PediaSure Vanilla 7+ Specialized Nutrition for Growing Children Drink Mix
Published
PediaSure Vanilla is a fortified milk-and-maltodextrin drink powder made for school-age children, stirred into milk. It scores [F][L]CC3: nutrition rests on added vitamins and minerals, ingredients lose points because vanilla is named but only flavouring is listed, and risk is moderate on added sugar and sodium. Fine as an occasional top-up, not a replacement for meals.
Ingredients, decoded
9 listed- Maltodextrin
- skim milk powder
- sucrose
- fructo-oligosaccharides (3.6%)
- Minerals$
- flavorings (Artificial And Nature Identical Flavoring Substances - Vanilla)
- oats powder (1.0%)
- almond powder (1.0%)
- Vitamins#
5½ teaspoons of sugar in every 100 g · 27 g total sugar, 5 g a teaspoon
| Energy | 364 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 11 g |
| Carbohydrates | 77.5 g |
| Total sugars | 27 g |
| Added sugars | 12 g |
| Total fat | 0.5 g |
| Saturated fat | 0.4 g |
| Trans fat | 0.02 g |
| Cholesterol | 20 mg |
| Sodium | 270 mg |
| Iron | 6 mg |
| Zinc | 3.3 mg |
| Niacin | 6.8 mg |
| Biotin | 15 µg |
| Calcium | 744 mg |
| Copper | 220 µg |
| Iodine | 65 µg |
| Chloride | 505 mg |
| Magnesium | 60 mg |
| Manganese | 1 mg |
| Potassium | 500 mg |
| Selenium | 20 µg |
| Vitamin C | 57 mg |
| Vitamin E | 4.7 mg |
| Phosphorus | 220 mg |
| Vitamin A | 350 µg |
| Vitamin B1 | 1.2 mg |
| Vitamin B2 | 1.1 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 1.1 mg |
| Vitamin D | 8.3 µg |
| Vitamin K | 33 µg |
| Folic acid | 100 µg |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.34 µg |
| Pantothenic acid | 2.5 mg |
Think this score is wrong?
What to know about PediaSure Vanilla 7+ Specialized Nutrition for Growing Children Drink Mix
A fortified milk drink with sugar and no vanilla
A 400 g tub of vanilla drink powder for children aged 7 and above, built on maltodextrin, skim milk powder and sucrose, with fructo-oligosaccharides (3.6%), added minerals and vitamins, flavouring, oats powder (1.0%) and almond powder (1.0%). Parents buy it as a growth-and-nutrition top-up for children who eat unevenly.
Per 100 g the powder has 364 kcal, 11 g protein, 27 g total sugar (12 g of it added) and 270 mg sodium. A 30 g serve, about two tablespoons stirred into 150 ml of cow's milk, gives 109 kcal, 3.3 g protein, 3.6 g added sugar and 223 mg calcium from the powder alone, before the milk. The tub holds about 13 serves.
The front says Vanilla, and the list has no vanilla: the taste comes from artificial and nature-identical flavouring substances, and that sets the [L] flag. The oats and almond on the front are real but 1.0% each. CleanPlate scores it [F][L]CC3.
Does PediaSure Vanilla 7+ Specialized Nutrition for Growing Children Drink Mix live up to its claims?
The protein and trans-fat-free claims hold, oats and almond are real but 1.0% each, and the vanilla in the name is not in the list. Height gain depends on the whole diet.
- Product nameMisleading
“Vanilla Flavour”
Vanilla is named but not listed. The taste comes from artificial and nature-identical flavouring substances.
- On the packPartly true
“with Oats & Almond”
Both are real, but oats powder is 1.0% and almond powder is 1.0% of the powder. Maltodextrin and sucrose lead the list.
- On the packHolds
“High Quality Protein”
The protein is mostly milk protein from skim milk powder. It is 11 g per 100 g, so about 3.3 g in a 30 g serve.
- On the packBe careful
“Height Gain”
The nutrients named are present, with 744 mg calcium per 100 g and 8.3 mcg vitamin D. The pack says the claims apply with two serves a day in milk, and that it is not the sole source of nutrition.
