Lower cost nutritional supplements

longtermsurvivor
longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
It has frustrated me no end to be taken advantage of by the retail sales industry as I shop for liquid dietary supplements. The mark-up is huge, and since I am still partly dependent on liquid supplements nine months post radiation, and will continue to be so in the forseeable future, I have continued to shop for lower cost alternatives. I finally found an ebay store that provides the least expensive dietary supplements yet, and have been happy with both the price and the service. Their "boost" is cheaper than the generic supplements I can occasionally find at my local Walgreens, for instance. Here's a link for those who want to take a look:

http://stores.ebay.com/USApbm1?_rdc=1

Comments

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #2
    one a day
    Hi Pat,

    Good to know, if you are satisfied that is good enough (recommendation) for me. I would be surprised if a H&N recipient wasn’t more concerned about their health and taking something to promote good health. For me, other than beginning to eat normal again I am taking a low dose multi-vitamin and Omega-3 fish oil. I kept a detailed diary of EVERYTHING I ate for 2 weeks and had my nutritionist review it for her questions and comments. In addition to her comments was the need to maintain high quality when choosing supplements and vitamins. Of course it is common sense, but to continue to survive H&N cancer(s), today’s warrior must be vigilant.

    Thanks for the info.

    Best,

    Matt
  • jtl
    jtl Member Posts: 456
    #3
    Pat
    I saw Ensure at Costco for something like $1.25 each if you purchase a case. Not sure if that is a good deal or not.

    I used to take fish oil but some new studies have said it doesn't do any good so I stopped. Now I just take a multi-vitamin, probiotic and some milk thistle.
  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #4
    jtl said:

    Pat
    I saw Ensure at Costco for something like $1.25 each if you purchase a case. Not sure if that is a good deal or not.

    I used to take fish oil but some new studies have said it doesn't do any good so I stopped. Now I just take a multi-vitamin, probiotic and some milk thistle.

    I need the calories, as I just can't eat enough to keep weight
    up yet. The regular ensure and similar products are 250 calories/8 oz. I can buy them for about $1.25 each at Sams. But the higher calorie stuff, 350 or 360 cal, is about $1.50 each, plus tax. I used to get a product made by GoodSense at Walgreens, for 7.88 plus tax for six cans, but they can't get it anymore. So these on the internet at about 1.10 each (360 calories) is a really good deal. Similarly the powdered stuff, like scandishake, is a real ripoff. lots of calories (600 when you mix with 8oz milk) but it costs over $2.00 per serving. I can find it on ebay if I am patient, for about $1.25. It may seem like this is splitting hairs, but over time, the difference of half a buck per serving, times two or three a day really does add up. I'm curious to know what others are doing, or if anyone has found a better deal, as I am stuck using replacement for an indeterminant period of time.

    Thanks John,

    Pat
  • jtl
    jtl Member Posts: 456
    #5
    longtermsurvivor said:

    I need the calories, as I just can't eat enough to keep weight
    up yet. The regular ensure and similar products are 250 calories/8 oz. I can buy them for about $1.25 each at Sams. But the higher calorie stuff, 350 or 360 cal, is about $1.50 each, plus tax. I used to get a product made by GoodSense at Walgreens, for 7.88 plus tax for six cans, but they can't get it anymore. So these on the internet at about 1.10 each (360 calories) is a really good deal. Similarly the powdered stuff, like scandishake, is a real ripoff. lots of calories (600 when you mix with 8oz milk) but it costs over $2.00 per serving. I can find it on ebay if I am patient, for about $1.25. It may seem like this is splitting hairs, but over time, the difference of half a buck per serving, times two or three a day really does add up. I'm curious to know what others are doing, or if anyone has found a better deal, as I am stuck using replacement for an indeterminant period of time.

    Thanks John,

    Pat

    This was the 350 calorie
    This was the 350 calorie stuff. I don't remember the exact formula but I did post it at one time. The best I remember is I did Ensure, ice cream, whole milk and some weight gain stuff from the health store that body builders use and I got the calories up to 1400 for 16 ounces. It also tasted great.

