huel review - 13 things you need to know
huel is a powdered meal replacement product that markets itself as “a nutritionally complete food.” huel claims they sold enough meals “to feed paris and rome.” the website is impressive and full of press releases and expert testimony. one expert cited on their website says, “as a dietitian, real food is ideal.” exactly- and great advice. but, since when is a powdered meal replacement “real food?”
our research team had to know why this 2022足球世界杯德国队分组 is so popular. despite huel’s convenience and nutrition and claims of being “real food,” our crew found some complaints about its texture and taste. on top of that, the 2022足球世界杯德国队分组 doesn’t fully refund an opened package. this drove the team to give you all the info you need to not waste your money on a product that will leave you dissatisfied.
huel can be purchased through their official site.
what is huel?
huel is a brand offering nutritionally complete food products, designed to provide a balanced blend of 27 essential vitamins and minerals, protein, essential fatty acids, carbohydrates, fiber, and phytonutrients. their range includes meal replacement powders, ready-to-drink shakes, and snack items. the 2022足球世界杯德国队分组 is located at 134 n 4th st. brooklyn, ny 11249. they are currently not accredited by the bbb and have an “f” rating. huel is rated a 3.67 out of 5 stars with an average of 3 customer reviews.
it is a nutritionally complete food that you can use as a meal replacement on-the-go. the name comes from the amalgamation of the words human and fuel.
however, calories from meal replacement products could be too much or too little, and it is often unclear from the ingredients themselves. this is not a meal replacement for everyone, as some users commented they were hungry again after only a few hours of consuming huel. does this effect have something to do with the ingredients? it doesn’t look like it.
- nutrition reviews – oats “promote satiety [by] helping individuals adhere to diet regimens by controlling hunger and the desire to eat.”
- applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism – “pea components improve glycemic control.”
- plant foods for human nutrition – flaxseed is a rich source of “healthy” fat, fiber, and antioxidants.
the formula is also available as huel rtd (ready-to-drink). recently, the 2022足球世界杯德国队分组 also released huel bars, which offers huel nutrition in a snack bar.
update january 2021: huel launched a new product – huel hot + savory – in september 2020, intended to be served hot for lunch. though it started with two flavors, the available flavors currently include:
- yellow coconut curry
- spicy indian curry
- tomato and herb
- sweet and sour
- mexican chili
- thai green curry
- mac & cheeze
about huel
huel began in 2012 when its founder set out to create a program that would help people get optimal nutrition to assist in their physical performance. the founder, julian hearn, put himself on a rigorous regimen with a lot of careful planning and preparation to ensure each meal provided the necessary nutrition to its users.
while he got the results he wanted from the program, he found it wasn’t practical regarding the time it took to manage it all. huel was then born nutritionally complete and a balanced meal users could prepare in two minutes or less.
since he founded the 2022足球世界杯德国队分组 , they have sold more than 100 million meals across 100 countries. currently, james mcmaster runs the 2022足球世界杯德国队分组 while hearn focuses on marketing for huel.
huel competitors
product | review | |
---|---|---|
18 shake | read | |
310 shake | read | |
plexus slim | read | |
shakeology | read | |
noom | read |
meal replacement supplements
replacing meals with something more convenient has existed for a while, even in sci-fi stories from almost a century ago.
the current trend began in the us with soylent that the 2022足球世界杯德国队分组 produces using algae. in a few years, soylent became the most popular meal choice for people in silicon valley and elsewhere globally.
as soylent was only available to the us, british co-founder of huel, julian hearn, invented the product to expand the idea of meal replacement powders outside america.
huel now has a pre-made shake for sale with their huel powder for those who are on-the-go.
scroll below for one of the best products we’ve seen over the last year.
huel benefits
huel benefits include:
- 100% complete nutrition
- convenient
- cost-effective
- no food waste
- vegan
- simple to use
huel also has a gluten-free option in chocolate, vanilla, berry, unflavored & unsweetened, banana, salted caramel, caffè latte, and original.
huel ingredients
there is no indication that huel’s ingredients are organic.
oats
oat bran and whole oats are used to help with some digestive issues. oats are a fantastic source of fiber, but beyond that, there are health benefits thought to be associated with phytochemicals found inside, according to molecular nutrition & food research. and when it comes to antioxidant properties, ” the most antioxidant sequence fragments with a diverse amino acid composition were found in oat globulins” when compared to other plant-based proteins in a review shared in the journal molecules.
pea protein
pea protein is made from yellow and green peas, and it is a suitable protein option for vegetarians, vegans, and those who wish to avoid products like whey, eggs, and meat. the journal of the international society of sports nutrition claimed, in 2015, pea protein and whey protein were nearly equal in supporting muscle growth with regular exercise. however, years later, similar research, this time published in the journal sports, reported whey protein was, in fact, more effective.
