The Huel brand has been around for a while, gaining popularity among everyone from models to those in the military to bodybuilders. But are Huel meals (hello, Hot and Salty varieties), shakes, and bars actually good for you? And if that’s your goal, can they really help with weight loss?
Founded on the principle of reducing food to the basics of nutrition, many people find Huel cheaper and easier than eating regular food; some even claim that they can survive on Huel alone due to its nutritional structure. The company now also has protein shakes in a wide variety of flavors. So actually there should be something for everyone!
But before you immediately start adding twenty sachets of this magical buzzing Huel powder or Huel food to your cart, it’s important to keep in mind that online forums are full of ‘Hueligans’ sharing the initial unpleasant side effects. .
So how nutritious is Huel? Does powdered meal replacement really help with fat loss? And you should think about this Are you substituting suitable meals for a Huel shake? We asked an expert dietician for her opinion.
Huel review
What is Huel?
First, what is Huel? Huel is a nutritional powdered food brand; in other words, Human Fuel. Available in powder form or as a ready-made drink, in energy bars or leftovers, the idea behind Huel is that it can meet energy needs. All Your body’s nutritional needs will decrease if you switch to a beverage-only diet.
The brand initially started with just a ‘just add water’ shake, but now also has a range of hot dishes (like macaroni and cheese, Thai green curry and Mexican chili) as part of the Huel Hot and Savory range.
The main ingredients of the drink include oatmeal, sunflower, flaxseed, coconut, rice and dietary supplements of vitamins and minerals. Amino acids are also naturally derived from the ingredients, and given that these are the OG product, that’s mostly what we’ll be discussing here.
“Nutritionally balanced powdered foods, such as Huel, can be a convenient and useful meal alternative to use when, for whatever reason, it is difficult to achieve a nutritionally balanced meal using other foods,” explains registered dietitian Helen Gardiner. “Because when we are in a rush, they are preferable to a meal of convenient snack foods, which can be nutritionally poor and high in fat, sugar and/or salt.”
How many meals a day can you eat instead of Huel?
“This of course depends on the individual, their lifestyle, cooking skills, access to healthy, nutritious foods, eating habits and reasons for wanting to use a meal replacement product,” the dietitian advises.
“I suggest this Can be used up to one or two meals a day if necessary, maybe a few times a weekAs part of a healthy and balanced diet. But I would probably recommend using much less than that if possible.”
Serving a 400-calorie serving at each meal, Huel recommends switching up meals one to two times a day, but explains that some customers rely solely on their products for nutrition because it’s something they feel works for them. However, for the second one, this Negative Dietitian Helen can advise, citing an article that suggests that, given its significant amount of omega 3, long-term use of Huel may in some cases contribute to existing health problems.
Psychological reasons are another major reason why the dietitian believes relying on Huel for the majority of your food intake is not ideal. While Helen acknowledges that it may be possible to stay physically healthy by consuming Huel alone, she says, “It’s not something I would recommend because it would mean missing out on the joy of eating a wide range of other nutritious foods that are available to us and that’s it.” social and emotional benefits.”
Huel Black Edition – Brown Caramel (1.53kg)
Huel Black is a higher protein, lower carb version of Huel’s typical powder. It is also gluten-free.
Huel Berry drink (6 x 500ml bottles)
Now 21% Discount
Huel Nutritionally Complete Food Powder (Chocolate)
This OG vegan meal replacement powder from Huel promises all the nutrients you need.
Huel Complete Nutrition Bars
Choose from 2 flavors: chocolate caramel and pistachio caramel.
Huel Black Edition – Vanilla (1.53kg)
Huel Black is a higher protein, lower carb version of Huel’s typical powder. It is also gluten-free.
Mix and match Huel Drinks (6 x 500ml bottles)
Choose from 8 flavors: banana, fruit, chocolate, cinnamon swirl, iced coffee caramel, salted caramel, strawberries and cream, vanilla
What is the Huel Black edition?
In summary, it contains higher amounts of protein and fewer carbohydrates; The difference between Huel Powder v3.0 and Huel Black is the macronutrient distribution: the latter contains approximately 50% less carbohydrates and 33% more protein than the former. It is also gluten-free. A 400 kcal meal of Huel Black Edition contains a balanced macro portion of 17:40:40:3 (carbohydrates, fats, protein fiber) and 26 essential vitamins and minerals, while Huel v3.0 contains the remaining 400 kcal is. It has a macro portion of 37:30:30:3 per meal (carbohydrates, fats, protein, fiber) and the same vitamin and mineral content.
