Parents often mix up these two pediatric drinks, but they do very different jobs. Here is a complete, side-by-side guide.
The Short Answer
Pedialyte and PediaSure serve different purposes, with Pedialyte used for hydration and PediaSure for nutritional support. PediaSure is a nutritional supplement intended to support children’s growth or address inadequate nutrition. Pedialyte helps replace fluids and electrolytes lost during dehydration, including after vomiting or diarrhea. Pedialyte replaces fluids and electrolytes rather than providing meaningful nutrition. Pedialyte is generally used temporarily when a child is sick, while PediaSure can be incorporated into a child’s regular diet.
One source discusses Pedialyte and sports drinks but does not compare Pedialyte with PediaSure. Another compares four PediaSure products to help parents choose a nutrition drink for their child, but it does not compare PediaSure with Pedialyte. That is why this guide puts both together.
What Is Pedialyte?
Pedialyte is formulated with a balance of electrolytes and glucose to help rehydrate the body. Pedialyte is designed to keep people hydrated longer than water by using an optimal balance of sugar and sodium. Pedialyte generally contains less sugar than sports drinks while providing electrolytes.
Electrolytes are minerals that help regulate fluid balance, support nerve and muscle signals, and maintain proper blood pH. Pedialyte states that it has been scientifically backed since 1966 and is the number-one brand recommended by pediatricians, doctors, and pharmacists.
Popular Pedialyte Products
- Pedialyte Fast Hydration Powder Packs are intended for convenient, on-the-go hydration.
- Pedialyte Sport Liters contain five key electrolytes and are marketed for hydration and muscle support.
- Pedialyte with Immune Support Powder Packs contain zinc, vitamins C and E, and vitamin B12.
- Pedialyte AdvancedCare Plus Liters contain 33% more electrolytes than original Pedialyte, based on sodium electrolyte content.
What Is PediaSure?
Pediasure was developed by Abbott and has been sold in the United States since 1988. PediaSure products provide protein, calories, vitamins, and minerals. PediaSure may help supplement the diets of picky eaters or children who struggle to eat enough. PediaSure may be used for underweight or ill children to help maintain or increase weight, sometimes under medical supervision.
PediaSure should not replace meals and may be unnecessary for healthy children who already eat a balanced diet.
PediaSure Product Range
Pediasure products include Grow and Gain, Sidekicks, Pro, Organic, and specialty formulas for tube feeding. PediaSure Grow & Gain is available as powder and ready-to-drink products.
- PediaSure Grow & Gain with Fiber is positioned as supporting a healthy digestive system.
- PediaSure Shake Mix provides 220 calories, 6 grams of protein, 9 grams of fat, less than 1 gram of fiber, and 23 vitamins and minerals per serving made with five scoops of powder and water.
- PediaSure Protein provides 80 calories, 14 grams of protein, 2 grams of fat, less than 1 gram of fiber, and 27 vitamins and minerals per 8-fluid-ounce serving.
- PediaSure Protein is described as a high-protein snack with zero sugar, although it is not a low-calorie food.
The page advises parents to consult a pediatrician if they are unsure which PediaSure product is appropriate for their child.
PediaSure 1+ vs PediaSure 3+
PediaSure 1+ is intended for children aged 1–3, while PediaSure 3+ is intended for children aged 3–10. Compared with PediaSure 1+, PediaSure 3+ contains 40% more fiber, 25% more calcium, and higher levels of zinc and folic acid.
PediaSure 3+ and another milk or milk alternative do not need to be given simultaneously because PediaSure already provides essential vitamins and minerals.
How Much and How to Prepare
A 225 ml serving is prepared by mixing five scoops of PediaSure with 190 ml of water. The recommended daily amount is two servings for children aged 3–8 and two to three servings for children aged 9–10. Children aged 1–3 are recommended to have one serving of PediaSure 1+ per day.
Mixing PediaSure with milk increases its calories and nutrients but adds lactose, so a lactose-free preparation becomes unsuitable for lactose avoidance. An opened can of PediaSure should be used within three weeks and stored in a cool, dry place without refrigeration. PediaSure should not be heated in a microwave because high temperatures may destroy its prebiotics and Lactobacillus bacteria.
Allergies, Diets and Ingredients
- PediaSure contains milk or cow’s-milk protein and is unsuitable for children with cow’s-milk protein allergy.
- Some PediaSure products are described as suitable for lactose intolerance but unsuitable for galactosemia.