brown rice protein
brown rice protein is from brown rice. like pea protein, it’s an option for vegans and vegetarians who don’t consume dairy, meat, or egg protein. according to the nutrition journal, “rice protein isolate could increase and elicit changes in body composition.”
coconut mcts
medium-chain triglycerides (mcts) are made by processing coconut oil and claimed to help prevent muscle breakdown in some users. according to the journal of the academy of nutrition and dietetics, “mcts in the diet could potentially induce modest reductions in body weight and composition.”
huel and weight loss
there’s plenty of research into the effects of meal replacement shakes on weight loss. most have come to the same conclusion – replacing one or two meals daily with a calorie-controlled shake will likely result in weight loss, as reported in a 2019 review of research in obesity reviews.
how much does huel cost?
huel costs:
- huel powder v3.0: $75
- huel gluten-free v3.0: $85
- huel black edition: $85
huel ready-to-drink costs:
- version 1.0: $53/12 bottles
- variety box v1.0: $57.78/12 bottles
- version 2.0: $53/12 bottles
- variety box v2.0: $60.56/12 bottles
huel hot+savory costs:
- 7 meals: $26.30/bag (3 bag minimum)
huel offers free delivery in the us with orders over $25. if your order is less than $25, there’s a $5 shipping charge.
they ship orders via ups and arrive within three to five business days unless going to hawaii or alaska, which in this case, arrive within five to seven days.
delivery to canada is not currently available. it is possible to order outside of the united states from many other countries.
on amazon, you can buy two pouches, a scoop, a shaker, and a booklet for $75.
freebies
you’ll get a free t-shirt and a shaker bottle with your first order. if you subscribe for automatic delivery, you can get a 10% discount, bringing the cost down to $59.40 or $2.12 per meal. you can schedule delivery frequency according to your needs – anytime between every one to every ten weeks.
huel money-back guarantee
you can receive a refund on huel products not opened within 30 days. you cannot exchange or get a refund for open pouches.
if your order arrives with any damage, you can exchange it for the same item by sending an email to support@huel.com. you are responsible for shipping costs to return your item.
they only refund shipping costs if the product is defective. they then deduct the cost of the return shipping from any applicable refund.
it is best to use insurance and tracking if you’re shipping an item over $75. they will process refunds back through the original form of payment within 30 days after they approve them.
should you drink huel hot or cold?
according to the official website, the drink is the best cold, even with some ice cubes. however, it is also possible to drink it warm, but it is best not to use boiling water, which could affect the drink’s nutritional profile. to keep it warm, it is better to boil the water and cool or mix it with cold water before adding in huel.
huel hot+savory should be eaten hot.
what’s the huel shelf life?
the huel shelf life is:
unopened
you can store pouches for up to one year in a dry, cool environment away from direct sunlight, but you should use it before the expiration date on the pouch for the best quality.
opened
once you’ve opened the pouch, it can last for six months. you can reseal it, and as long as you store it in a dry, cool environment, away from direct sunlight, it should be safe to use.
refrigerated and mixed
the mixture can last for 24 hours. since some users have stated the product tastes better cold, you may want to mix it the night before and store it in the fridge and have it for breakfast in the morning.
unrefrigerated and mixed
this varies depending on the temperature of the environment it’s in. when cold, the mixture will stay fresh for a few hours. if it’s hot, it won’t last long, so drink fast or store it in a vacuum flask to ensure it will stay cold for a longer period.
huel taste
huel prioritizes nutrition over flavor. the vanilla flavor is popular for its fresh and wholesome oaty taste with the hint of vanilla. huel is also available in an unflavored and unsweetened formula that has a more neutral, earthy flavor.
however, there are complaints about the taste too powdery and unpleasant, mainly due to the powdered oats it contains.
the hot+savory products are “risotto” like, as they are made with rice and quinoa.
can i add more flavor to huel?
regardless of which base you choose, you can add flavor easily. users have recommended either instant or freshly brewed coffee, syrups, fresh or frozen fruit, cocoa powder, and cinnamon.
syrups like the ones they use at coffee shops are best if you want various flavor options. you can find everything from caramel to mint, and sugar-free varieties are available as well.
many users say that savory flavors are also an option. recommendations include cayenne powder for some heat, curry powder for a more complex flavor profile, and even bouillon cubes. mixing cayenne pepper into the cocoa powder gives you a sweet and spicy mix.
huel also sells its flavor boosts in various flavors, including apple cinnamon, banana, chocolate, gingerbread, mint chocolate, mocha, peanut butter, pumpkin spice, salted caramel and strawberry. these flavor boosts are available for $8 each and come with enough to flavor your drinks 75 times. this gives you more control over the flavors and their strength, preventing you from buying full pouches.
