Hit Refresh: Innovative Ways to Use Juice-Style ONS During Summer Months

June 24, 2021 6 min read

Introduction

Oral Nutritional Supplements (ONS) are a useful strategy in the management of disease-related malnutrition, but they are only effective if consumed.¹ ² ³ A recent study found that 64% of patients didn’t comply with their ONS prescription.⁴ Poor compliance to ONS can be attributed to a variety of factors including ONS specific features such as flavour, palatability, texture, variety, volume, and energy density.⁵ ⁶ ⁷ Individual patient factors such as reduced taste or smell function, dysphagia, and gastrointestinal symptoms also influence compliance.⁸⁻¹¹ Additionally, prolonged and repeated consumption of ONS, is known to cause taste fatigue; contributing to lower compliance rates.¹²⁻¹⁵

Patient preference plays an important role in ONS compliance.¹⁶ ¹⁷ For example, some studies have reported poor compliance to standard (milkshake style) ONS due to patients’ dislike of milky drinks, the thickness, mouth-feel, and available flavours. ¹⁸⁻²⁰

Offering a variety of forms and styles of ONS, such as juice-style ONS, in different flavours, may help to combat personal dislike, boredom and taste fatigue, ultimately improving ONS compliance. This article introduces our new high energy juice-style ONS and suggests a number of innovative ways to offer this fresh alternative to patients, especially in the summer months.

Switching without compromise

A recent survey examining ONS prescribing experiences of thirteen Dietitians revealed that the Dietitians thought that switching to a juice-style ONS compromised the nutritional value of an ONS regimen.²¹

It is important to correct this misimpression. Choosing a juice-style ONS can offer a useful and refreshing alternative to milkshake style ONS with minimal nutritional compromise. AYMES’ Actagain Juce has comparable nutritional profiles for protein and energy; when compared with standard milkshake style ready-to-drink (RTD) ONS (see figure 1).

Introducing Actagain Juce

AYMES Actagain Juce is a refreshing new, high-energy juice-style ONS, designed especially for patients who dislike milky drinks or prefer a more refreshing taste. ActagainJuce is available in5flavours (Juicy Apple, Zesty Orange, Berry Medley, Exotic Fruit)and Juicy Peach.ActagainJuceis also a useful choice for patients experiencing taste fatigue, taste changes, (due to medication and/or treatment), and for those who would benefit from a fat-free ONS. Patients can switch from a standard ready-to-drink (RTD) milkshake style ONS product to AYMES Actagain Juce with minimal impact on their protein intake – this is not always the case for other RTD juice-style ONS (see figure 1).

Key facts about AYMES Actagain Juce:

Contains the highest amount of protein (11g/200ml bottle) when compared with other available juice-style ONS – meaning minimal impact on protein intake when switching from standard RTD milkshake style ONS (see figure 1).²²
Is the most cost-effective juice-style ONS (per gram of protein) at just £1.80 per 200ml serving (see figure 2). ²³
Provides the 10μg daily Vitamin D requirements just 2 servings (DoH recommendations for adults and children over 4 years of age). ²4
Scores high withtaste; in a recent study,93% of participants ratedActagainJuce as acceptable for palatability (e.g., taste,consistency andappearance).²5
Our Tetra Pak cartonscontain63% plant-based material and use 4x less plastic. ²6, ²7

Figure 1: ONS Nutrient Composition Comparison (200ml)

	Market Leading Juice (apple/orange)	AYMES Actagain Juce (apple/orange)	Standard RTD (milk-based)
Energy (kcal)	300	300	300
Protein (g)	8	10	12
Fat (g)	0	0	11.6

Figure 2: AYMES Actagain Juce: summary features (200ml carton)

Energy	Protein	kcal/ml	Cost
300Kcal	11g	1.5	£1.80

Innovative ways to use Actagain Juce during summer months

There are plenty of interesting and innovative ways to serve Actagain Juce. Summer is a particularly good time to enjoy Actagain Juce and to experiment with different serving options. Serving drinks at different temperatures can be a simple way to mix things up and improve compliance. Patients often report preferring chilled ONS to room temperature ONS.²⁴

Innovative ways to enjoy AYMES Actagain juce include:

Serving chilled with ice. Add a lemon or lime wedge.
Freezing into ice lollies, slush drinks, or ice cubes to add to favourite drinks.
Mixing into home-made smoothies.
Making into jellies for a light and fresh dessert.
Using it as a base for a refreshing sorbet.
Adding to cold drinks (i.e. lemonade, soda water) to make into a long drink to enjoy on a summer’s evening.
Using Actagain Juce as a base for a refreshing mocktail.

Conclusion

ONS are an effective way of managing disease-related malnutrition when taken as prescribed. ONS compliance can be poor due to a number of factors such as patient preference, sensory experiences, and taste fatigue.

Strategies to improve ONS compliance include offering a variety of different types of ONS (formats and flavours). Choosing a juice-style ONS can offer a useful and refreshing alternative to RTD milkshake style ONS with minimal nutritional compromise. AYMES Actagain Juce contains the highest amount of protein (11g/ 200ml bottle) when compared with other available juice-style ONS products and can be served in a variety of interesting and innovative ways, to help improve compliance.

Order a sample