shakes, but more than some weight loss shakes out there. Fiber helps in feeling full, making this shake a potentially better option for weight loss. This Glucerna shake does, however, contain 1g of fat and 4.5mg of cholesterol — again, these are solid numbers, but not the best on the market.

This recipe does not contain superfoods, so if you’re looking for a strictly nutritional shake you may want to look elsewhere. These shakes are also not organic, which is a big factor to a lot of consumers in today’s market.

Sugar Content

The Glucerna shake’s biggest weakness is sugar content and, consequently, carbs. Each serving contains 4g of sugar. By itself that’s not a lot, but it’s more than the top shakes on the market. In addition, these meal replacement shakes contain artificial sweeteners. All in all, this results in one serving of Glucerna shake coming in at 16g of carbohydrates. 

These shakes are, however, formulated for diabetics, so allegedly these are “slow-release” carbs that do not cause blood sugar spikes. Also, despite these flaws, each serving is only 180 calories, making this a good weight loss shake despite the sugar and artificial sweeteners.

Taste

Glucerna’s taste is a big dividing issue among reviewers. Consumers across the board agree that this Glucerna meal replacement shake is sweet. However, some people see this as good, and others as bad. Reviews seem to be split pretty evenly—half of buyers love and applaud the taste, while the other half of buyers claim that the sweetness is too much.

Pricing

Coming in at $1.39 per serving, this Glucerna meal replacement shake is a fantastic value. While it doesn’t contain the nutritional value of shakes made with superfoods, it doesn’t carry their hefty price tag either. This shake is likely not a good fit for someone looking for rich nutritional value, but it’s a great and affordable option for someone looking to lose weight, or for diabetic people who simply need to regulate their blood sugar with a healthy snack or meal.

Conclusion

Glucerna meal replacement shakes contain average nutrition, but their lower-than-average calorie count and affordable price make them a great option for those who are trying to lose weight. If you’re looking for nutrition, there are better options for you. But if you’re looking for a shake that tastes good but has fewer calories, Glucerna is a solid contender.