Ensure Max Protein Nutrition Facts (2026): 30g Protein, 150 Calories — Full Label Review

Ensure Max Protein delivers 30 grams of complete dairy protein at 150 calories per 11-ounce bottle — a protein-to-calorie ratio of 20g per 100 calories, which matches or exceeds Premier Protein (18.75g per 100 cal) and is well above Fairlife Nutrition Plan (20g per 100 cal at 150 calories). The shake is Abbott Nutrition’s flagship high-protein product in the Ensure line, positioned primarily for older adults managing muscle loss, people recovering from surgery or illness, and anyone needing a concentrated protein supplement with full vitamin and mineral fortification. It is NOT a low-sugar protein shake in the gym-goer sense — the 1g of sugar is genuinely low — but it does use sucralose and acesulfame potassium (Ace-K), both classified as artificial sweeteners, which eliminates it for buyers seeking clean-label products. All figures below are from Abbott’s and Ensure.com’s published 2026 nutrition label (confirmed at ensure.com and abbottnutrition.com); any figure not confirmed against these sources is marked with an em dash rather than a guess.

Affiliate links — if you buy through them we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Every nutrition figure below comes from Abbott’s 2026 published label at ensure.com and abbottnutrition.com.

Ensure Max Protein Nutrition Facts (Full Label)

Milk Chocolate flavor values from Abbott’s 2026 published label. Total carbohydrates calculated from calorie balance (150 cal − 30g protein × 4 cal/g − 1.5g fat × 9 cal/g ≈ 16.5 cal from carbs ≈ ~4–6g). — = not confirmed against the current 2026 label at time of publication; check ensure.com for the most current figure. French Vanilla, Creamy Strawberry, Café Mocha, Creamy Peach, and Cherry Cheesecake flavors are similar but may vary slightly; verify on the specific flavor.

Ensure Max Protein Ingredients

The ingredient list for the Milk Chocolate flavor (from Abbott’s published product information) reads: Water, Milk Protein Concentrate, Calcium Caseinate, Cocoa Powder (processed with alkali), Soluble Corn Fiber, Short-Chain Fructooligosaccharides, Natural & Artificial Flavor, High Oleic Sunflower Oil, Salt, Cellulose Gel, Acesulfame Potassium, Cellulose Gum, Sucralose, Carrageenan.

Key observations:

• Protein sources: milk protein concentrate and calcium caseinate. Both are complete dairy proteins containing all nine essential amino acids. Milk protein concentrate is a slower-digesting protein (compared to whey isolate); calcium caseinate is a very slow-digesting casein-based protein. This protein profile is designed for sustained amino acid release, which suits the medical nutrition context (preventing muscle catabolism between meals) but delivers slower post-workout muscle-protein synthesis than a whey-isolate shake.
• Sweeteners: acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) and sucralose. Both are classified as artificial sweeteners. Ace-K is approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar by weight; sucralose is approximately 600 times sweeter. Both are FDA-approved food additives. Neither raises blood glucose. Buyers seeking no artificial sweeteners should look at RXBAR (date-sweetened), Perfect Bar (honey-sweetened), or the bars in our no-artificial-sweetener protein bar guide instead.
• Fiber: soluble corn fiber and short-chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS). The scFOS is a prebiotic fiber that feeds beneficial gut bacteria. At 4g of fiber per bottle, Ensure Max Protein delivers more fiber per serving than most protein shakes (Premier Protein has 1g, Fairlife Core Power Elite has 0g).
• Fat: high oleic sunflower oil (1.5g total fat, 0g saturated fat). Very low fat content.
• Allergens: contains milk (from milk protein concentrate and calcium caseinate). Free from soy, gluten, egg, and nuts. Not vegan.

Ensure Max Protein vs Premier Protein vs Fairlife Core Power

These three shakes compete directly for the high-protein RTD (ready-to-drink) shelf at every major US retailer. Here is how they compare per bottle:

Ensure Max Protein and Fairlife Nutrition Plan are essentially tied on protein-per-calorie efficiency (both 20g per 100 cal). Ensure Max Protein’s edge is its higher fiber content (4g vs. 3g) and its broader retail distribution — Ensure is stocked at CVS, Walgreens, most grocery stores, and mass retailers in the medical nutrition section as well as the supplement aisle. Premier Protein leads on price and taste ratings in consumer surveys; Fairlife Core Power Elite leads on total protein per bottle (42g). For the full Premier Protein vs Fairlife breakdown, see our Premier Protein vs Fairlife Nutrition Plan comparison.

Who Should Buy Ensure Max Protein?

Buy it if: you need a high-protein supplement with complete vitamin and mineral fortification (25 nutrients); you are managing muscle loss associated with aging, illness, or recovery; you want a high protein-to-calorie ratio with very low fat and low sugar; you need a product available in the pharmacy section (CVS, Walgreens) as well as grocery and mass retail; or you are following a physician or dietitian’s recommendation for a clinical protein supplement. At 20g of protein per 100 calories with 25 essential vitamins and minerals at 150 calories, Ensure Max Protein is one of the most nutrient-dense protein supplements at mainstream retail.

Skip it if: you avoid artificial sweeteners (sucralose + Ace-K); you are looking for a post-workout whey shake with fast absorption (the casein-heavy protein blend is slower-digesting than whey isolate); you are vegan or dairy-free (contains milk protein); or you want the absolute most protein per bottle rather than per calorie (Fairlife Core Power Elite delivers 42g per bottle if total volume is less of a concern). For gym-goers who want maximum protein per dollar with familiar flavors, Premier Protein’s price advantage at Costco (~$1.44 per bottle for the 18-count case) makes it the better everyday pick. See our Premier Protein shake nutrition guide for the full breakdown.