- On the packHolds
“Trans Fat Free”
Trans fat is declared at 0.02 g per 100 g and no hydrogenated fat is listed.
Why PediaSure Vanilla 7+ Specialized Nutrition for Growing Children Drink Mix scores [L][F]CC3
Nutrition is a C only because of added vitamins and minerals; without them it would be an E. Ingredients are a C because vanilla is named but absent, and risk is a 3 on 12 g added sugar per 100 g.
Adequate nutrient density
- Protein
- 11 g
- Fibre
- Not declared
- Vitamins and minerals
- 24 declared
- Energy
- 364 kcal
01 Nutrition density: why C
Without added nutrients the core score is 0: protein is 11 g per 100 g, about 12% of the calories, and no fibre is isolated. The grade rests on fortification, which adds vitamins A, C, D, B1, B2, B6, B12, folate, calcium, iron and zinc and lifts the grade from an E to a C.
Calcium is 744 mg and iron 6.0 mg per 100 g, so a 30 g serve brings 223 mg and 1.8 mg. Those are real amounts, but they are added, not from the food base.
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.
Mixed processing and additives
- Base
- Maltodextrin
- Sweeteners
- Maltodextrin
- Additives
- 0
- Flagged
- Maltodextrin
- Artificial flavour or colour
- Yes
02 Ingredient integrity: why C
Maltodextrin, skim milk powder and sucrose lead the list, so the base is refined carbohydrate and milk solids. Only fructo-oligosaccharides, oats and almond carry declared percentages, and the oats and almond are 1.0% each.
Artificial and nature-identical flavouring costs ingredient points. Vanilla is in the name and not in the list, which costs label-integrity points and sets the [L]. No hydrogenated fat is listed, so the declared trans fat of 0.02 g per 100 g is accepted.
Scored on how processed the ingredients are, which additives are used and why, and whether the label keeps its promises.
Moderate risk
- Added sugar
- 12 g
- Sodium
- 270 mg
- Saturated fat
- 0.4 g
- Trans fat
- 0.02 g
03 Load risk: why 3
Added sugar is the biggest driver: 12 g per 100 g, from sucrose. Sodium is next at 270 mg per 100 g, then energy at 364 kcal per 100 g.
Saturated fat is low at 0.4 g per 100 g and plays almost no part. A 30 g serve has 3.6 g added sugar and 81 mg sodium from the powder.
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.
[L] The name or pack claims promise more than the ingredient list delivers. See Claims vs reality.
Red flags
- −Red flag: High added sugar (12g per 100g)
- −Red flag: Contains Maltodextrin
Green flags
Nothing stands out in its favour.
What's in PediaSure Vanilla 7+ Specialized Nutrition for Growing Children Drink Mix?
Maltodextrin, skim milk powder and sucrose lead the list, with fortification added. Watch the added sugar and the missing vanilla.
The ingredient list, read for you
Maltodextrin, skim milk powder and sucrose come first, so the powder is mostly carbohydrate with milk solids for protein and calcium. Fructo-oligosaccharides (3.6%) are a prebiotic fibre, and the vitamin and mineral mixes make up the fortification.
Flavouring gives the vanilla taste, and oats powder (1.0%) and almond powder (1.0%) come last. The pack states it contains milk, oats and nut.
Ingredients to watch
- Vanilla named, not listedConcern
The list has artificial and nature-identical flavouring substances and no vanilla. This costs ingredient points and sets the [L].
- Added sugar and maltodextrinWorth watching
12 g added sugar per 100 g, 3.6 g per serve, on top of a maltodextrin base. Carbohydrate is 77.5 g per 100 g.
- SodiumWorth watching
270 mg per 100 g, about 81 mg in a 30 g serve from the powder.
- Vitamins and mineralsFine
Added calcium, iron, zinc and vitamins A, C, D and B12 and others. A serve has 223 mg calcium and 1.8 mg iron.
- Saturated fatFine
0.4 g per 100 g, and trans fat is 0.02 g.