    John
  • KJCorri
    KJCorri Member Posts: 14
    #6
    longtermsurvivor said:

    I need the calories, as I just can't eat enough to keep weight
    up yet. The regular ensure and similar products are 250 calories/8 oz. I can buy them for about $1.25 each at Sams. But the higher calorie stuff, 350 or 360 cal, is about $1.50 each, plus tax. I used to get a product made by GoodSense at Walgreens, for 7.88 plus tax for six cans, but they can't get it anymore. So these on the internet at about 1.10 each (360 calories) is a really good deal. Similarly the powdered stuff, like scandishake, is a real ripoff. lots of calories (600 when you mix with 8oz milk) but it costs over $2.00 per serving. I can find it on ebay if I am patient, for about $1.25. It may seem like this is splitting hairs, but over time, the difference of half a buck per serving, times two or three a day really does add up. I'm curious to know what others are doing, or if anyone has found a better deal, as I am stuck using replacement for an indeterminant period of time.

    Thanks John,

    Pat

    wal-mart
    Pat-
    I can't tolerate anything but the liquid supplements right now so I rely on those 350 cal drinks, too. I get the "Nutritional Shake PLUS" at Wal-Mart (Equate/ wal-mart brand) and they are $6.97 per 6 pack- so $1.16 each. I thought that was pretty good as there are no additional shipping costs, etc.... Kylie
  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #7
    KJCorri said:

    wal-mart
    Pat-
    I can't tolerate anything but the liquid supplements right now so I rely on those 350 cal drinks, too. I get the "Nutritional Shake PLUS" at Wal-Mart (Equate/ wal-mart brand) and they are $6.97 per 6 pack- so $1.16 each. I thought that was pretty good as there are no additional shipping costs, etc.... Kylie

    that's pretty good
    I haven't had that much luck at my local WalMarts. I've occasionally found equate, but either higher priced, or out of stock. And we pay 9 1/4 percent sales tax where I live, which is near the home office of Walmart:) Sams has been no good at all; nothing but ensure, and higher price. I will remember what you've said for when I travel.

    Pat
  • KJCorri
    KJCorri Member Posts: 14
    #8
    longtermsurvivor said:

    that's pretty good
    I haven't had that much luck at my local WalMarts. I've occasionally found equate, but either higher priced, or out of stock. And we pay 9 1/4 percent sales tax where I live, which is near the home office of Walmart:) Sams has been no good at all; nothing but ensure, and higher price. I will remember what you've said for when I travel.

    Pat

    Arkansas?
    Hey Pat!

    You must be in Arkansas? I am actually in Maumelle, just north of Little Rock. Yeah- Wal-mart can be hit and miss but in the surrounding areas I have not had any trouble finding the "PLUS" nutritional shakes- i must be pretty lucky. I never go to Sam's anymore- wal-mart or Kroger generic brand stuff is cheaper and you don't have to buy 2 (or 8) of everything!! Good Luck to you! Kylie
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #9
    Ensure Plus
    Is the 350 calorie variety...

    Pat, here in Florida, and now in several SE states there is a grocer (based here in Lakeland, FL.), called Publix.

    When I was going through treatment, Publix carried their Publix brand of Ensure Plus..., a little more generic packaging, but the exact same ingredients, mineral and vitamin count, also 350 calories...and it was a few dollars less than the Ensure Plus.

    You night contact them to see if they can ship it...

    JG
  • luv4lacrosse
    luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
    #10
    longtermsurvivor said:

    I need the calories, as I just can't eat enough to keep weight
    up yet. The regular ensure and similar products are 250 calories/8 oz. I can buy them for about $1.25 each at Sams. But the higher calorie stuff, 350 or 360 cal, is about $1.50 each, plus tax. I used to get a product made by GoodSense at Walgreens, for 7.88 plus tax for six cans, but they can't get it anymore. So these on the internet at about 1.10 each (360 calories) is a really good deal. Similarly the powdered stuff, like scandishake, is a real ripoff. lots of calories (600 when you mix with 8oz milk) but it costs over $2.00 per serving. I can find it on ebay if I am patient, for about $1.25. It may seem like this is splitting hairs, but over time, the difference of half a buck per serving, times two or three a day really does add up. I'm curious to know what others are doing, or if anyone has found a better deal, as I am stuck using replacement for an indeterminant period of time.

    Thanks John,

    Pat

    WHEY PROTIEN
    Pat, I use a powdered Whey Protien product made by Muscletech. I get it at Wal-Mart and a big tub costs about $19.00. I use 90 grams, (3 scoops) with 1% or 2% milk in a blender. This serving gives me 360 calories plus the calories in the milk. They key to taking this much protien 1-2 times a day is to stay hydrated as it is hard to process and can cause constipation.

    Mike

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