Horlicks Diabetes Plus Drink Mix
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Horlicks Diabetes Plus Drink Mix is a vanilla milk-based powder with added fibre, made for people managing blood sugar. It scores [F]BB2: nutrition is solid on protein and fibre but leans on fortification, ingredients lose points for a sweetener, flavouring and emulsifier, and risk is low as made. Fine as one daily mug, not a replacement for meals.
Ingredients, decoded
9 listed- Milk Solids
- Dietary Fibre (26%)
- Wheat Dextrin (18%)
- Corn Dextrin (8%)
- Edible Vegetable Fat Powder
- High Oleic Sunflower Oil
- Corn Solids
- Sodium Caseinate
- Emulsifier (INS 471)
- Antioxidant (INS 305)
- Nature Identical Flavouring Substances
- Minerals
- Soy Protein Isolate
- Medium Chain Triglyceride Oil (Palm Kernel Oil)
- Vitamins
- Non-Caloric Sweetener (INS 950)
5½ teaspoons of sugar in every 100 g of powder · 28 g total sugar, 5 g a teaspoon
| Energy | 356 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 20 g |
| Carbohydrates | 35.5 g |
| Total sugars | 28 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Dietary fibre | 22 g |
| Total fat | 10 g |
| Saturated fat | 2.5 g |
| Trans fat | 0.1 g |
| Cholesterol | 15 mg |
| Sodium | 450 mg |
| Vitamin A | 556 µg |
| Vitamin B1 | 1.1 mg |
| Vitamin B2 | 1.2 mg |
| Vitamin B3 | 14.8 mg |
| Vitamin B5 | 3.1 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 1.6 mg |
| Vitamin B7 | 18.5 µg |
| Folic acid | 380 µg |
| Vitamin B12 | 3 µg |
| Vitamin C | 55.5 mg |
| Vitamin D | 6.2 µg |
| Vitamin E | 12.3 mg |
| Vitamin K | 13.6 µg |
| Calcium | 617 mg |
| Iron | 13 mg |
| Magnesium | 160 mg |
| Zinc | 2.9 mg |
| Selenium | 42 µg |
| Copper | 0.34 mg |
| Chromium | 21.6 µg |
Think this score is wrong?
What to know about Horlicks Diabetes Plus Drink Mix
22 g fibre, no added sugar, one sweetener
Horlicks Diabetes Plus Drink Mix is a vanilla-flavoured malted-style powder sold in a 400 g pack (other sizes exist) to people managing blood sugar. It is built from milk solids, dietary fibre (26%: wheat dextrin 18%, corn dextrin 8%), a vegetable fat powder, soy protein isolate and medium chain triglyceride oil from palm kernel oil, sweetened with acesulfame potassium (INS 950).
Per 100 g it has 356 kcal, 20 g protein, 22 g fibre, 10 g fat and 28 g total sugar, all of it naturally occurring, with 0 g added sugar. One 30 g serve (about 2 levelled scoops) gives roughly 107 kcal, 6 g protein, 6.6 g fibre and 8.4 g sugar. Stirred into 200 ml of toned milk, the mug is about 230 kcal. Vitamins and minerals are added, with 617 mg calcium and 12.96 mg iron per 100 g.
The pack promises help with blood sugar, a low GI of 34 and zero added sugar. The zero added sugar holds, but no tested GI source is given for the low GI figure. The label lists flavouring, an emulsifier and a sweetener that the pack says is not recommended for children, pregnant or lactating women. CleanPlate scores it [F]BB2.
Why Horlicks Diabetes Plus Drink Mix scores [F]BB2
Nutrition is a B on 20 g protein and 22 g fibre per 100 g, helped by added vitamins and minerals. Ingredients are a B, and risk is a 2 because the made-up drink is light.
Good nutrient density
- Protein
- 20 g
- Fibre
- 22 g
- Vitamins and minerals
- 20 declared
- Energy
- 356 kcal
01 Nutrition density: why B
Protein is 20 g per 100 g, with milk solids the largest source, and 22 g per 100 g of fibre comes from added wheat and corn dextrin. In one 30 g serve that is about 6 g protein and 6.6 g fibre.
Added vitamins and minerals lift the grade: calcium, iron, zinc and vitamins A, B, C and D are all fortified. Without that fortification, nutrition would be a D, so the B depends on it.
