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Hi The Ensure type drinks come in several "flavors" from citrus type to milk shake variety........Mother doesn't like milk shakes but will drink the citrus ones.....seems that I remember that they are about 500 calories for a small container. Mother is offered one of these drinks as a mid morning snack as well as an afternoon snack at the nursing home..........It did help with weight loss for a time, now she refuses these drinks also most of the time, or has only a few sips (non Parkinson's patient and she is slowly dying from other causes). Your hospital dietician probably has several brands of these drinks available for you/your mother to select from. Have you spoken with the dietician re: your Mom's diet? If she is having memory loss.....have you tried a clear cup with a lid and straw........My mother did not recognize a solid cup or pitcher as having liquid in it and would not remember to drink unless told. When we replaced this with translucent containers where she could see the liquid, she would sometimes drink without suggestion from staff or visitors. You comment that your mom has lost a lot of weight in a short time....is she dehydrated? If you pinch the skin on the back of her hand does it "stay pinched" after you release your fingers? This is a simple way to check for low fluids....... Rita Weeks 54/9