Graduate Program
Nutrition and Dietetics
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Semester of Degree Completion
2011
Thesis Director
Melanie Burns
Thesis Committee Member
Kathleen O'Rourke
Thesis Committee Member
Linda Simpson
Thesis Committee Member
Richard Wilkinson
Abstract
The consumption of oral nutritional supplements may help prevent, or delay, malnutrition in the older adult population. Developing acceptable supplements, and discovering alternative methods to providing nutrition to older adults, is vital. The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate three oral nutritional supplements in chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla flavors that were similarly priced and contained similar nutritive value as compared to the standard commercially-prepared supplement Ensure®. The study also focused on the comparison of appearance, smell, flavor, aftertaste, viscosity, and overall acceptability and preference between the researcher-developed and standard supplements. The researcher-developed supplements were less expensive per serving than the standard supplement and significantly more viscous than the standard supplement; yet the researcher-developed supplements were nutritionally comparable. An expert panel of eight registered dietitians evaluated the researcher-developed and standard supplements during sensory evaluations. The expert panel rated the standard chocolate, standard strawberry, and researcher-developed vanilla supplements more acceptable than their corresponding flavor supplement. However, after considering each supplement's quality characteristics overall, panel members indicated they would prefer to consume the standard strawberry, researcher-developed chocolate, and researcherdeveloped vanilla supplements over their corresponding flavor supplement. All supplements were recommended for older adult patients/clients by panel members. As a result of this study, older adults have a palatable, economical, and expert-recommended oral nutritional supplement that can be made in the comfort of one's home as an acceptable alternative to the standard commercially-prepared supplement.
Recommended Citation
Huxel, Christa R., "Comparison Of Nutritive Value, Cost, Viscosity, And Acceptability Among Three Developed Oral Nutritional Supplements And A Standard Commercially-Prepared Supplement" (2011). Masters Theses. 404.
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/404
