Abstract: High calorie solutions of low molecular weight glucose polymer mixtures useful for intravenous administration, preferably via a peripheral vein, are disclosed. Methods of preparing the solutions and their preferred rate of infusion at less than 5 mg./min./kg. of patient body weight are also disclosed. The solutions can be isotonic to human blood at 20-50% W/V as the glucose polymer mixtures have an average degree of polymerization ranging from 4 to 10. At the preferred rate of infusion high utilization of the glucose polymers infused occurs in human patients, including diabetics. The utilization can be further enhanced by concomitant injections of insulin. The solutions can be administered concomitantly with amino acids, lipid emulsions, vitamins and electrolytes.