gingerbread and chocolate cherry are two limited-edition flavor boosts.
add your flavor choices before mixing the shake for the best results.
huel side effects
huel contains a few ingredients that may cause side effects like:
- gas
- digestive issues
- bloating
where to buy huel
you can buy huel both on the official website and amazon. it has also been sold on ebay.
some of huel’s ready-to-drink shakes are available in stores, though not many.
huel reddit reviews
reddit is an extremely popular social network site with over 52 million active users. the platform continues to grow in popularity with over 2.8 million subreddits and counting. we searched huel reviews on reddit to learn what people are talking about.
huel reddit reviews cover both sides of the debate. some users loved it. others weren’t as convinced. it’s clearly a love/hate when it comes to this product. there are quite a few users who express concerns about pricing. they feel like it’s a huge commitment and would love if there were samples to try. other concerns included taste and price – common among protein products like this.
what users are saying
“i have been using huel for about a year. i work construction and had a poor diet of drive-thru type food before. i switched to using these and usually make them the night before and throw it in a small cooler. they are healthy and make it easy to count calories, i have lost a lot of weight and am now a healthy weight. i can’t recommend it enough.”
“it’s still pretty pricey unless u buy in large amounts. the big downside to this is the price for me. if it was cheaper i would rate it higher. then again there really is no cheap meal replacment.”
“i have been racking my brain trying to figure out what was causing me heart palpitations. i eliminated supplements one at a time, even medications. i finally thought of searching for a connection of heart issues to huel. bingo. i found a reddit thread where a bunch of people were experiencing the same thing as me. i’m not saying it will happen to everyone, but just thought i’d warn you. if it didn’t cause heart palpitations, i’d probably give this 4 stars, but alas, heart palpitations can turn into something quite serious. be careful.
this needs to be more talked about. not healthy. i have noticed days i don’t take huel, i do much better.”
the bottom line on huel
here’s the moment of truth: we love they market huel as a quick and easy-to-consume meal replacement. it has a crazy amount of healthy ingredients and all the necessary nutrients, carbs, fats, proteins, and minerals we need to survive and being low in cost. however, there are reports of some side effects, complaints about the flavor and texture, and doesn’t fully refund an open package.
we believe it’s natural lifestyle changes and support for those changes that make the difference between losing weight and losing weight for good. when it comes to losing weight, it’s hard to stick with a plan unless you have support 24 hours a day.
among the best weight-loss support apps we’ve found is noom. we love that noom has clinical testing that proves it works to help people lose weight and maintain weight once lost. the app supports healthy eating and exercise while providing human coaching to get you and keep you on the right track.
plus, since you’re a dietspotlight reader, you can take advantage of a free trial offer of noom for a limited time.
learn more about noom »
vj smith (verified purchase)
your body treats carbs as basically sugar. protein stays protein and waste material is expelled. huel is almost 50% carbs, you can figure out the rest.
brian mcwilliams (verified purchase)
i use huel in the morning to save time and love it. though it took some getting used to the texture and taste. also, using those hand held blenders work great. i had one issue but there customer service took care of it within days.
karen mashek (verified purchase)
just tried the thai green curry for my lunch. i did not set up a subscription as i’m just giving it a try. i’m not trying to lose weight, i just wanted a quick and easy lunch option on break from work. the risotto-like consistency didn’t bother me, but the rice still being crunchy did! it’s insipid. i expected more flavor from a curry. not impressed. hopefully the other 2 bags are better…ugh. i doubt i’ll be ordering more.
oz (verified purchase)
i’ve been using huel for the past two days, i am using the vanilla formula and adding berries banana’s and other fruit to it. i blend my meal in a power blender to really mix it all up. the taste has been acceptable so far. i am trying intermittent fasting from 6:00pm to !0:00am. as a meal replacement it is filling and has kept me to dinner. it does get gritty at the end of the batch. i have had some gastro problems last night but they kind of warn you to only have 1 shake for the first 3-5 days. i was looking for a meal replacement that would help me lose a few pounds. i am betting this will do the trick. fingers crossed.
anonymous (verified purchase)
i love the taste and it honestly kills my hunger. i have been taking a huel to work everyday for months now and it has completely stopped me from snacking at work, no lie. as soon as my stomach grumbles even a little i take literally one drink of huel and i feel a million times better. i only mix one scoop with 16oz skim milk which is about 365 calories and it tastes great and it works for me. its easy, way cheaper, and a much healthier choice than vending machines or the overpriced junk in our cafeteria.