Scored on protein, fibre and twelve vitamins and minerals, against the Codex and FSSAI "source" and "high" levels, per 100 g and per 100 kcal. Protein also has to supply at least 12.5% of the calories to count, and 25% for full credit.
Good, few concerning additives
- Base
- Milk Solids
- Main fat
- Edible Vegetable Fat Po...
- Sweeteners
- None added
- Additives
- 1
- Flagged
- Acesulfame Potassium
02 Ingredient integrity: why B
Milk solids lead the list, followed by dextrin fibre, a vegetable fat powder and soy protein isolate. That is a reasonable base, and the grade holds at a B.
Three additives cost ingredient points: acesulfame potassium (INS 950) costs the most, then the nature-identical flavouring and the emulsifier mono- and diglycerides (INS 471). The low GI claim, printed with no tested GI value, costs a small label point.
Scored on how processed the ingredients are, which additives are used and why, and whether the label keeps its promises.
Low risk
Per 100 g as made
- Free sugar
- 0 g
- Sodium
- 95.6 mg
- Saturated fat
- 2.1 g
- Trans fat
- 0.08 g
Scored on the drink as made: 30 g in 200 ml of toned milk, from the pack's directions. As sold, the powder has 450 mg sodium and 0 g added sugar per 100 g.
03 Load risk: why 2
Risk is scored on the drink as made: 30 g in 200 ml of toned milk is 236 g, at about 98 kcal per 100 g. Energy is the largest part, then sodium and saturated fat.
Free sugar is 0 g, so sugar adds nothing. Saturated fat (2.06 g), sodium (95.6 mg) and trans fat are counted at the upper limits the pack prints, so the real figures may be lower. That lands on a 2.
Scored on free sugar, sodium, saturated fat and trans fat, each weighed by how strong the evidence of harm is.
[F] Added vitamins or minerals meaningfully lift this product's nutrition grade. Without them it would score lower.
Red flags
- −Red flag: High sugar (28g per 100g)
- −Red flag: Contains Acesulfame Potassium
Green flags
- +Green flag: Source of protein (20g)
- +Green flag: High fibre (22g)
- +Green flag: No added sugar
Does Horlicks Diabetes Plus Drink Mix live up to its claims?
Zero added sugar and the fibre and protein figures hold. The low GI of 34 has no tested source, and blood-sugar and clinically proven claims cannot be checked from the label.
- On the packBe careful
“Helps manage blood sugar, clinically proven”
The fibre is real at 22 g per 100 g and added sugar is 0 g, but the label gives no study details to check the clinical claim. Total sugar is still 28 g per 100 g, naturally occurring.
- On the packBe careful
“Low GI 34”
A GI figure is printed on the front with no tested value or source given. This costs a small label point in the ingredient grade.
- On the packHolds
“Zero added sugar”
Added sugar is 0 g. The pack notes this means sucrose, and that the 28 g per 100 g of total sugar is naturally occurring, about 8.4 g per serve.
- On the packHolds
“22 g Fibre”
22 g per 100 g from wheat and corn dextrin, about 6.6 g per 30 g serve. The pack says diabetics need at least 25 g a day.
- On the packHolds
“20 g High Protein”
20 g per 100 g, about 6 g per serve, mainly from milk solids with some soy protein isolate.
What's in Horlicks Diabetes Plus Drink Mix?
Milk solids, dextrin fibre and a vegetable fat powder lead the list. The sweetener acesulfame potassium, the flavouring and the emulsifier are what cost ingredient points.
The ingredient list, read for you
Milk solids come first, then dietary fibre at 26% (wheat dextrin 18%, corn dextrin 8%), which supplies the fibre. The vegetable fat powder holds high oleic sunflower oil, corn solids, sodium caseinate, an emulsifier (INS 471) and an antioxidant (INS 305), and gives the creamy body.
Soy protein isolate adds protein, medium chain triglyceride oil (from palm kernel oil) adds fat, and nature-identical flavouring gives the vanilla taste. Acesulfame potassium (INS 950) does the sweetening. Vitamins and minerals are listed as groups without being named.
Ingredients to watch
- Acesulfame potassium (INS 950)Worth watching
The sweetener that stands in for sugar, and the biggest cost in the ingredient grade. The pack says it is not recommended for children, pregnant or lactating women.