How can you start adding Huel to your diet?
Expert dietitian Helen Gardiner shares best practice advice if you’re looking to start ‘Huel-ing’ and sheds light on how to start incorporating Huel into your diet…
1. Check if it fits
Whether Huel is right for you depends on more than nutrition, says Helen. “Substituting meals specifically with a product like Huel can lead to social or emotional health issues and should be discouraged,” he notes, adding that food is not just “human fuel” but that consuming it in a balanced way has tons of benefits. Healthy eating (a broad selection of different food groups) including food range). It can help with everything from reducing your risk of certain diseases to helping your sleep cycle. “But that doesn’t mean a product like Huel can’t be included in that balanced diet,” points out Helen.
For vegans in particular, Huel can be a good way to maintain a balanced diet. “For those who want to follow a vegan diet, Huel is a good source of protein, vitamin D and vitamin B. [These] “It’s contained in good amounts in one serving of Huel, but may be lacking in a vegan diet.”
2. Choose the right product for you
Huel powder v3.0 consists of a macronutrient split of 37:30:30:3. This means that 37% of energy will come from carbohydrates, 30% from fats, 30% from proteins and 3% from fiber.
“The body derives energy mainly from carbohydrates, fats and proteins, which normally leaves about 50% from carbohydrates, about 35% from fat and about 15% from protein,” explains Helen. “However, it is not uncommon for individuals to consume a higher percentage of energy from protein and a lower amount from carbohydrates, so the different split in Huel is not concerning.”
3. Add some flavor
Huel powders come in ‘Unflavored and Unsweetened’ as well as a variety of flavors including vanilla, banana, salted caramel, coffee, original (natural, oat flavour), strawberries and cream, coffee caramel, chocolate, mint-chocolate, fruit and berry flavors available. Coffee. Obviously this comes down to individual preference, but Helen advises avoiding the ‘unflavored’ option as sometimes vitamins, minerals, amino acids etc. can leave an unpleasant aftertaste. If you opt for a flavored blend instead, this will mask this.
Alternatively, many Huel users choose to add natural flavors to their shakes, such as bananas, frozen fruit, or different types of milk. “Adding fruit can enhance the flavor of the drink,” says Helen. “If a person normally finds the beverage unpleasant and does not normally drink the entire serving, this may increase the overall amount of beverage consumed, thus increasing the nutritional benefit.”
4. Be aware of potential side effects
Online Huel forums mix threads of people complaining about stomach aches, bloating, and heartburn with positive reviews about clearer skin and even, surprisingly, fewer hangovers.
To meet Huel’s recommended daily calorie intake alone, you’ll need 2.3 liters of the nutrient-enhanced liquid. The dietitian notes that drinking this amount of the product would mean “high levels of dietary fiber (38.3 g).” Helen notes that if a person is not used to consuming this much fiber in their daily diet, “stomach aches and bloating can be an issue.”
To help prevent this, he recommends “using the product only occasionally” or alternatively increasing this daily amount “gradually over several days.” In terms of its apparent benefits as a hangover cure, there’s probably only one reason why Huel-ers find this to be the case. “It’s a way to regain water, [which would] “It’s definitely good for hangovers,” he theorizes.
shop cosmopolitan Your editor Huel picks this:
Are you ready to become a Huel-igan?
Huel Black Edition – Brown Caramel (1.53kg)
Huel Black is a higher protein, lower carb version of Huel’s typical powder. It is also gluten-free.
Huel Berry drink (6 x 500ml bottles)
Now 21% Discount
Huel Nutritionally Complete Food Powder (Chocolate)
This OG vegan meal replacement powder from Huel promises all the nutrients you need.
Huel Complete Nutrition Bars
Choose from 2 flavors: chocolate caramel and pistachio caramel.
Huel Black Edition – Vanilla (1.53kg)
Huel Black is a higher protein, lower carb version of Huel’s typical powder. It is also gluten-free.
Mix and match Huel Drinks (6 x 500ml bottles)
Choose from 8 flavors: banana, fruit, chocolate, cinnamon swirl, iced coffee caramel, salted caramel, strawberries and cream, vanilla
Helen Gardiner BSc (Hons) is a dietitian and registered dietitian specializing in healthy eating, lifestyle, behavior and wellness. She has 26 years of professional experience.
This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.