Where to Buy Ensure Max Protein and What to Pay

Ensure Max Protein is distributed through both the medical nutrition channel and general retail, which gives it broader availability than most protein shakes:

• CVS and Walgreens: Stocked in the medical nutrition section alongside other Ensure products. Individual bottles ~$3.00–$3.50; 12-count cases available for order. Frequently 2-for-1 promotions on shelf.
• Target and Walmart: In the health/supplement aisle. 12-count cases ~$28–$36 (~$2.35–$3.00 per bottle); individual bottles at checkout ~$3.00–$3.50.
• Amazon: 12-count cases with Subscribe & Save (typically 5–15% off). Best value for regular users; multiple flavor varieties available. The Café Mocha and Milk Chocolate with Caffeine varieties (100mg caffeine each) may be online-exclusive at some retailers.
• Grocery stores (Kroger, Publix, Safeway): Medical nutrition section, typically 12-count cases. Regional pricing varies; national average ~$2.75–$3.25 per bottle in a case.

At approximately $2.50–$3.50 per bottle, Ensure Max Protein costs more per bottle than Premier Protein (~$2.00–$3.00) but is similar to Fairlife products. The Costco 18-count case pricing that makes Premier Protein exceptional value ($1.44 per bottle) is not matched by Ensure Max Protein at Costco, where Ensure is not consistently stocked. For the best value per gram of protein with similar nutritional profiles, Premier Protein at Costco wins on cost; Ensure Max Protein wins on vitamin fortification depth and pharmacy availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many calories are in Ensure Max Protein?

Ensure Max Protein contains 150 calories per 11 fl oz (330mL) bottle. This is 10 fewer calories than Premier Protein (160 cal) and 80 fewer calories than Fairlife Core Power Elite 42g (230 cal). At 150 calories for 30g of protein, it delivers 20g of protein per 100 calories — one of the highest protein-to-calorie ratios of any protein shake at mainstream retail.

Does Ensure Max Protein have sugar?

Ensure Max Protein contains 1g of sugar per bottle with 0g of added sugars. The 1g of naturally occurring sugar comes from the dairy ingredients (milk protein concentrate and calcium caseinate). The sweetness comes from sucralose and acesulfame potassium (Ace-K), both of which are classified as artificial sweeteners. Buyers seeking a protein shake with no artificial sweeteners should look at unsweetened protein powders mixed with milk or water, or clean-label bars; no mainstream RTD protein shake at 30g per bottle uses only natural sweeteners.

Is Ensure Max Protein good for seniors?

Yes — Ensure Max Protein is one of the most appropriate protein supplements for older adults. The slow-digesting casein-heavy protein blend (milk protein concentrate + calcium caseinate) is well-suited for older adults who eat fewer meals and need sustained amino acid availability to prevent muscle catabolism between meals. The 25 essential vitamins and minerals address the micronutrient deficiencies common in older adults with reduced food intake. The medical nutrition channel distribution (CVS, Walgreens) makes it accessible without a specialty supplement store. Full nutrition support for muscle preservation in aging requires consistent daily protein intake; one bottle contributes meaningfully to that goal at a manageable calorie cost.

Is Ensure Max Protein good for weight loss?

It can be an effective tool within a calorie-restricted diet. At 150 calories for 30g of protein, Ensure Max Protein is one of the highest protein-to-calorie shakes available, which supports satiety and muscle preservation during a calorie deficit. However, the sucralose and Ace-K sweeteners may cause digestive issues in some individuals at high daily doses, and the casein-based protein blend has slower absorption kinetics than whey — which may be a minor disadvantage for post-workout recovery. For a calorie-deficit diet specifically, any 30g-protein source at 150 calories is a strong tool; Ensure Max Protein is one of the most complete options given the vitamin and mineral fortification.

How does Ensure Max Protein compare to Premier Protein?

Ensure Max Protein and Premier Protein Chocolate are nearly identical on protein density — 30g of complete dairy protein at 150 and 160 calories respectively (20.0g and 18.75g per 100 cal). Both use sucralose + Ace-K as sweeteners. Ensure Max Protein’s advantages are slightly better protein-per-calorie efficiency, higher fiber (4g vs. 1g), and broader pharmacy distribution. Premier Protein’s advantages are lower per-bottle price, better taste ratings in consumer surveys, and exceptional Costco value (~$1.44 per bottle in the 18-count case). For daily use, Premier Protein at Costco prices is the better value pick. For medical nutrition context, Ensure’s Abbott brand recognition and pharmacy presence give it an edge. Full details in our Premier Protein nutrition guide.

Bottom line: Ensure Max Protein is a clinically positioned, nutrient-complete protein shake that happens to have outstanding protein-per-calorie efficiency — 30g of complete dairy protein at 150 calories, fortified with 25 essential vitamins and minerals, available at CVS, Walgreens, and every major grocery chain. The sucralose + Ace-K sweeteners are a dealbreaker for clean-label buyers. For gym-goers who want the best value per gram of protein, Premier Protein at Costco is the better everyday choice. For older adults, people recovering from illness, and anyone who needs a medically positioned protein supplement with full micronutrient fortification, Ensure Max Protein is the most widely available clinical-nutrition protein supplement in the US at this protein level. See our Premier Protein shake nutrition guide and Fairlife Core Power nutrition guide for the full compare-and-contrast across the high-protein RTD category.