- Flavouring and emulsifier (INS 471)Worth watching
Nature-identical flavouring and mono- and diglycerides each cost ingredient points.
- FortificationWorth watching
Added vitamins and minerals lift nutrition to a B. Without them it would be a D.
- Natural sugarsWorth watching
28 g total sugar per 100 g, about 8.4 g per serve, all naturally occurring. Added sugar is 0 g.
- Fibre and proteinFine
22 g fibre and 20 g protein per 100 g, so about 6.6 g and 6 g in a 30 g serve.
What it doesn’t have
- The vitamins and minerals are listed as groups, without naming each one in the ingredients.
Who should eat Horlicks Diabetes Plus Drink Mix?
A few times a week for most adults. Children should avoid it, since the pack advises against the sweetener for them, and people with diabetes should check with their doctor.
- Most adultsA few times a week
One 30 g serve is about 107 kcal, though a sweetener and flavouring are in it.
- ChildrenAvoid
The pack says acesulfame potassium is not recommended for children.
- Diabetes or prediabetesCheck with your doctor
0 g added sugar, but 8.4 g natural sugar per serve and a low GI figure with no tested source.
- Weight managementA few times a week
About 107 kcal as powder, about 230 kcal with toned milk.
Horlicks Diabetes Plus Drink Mix: common questions
What is the CleanPlate score of Horlicks Diabetes Plus Drink Mix?
Horlicks Diabetes Plus Drink Mix is a vanilla milk-based powder with added fibre, made for people managing blood sugar. It scores [F]BB2: nutrition is solid on protein and fibre but leans on fortification, ingredients lose points for a sweetener, flavouring and emulsifier, and risk is low as made. Fine as one daily mug, not a replacement for meals. Nutrition B, ingredients B, load risk 2; nutrition and ingredients run A to E, risk runs 1 to 5, and A and 1 are best.
How many calories and how much protein are in Horlicks Diabetes Plus Drink Mix?
Per 100 g of powder, Horlicks Diabetes Plus Drink Mix has 356 kcal, 20 g protein, 35.5 g carbohydrate, 10 g fat and 2.5 g saturated fat. Load risk is scored on the product as made (30 g in 200 ml of toned milk), which gives 95.6 mg sodium, 2.1 g saturated fat and 0 g free sugar per 100 ml.
What are the ingredients in Horlicks Diabetes Plus Drink Mix?
9 ingredients, in label order: Milk Solids, Dietary Fibre (26%) (Wheat Dextrin (18%), Corn Dextrin (8%)), Edible Vegetable Fat Powder (High Oleic Sunflower Oil, Corn Solids, Sodium Caseinate, Emulsifier (INS 471), Antioxidant (INS 305)), Nature Identical Flavouring Substances, Minerals, Soy Protein Isolate, Medium Chain Triglyceride Oil (Palm Kernel Oil), Vitamins, Non-Caloric Sweetener (INS 950). Flagged: Acesulfame Potassium (low concern).
Does Horlicks Diabetes Plus Drink Mix live up to its claims?
5 claims checked: 3 hold, 2 need care. "Helps manage blood sugar, clinically proven" needs care: The fibre is real at 22 g per 100 g and added sugar is 0 g, but the label gives no study details to check the clinical claim. Total sugar is still 28 g per 100 g, naturally occurring. "Low GI 34" needs care: A GI figure is printed on the front with no tested value or source given. This costs a small label point in the ingredient grade.
Who should limit Horlicks Diabetes Plus Drink Mix?
Most adults: a few times a week. One 30 g serve is about 107 kcal, though a sweetener and flavouring are in it. Children: avoid. The pack says acesulfame potassium is not recommended for children. Diabetes or prediabetes: check with your doctor. 0 g added sugar, but 8.4 g natural sugar per serve and a low GI figure with no tested source.
How much sugar, salt and saturated fat does Horlicks Diabetes Plus Drink Mix have?
Per 100 g of powder, Horlicks Diabetes Plus Drink Mix has 0 g added sugar, 450 mg sodium (about 1.1 g salt) and 2.5 g saturated fat. The FSSAI and UK FSA "high" lines are 10 g added sugar, 600 mg sodium and 5 g saturated fat per 100 g. It is high in sugar.
Last reviewed October 24, 2026. Scored with the CleanPlate method from the published label. Spotted a mistake? .