boris simovic (verified purchase)
i love it, but using 3 scoops instead of two (i like to mix the vanilla and chocolate flavors) in the 25oz cup and blending it instead of shaking really improves both the flavor and texture. keep in mind that with three scoops you are consuming 600 calories per shake so you only need to drink it two or three times a day. it’s so weird to feel hungry, drink something, and then not be hungry anymore. the time saved on food preparation, cleanup and shopping makes it really worth it. i only get hungry twice a day. sometimes three, but it’s rare. on most days, i only drink huel. on nights i watch a movie, i like to snack, so i make popcorn. i’m only giving this product 4 stars out of 5 because neither vanilla or chocolate (i use huel black) is especially great in flavor – the vanilla being too sweet or cake-like in taste, and the chocolate being bland and a bit artificial tasting; but if you blend the two, it is perfection. i like two scoops of vanilla huel black and one scoop of chocolate huel black. sometimes i’ll do half-and-half for a more chocolate kick with less sweetness. it would be nice if huel made these combinations available so i wouldn’t have to do the work on my own. blending is a must! you can buy blender cups on amazon. i found one that is 25oz, holding the same amount as huel’s cup, but it’s $60, so a bit on the pricy side. however, that should tell you how much i love this product.
ramon (verified purchase)
after i started taking huel i got heartburn more and more often. after almost two months i had very strong heartburn every day. i did some research on the internet to find out whether there is a connection with taking huel. obviously, this problem exists with a lot of people who take huel.
prolonged heartburn can cause esophageal cancer!
i contacted support to send my last delivery back.
“i have a very strong heartburn because of huel and therefore i would like to send the powder back to get a refund.
can you send me the shipping label, please?”
answer “… i’m sorry that happened! it could be that the batch you received wasn’t good.
i’d be more than happy to send you over a new bag of whichever flavor was causing you problems if you could confirm the address you would like it sent to as well as the batch number so i can make report on that batch. …”
anonymous (verified purchase)
those who complain they get hungry only hours after consuming huel… that’s the way food works. you get hungry after a few hours of not eating.
i love using huel throughout the workday. i feel light on my feet and awake when i consume it as a meal replacement.
hedgehog (verified purchase)
i am a surgeon and i like the huel bars for in between surgeries.
i become cranky if i don’t get food, however since i have huel bars i can manage this better.
i always have some huel bars with me when i work, travel, sport or have a long day with meetings. i try to eat 3 regular meals and if necessary a huel bar or a huel ready to drink.
note: huel has nothing to do with “trying to lose weight”. that is the good thing, you have food that is compact and contains food, energy and no fast sugars!
would like to know where i can buy this in utah?
roger jenkins (verified purchase)
i have been using huel for one meal per day and regular food for the other two meals.im getting use to it slowly ,at my age of 67,my digestion has slowed.it taste good to me mixed with honey and my energy level is picking up every day.i
got huel a week ago. like it a lot so far. i had read reviews that the unsweetened version tasted bad, but i think it tastes good. with a bit of milk, it tastes like batter for oatcakes. it makes for a good meal or partial meal, though i wouldn’t want to replace every meal with it. it provides better nutrition then the oatmeal & bagels i had been eating for breakfast & lunch, and my energy has increased since starting with it.
roger jenkins (verified purchase)
i have been taking huel for a few weeks and just getting over cancer recovery,the huel helps me get proper nutrition,living proof is i feel good and not loosing anymore weight
deejay m. (verified purchase)
while there is a minimum of two pouches an order, it’s important to note that 2 pouches is $66, not $66 for one
can i just take huel for every meal? or is there a limit on how much i should take in a day
hello sean,
as a meal replacement, huel can be consumed at any meal time or as food supplement to one’s diet.
linda (verified purchase)
i am a new subscriber to huel. it has been a lifesaver for me. i am using this to get through a bout with stomach ulcers caused by nsaid’s. so far i have no issues with huel and am forever grateful to have found it. this is much tastier and fulfilling than ensure.
the stars i gave are just because it helps with weight loss but, i guess the flaxseed is way to high for me… the amount of gas it produces its abnormal… not buying again and i tried on an off or less amount to see if it helped but its the same.
ethan (verified purchase)
for the past seven weeks i have used huel as a meal replacement for one meal per day, either breakfast or lunch. i like the taste. sometimes i add ground up fresh vegetables (arugula, carrots, etc.), banana, or berries. i have experienced no negative side effects. i have lost several pounds over the aforementioned seven week period, which is a good thing. when i see my doctor next (in a few weeks) i intend to ask for her opinion on my consumption of huel. anticipating skepticism from her, i will then have to weigh the pros and cons as to whether to continue using the product.
dmfd123 (verified purchase)
i eat huel for breakfast and lunch because it’s fast, easy and cheap. it’s a 5-minute meal. it does leave me hungry though..