Fact Checked
Medically Reviewed by What is Huel?
Huel is a nutrition brand which offers a range of snacks, shakes, meals, bars, and powder drinks which fulfill complete nutritional requirements. They are full of nutrients, with all required amino acids included in each product. Packed with protein, they may help with appetite suppression and weight loss. Huel is vegan and cruelty-free, free of lactose and low in sugar. Here are some of the top products:
Huel Black Edition – This is a high protein, high nutrient meal in the form of a powder with 9 possible flavor options.
Huel Hot and Savory – This is a plant-based instant meal in 7 possible hot and spicy flavor options like Thai Green Curry and Mexican Chili.
Huel Flavor Boost – This is a twist of additional flavor that you add to the Huel powder for an extra boost. There are 10 possible flavor options.
Huel Protein – This is a plant-based snack high in vitamins, minerals, and essential amino acids which is available in 7 flavors.
| Features | 100% Vegan, Plant-Based Food |
|---|---|
| Form | Drinks, Bars, Powder, Shakes, Snacks |
| Health Benefits | Resolve Nutrient Deficiencies, Strengthen the Immune System, Weight Loss, Building Muscles |
| Ingredients | Vitamins and Minerals, Green Tea Extract, Fiber, Plant-Based Protein, MCTs, Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids, Phytonutrients |
| Type | Nutritionally Complete Food |
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How Does Huel Work?
Huel products are high in protein, and amino acids which make protein. They can fill up the stomach and suppress the appetite, possibly leading to weight loss. Protein may also help build muscle mass and strength. An article in the British Journal of Nutrition discussed the role of high-protein diets and weight management.[1]
There is some caffeine in these products in the form of green tea, which could speed up the metabolism and cause the body to enter the fat-burning state of thermogenesis. This may also help promote weight loss.
These formulas contain all of the required vitamins and minerals as well as phytonutrients which could help resolve deficiencies in the body. A review in the Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine discussed phytonutrients as therapeutic agents.[2]
Huel is also rich in antioxidants, which eliminate free radicals and decease oxidative stress. This promotes healing and strengthens the immune system. The products are high in anti-inflammatory agents which can reduce swelling in the body.
What Are the Ingredients in Huel?
These are some of the primary active ingredients in Huel:
Omega 3 Fatty Acids – These are fatty acids derived mostly from foods like fish and flaxseed or soybean. They are essential to the health and development of the body as a whole, and to cellular development.
Omega 3s are high in anti-inflammatory agents which reduce swelling in the body. An article in The Journal of Nutrition explored the nutritional landscape and health benefits of omega 3 fatty acids.[3]
Green Tea – Rich in antioxidants called polyphenols, green tea can promote healing and support a strong immune system.
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*All individuals are unique. Your results can and will vary.
They have caffeine, which can help speed up the metabolism for fat-burning and weight loss, as we documented in our review of the Menoslim Tea Ingredients section. A literature review in Chinese Medicine explored the beneficial effects of green tea.[4]
Phytonutrients – These are literally nutrients derived from plants, such as flavonoids, lutein, and plant sterols. They are high in antioxidants which can heal the body and strengthen the immune system.
An article in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics discussed the properties and benefits of phytonutrients.[5]
MCT – These are medium chain triglycerides, which are fats that are easy to digest. They suppress the appetite and may promote weight loss. In addition, they provide additional energy.
A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that MCT oil was effective at promoting weight loss and people could add it to a weight-loss regimen.[6]
Pros & Cons of Huel
Pros
- The products may contain all of the needed amino acids.
- They have minimal impact on animals and the environment.
- Huel is cruelty-free and the products are completely vegan.
- The brand is low in sugar and lactose-free.
- They offer a variety of unique flavors.
Cons
- The products are somewhat expensive.
- The selection of products isn’t very large.
- Whether the users like them is a matter of taste.
How Does Huel Rate?
| Feature | Rating | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients | 9 | Healthy ingredients, low in protein and carbs, no sugar, complete nutrition |
| Return Policy | 6 | 30-day return for items in new condition |
| Prices | 5 | The cost of the items is somewhat high. |
Final Verdict
Huel is a brand of nutrition products and meal replacement items which are 100% vegan. Huel is full of nutrients, promising all 27 amino acids in each portion. They are also low in sugar and free of lactose and could help with weight loss. The prices of the Huel products are somewhat high.