What it doesn’t have
- No percentage is given for maltodextrin, skim milk powder or sucrose, the three ingredients that lead the list.
Who should eat PediaSure Vanilla 7+ Specialized Nutrition for Growing Children Drink Mix?
An occasional top-up for most adults, and a few times a week for children, who are the intended users. People managing blood sugar or weight should go lighter.
- Most adultsOccasionally
Made for children; 364 kcal and 12 g added sugar per 100 g add little for an adult.
- ChildrenA few times a week
Added vitamins and calcium, but 3.6 g added sugar per serve and a maltodextrin base.
- Diabetes or prediabetesOccasionally
77.5 g carbohydrate per 100 g, mostly maltodextrin, with 12 g added sugar.
- Weight managementOccasionally
109 kcal per serve from the powder before the milk, with 11 g protein per 100 g.
PediaSure Vanilla 7+ Specialized Nutrition for Growing Children Drink Mix: common questions
What is the CleanPlate score of PediaSure Vanilla 7+ Specialized Nutrition for Growing Children Drink Mix?
PediaSure Vanilla is a fortified milk-and-maltodextrin drink powder made for school-age children, stirred into milk. It scores [F][L]CC3: nutrition rests on added vitamins and minerals, ingredients lose points because vanilla is named but only flavouring is listed, and risk is moderate on added sugar and sodium. Fine as an occasional top-up, not a replacement for meals. CleanPlate scores it [L][F]CC3: nutrition C, ingredients C, load risk 3 (A and 1 are best).
How many calories and how much protein are in PediaSure Vanilla 7+ Specialized Nutrition for Growing Children Drink Mix?
Per 100 g, PediaSure Vanilla 7+ Specialized Nutrition for Growing Children Drink Mix has 364 kcal, 11 g protein, 77.5 g carbohydrate, 0.5 g fat and 0.4 g saturated fat. One serve (30 g powder in 150 ml milk) has 109 kcal and 3.3 g protein.
What are the ingredients in PediaSure Vanilla 7+ Specialized Nutrition for Growing Children Drink Mix?
9 ingredients, in label order: Maltodextrin, skim milk powder, sucrose, fructo-oligosaccharides (3.6%), Minerals$, flavorings (Artificial And Nature Identical Flavoring Substances - Vanilla), oats powder (1.0%), almond powder (1.0%), Vitamins#. Flagged: Maltodextrin (low concern).
Does PediaSure Vanilla 7+ Specialized Nutrition for Growing Children Drink Mix live up to its claims?
5 claims checked: 2 hold, 1 is partly true, 1 needs care, 1 is misleading. "Vanilla Flavour" is misleading: Vanilla is named but not listed. The taste comes from artificial and nature-identical flavouring substances. "with Oats & Almond" is partly true: Both are real, but oats powder is 1.0% and almond powder is 1.0% of the powder. Maltodextrin and sucrose lead the list.
Who should limit PediaSure Vanilla 7+ Specialized Nutrition for Growing Children Drink Mix?
Most adults: occasionally. Made for children; 364 kcal and 12 g added sugar per 100 g add little for an adult. Children: a few times a week. Added vitamins and calcium, but 3.6 g added sugar per serve and a maltodextrin base. Diabetes or prediabetes: occasionally. 77.5 g carbohydrate per 100 g, mostly maltodextrin, with 12 g added sugar.
How much sugar, salt and saturated fat does PediaSure Vanilla 7+ Specialized Nutrition for Growing Children Drink Mix have?
Per 100 g, PediaSure Vanilla 7+ Specialized Nutrition for Growing Children Drink Mix has 12 g added sugar, 270 mg sodium (about 0.7 g salt) and 0.4 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 29, 2026. Scored with the CleanPlate method from the published label. Spotted a mistake? .
Label read on 29 October 2026, from photos of the pack. If the pack has changed since, tell us.
Score history (1)
| Date | Score | Method | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29 October 2026 | CC3 | v5.0 | First scored |
Every change to this score is logged. See corrections and the method changelog.
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