- PediaSure is gluten-free and described as suitable for children with gluten sensitivity.
- PediaSure products are Halaal certified but are not Kosher certified.
- PediaSure contains FOS prebiotics, which are also naturally found in foods such as bananas, asparagus, garlic, and onions.
- PediaSure contains maltodextrin and sucrose as carbohydrate sources, and excessive sugar intake should be discussed with a nutritionist or pediatrician.
- PediaSure 3+ may be included in a diabetic child’s meal plan only when prescribed by a pediatrician or dietitian with carbohydrate and calorie counting.
What the Research Says
The page reports improved nutritional adequacy, appetite, and activity within four weeks and visible growth within eight weeks in cited clinical studies.
Can Adults Use PediaSure?
Pediasure may help adults gain weight by increasing total calorie, protein, and micronutrient intake. Three bottles of Pediasure Grow and Gain provide about 720 calories and 21 grams of protein. Pediasure is unlikely to increase an adult’s height because growth plates generally close by the end of puberty.
Adults may prefer Pediasure because it is easy to drink and comes in sweet flavors that may be appealing when appetite or taste is reduced. Pediasure can be used with meals or as a snack, particularly by people who have difficulty chewing or swallowing solid foods.
Downsides: Sugar and Cost
An 8-ounce serving of Pediasure Grow and Gain contains 12 grams of sugar, so multiple servings may contribute substantially to daily added-sugar intake. Pediasure is relatively expensive, costing about $1.92 per bottle in the cited example or roughly $115 per month at two bottles daily.
Dietary strategies should generally be tried before nutritional supplements for adult weight gain. Eating frequent meals and snacks, choosing nutrient-dense foods, and making homemade high-calorie shakes are alternatives to commercial nutritional drinks.
Food-First Alternatives to PediaSure
A balanced diet for children should prioritize whole foods and limit sugary, salty, and ultra-processed foods. Whole-food sources suitable for children include whole grains, beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, and eggs. Protein-rich foods such as meat, fish, eggs, dairy, legumes, nuts, seeds, and soy can help meet children’s nutritional needs without relying on supplements.
Homemade smoothies can provide customizable nutrition using plant-based milk, fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, and nut butter. Suggested PediaSure alternatives include banana milkshakes, chocolate-banana smoothies, and plant-based complete nutrition shakes.
Else Kids Complete Nutrition Ready-to-Drink Shakes are marketed as a dairy-free, plant-based supplement for children over two that contains plant protein, unsaturated fats, complex carbohydrates, fiber, and 25 vitamins and minerals.
Food Allergies and Picky Eaters
Children with food allergies or picky eating patterns may benefit from avoiding trigger foods, offering varied alternatives, introducing foods patiently, and adapting meals with smaller portions or finger foods.
Weaning Off PediaSure
Children can transition from PediaSure gradually by introducing new foods alongside it or mixing a new smoothie with PediaSure in progressively smaller proportions. Involving children in meal planning and preparation may encourage them to try new foods while teaching nutrition and cooking skills.
Parents changing a child’s diet should monitor growth and consult a healthcare provider to ensure adequate nutrition and avoid deficiencies.
Homemade Versions for a Sick Day
The article presents homemade alternatives to Pedialyte and Pediasure for illness-related hydration and nutrition. It claims commercial Pedialyte is expensive and must be discarded after 24 hours once opened.
Homemade Pedialyte
The homemade Pedialyte recipe combines 1/2 cup Smart Water, 1/4 cup unflavored coconut water, and 2 tablespoons organic unfiltered apple juice. The article recommends drinking the homemade Pedialyte after each vomiting or diarrhea episode.
After clear liquids stay down, the article recommends progressing to the BRAT diet of bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. The article suggests toast with coconut oil and cinnamon during recovery and attributes antimicrobial and digestive benefits to both ingredients.
Homemade Pediasure
The homemade Pediasure recipe uses 3/4 cup rice, almond, or coconut milk, 1/2 frozen banana, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon raw local honey, and 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil. The article advises avoiding dairy in the homemade Pediasure because it may be difficult to digest after a stomach virus. The homemade Pediasure ingredients should be blended together, with the coconut oil heated and added slowly while blending.
Bottom Line
Choose Pedialyte when your child is dehydrated from vomiting or diarrhea. Choose PediaSure only when a child needs extra nutrition, ideally with a pediatrician’s guidance.