The Huel review posts varied depending on the product and user. There were customers who said they got a lot of benefit out of these products, and some said they were able to lose some weight. There were also customers who found the taste and texture of the products unappealing and were not able to keep taking them.
Huel contains only natural, plant-based ingredients and ideally should not lead to any side effects. However, differently people react differently to a change in their diet. If you do experience symptoms, stop using the brand immediately. Consider checking with a dietician before making a change in your nutrition.
You can also give Gundry MD Proplant Complete Shake a try, a protein-based supplement designed to enhance various aspects of health and wellness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Huel Healthy?
A: Huel food is very healthy. It contains all of the required amino acids in a meal, is high in protein, free of lactose, and low in sugar and carbs. The meals are also high in antioxidants which strengthen the immune system and promote healing.
Q: What is the Huel Return Policy?
A: The manufacturer has a 30-day return policy. If you’re not happy with an item, you can send it back within 30 days of the purchase date. Note that this only applies to unused items.
Q: Is Huel Vegan?
A: Yes, the brand is 100% vegan. They do not included any meat or meat-based products in their foods, and they are also cruelty-free. These foods are completely plant-based.
Q: Is Huel Worth It?
A: Whether this product is worth it or not depends very much on the individual and whether you enjoy the flavors and the system of consuming Huel meal replacement. Some of the Huel review posts were happy with these foods, while others disliked the flavors or had side effects.
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*All individuals are unique. Your results can and will vary.
Q: What Sets Huel Apart From the Competition?
A: Their mission is to make nutritionally complete food with minimal harm to animals or the environment. The Huel ingredients are completely plant-based. This company is all about sustainability and supporting environmental causes. A registered nutritionist started this organization.
Q: Does Huel Work?
A: In terms of providing proper nutrition, this product would certainly work, as it’s full of nutrients. However, that doesn’t say whether users would like the product or enjoy using it regularly. In the Huel Hot and Savory review posts, for example, some users said they didn’t like the flavors very much.
11 sources
Health Insiders relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
[1] Te Morenga, L., & Mann, J. (2012). The role of high-protein diets in body weight management and health. British Journal of Nutrition, 108(S2), S130-S138. doi:10.1017/S0007114512002437
[2]Gupta C, Prakash D. Phytonutrients as therapeutic agents. J Complement Integr Med. 2014 Sep;11(3):151-69. doi: 10.1515/jcim-2013-0021. PMID: 25051278.
[3] Richard J. Deckelbaum, Claudia Torrejon, The Omega-3 Fatty Acid Nutritional Landscape: Health Benefits and Sources, The Journal of Nutrition, Volume 142, Issue 3, March 2012, Pages 587S–591S,
[4] Chacko SM, Thambi PT, Kuttan R, Nishigaki I. Beneficial effects of green tea: a literature review. Chin Med. 2010;5:13. Published 2010 Apr 6. doi:10.1186/1749-8546-5-13
[5] Phytochemicals Phytochemicals - Journal of the American Dietetic Association (jandonline.org)
[6] St-Onge MP, Bosarge A. Weight-loss diet that includes consumption of medium-chain triacylglycerol oil leads to a greater rate of weight and fat mass loss than does olive oil. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008;87(3):621-626. doi:10.1093/ajcn/87.3.621
[7] Phytonutrient: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/phytonutrient
[8] Minich DM. A Review of the Science of Colorful, Plant-Based Food and Practical Strategies for "Eating the Rainbow" [published correction appears in J Nutr Metab. 2020 Nov 28;2020:5631762]. J Nutr Metab. 2019;2019:2125070. Published 2019 Jun 2. doi:10.1155/2019/2125070
[9] A P Simopoulos, Omega-3 fatty acids in health and disease and in growth and development, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Volume 54, Issue 3, September 1991, Pages 438–463,
[10] Lattimer JM, Haub MD. Effects of dietary fiber and its components on metabolic health. Nutrients. 2010;2(12):1266-1289. doi:10.3390/nu2121266
[11] Volpe, Stella Lucia Ph.D., RDN, FACSM, ACSM-CEP. Medium-Chain Triglycerides and Health. ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal: 1/2 2020 - Volume 24 - Issue 1 - p 35-36 doi: 10.1249/FIT.0000000000000537
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Huel works as a great meal replacement.
Huel Reviews. I have found Huel Black Edition to be very convenient and filling. Just add water and shake it to make a complete meal. I usually have a Huel Black Edition weight loss supplement for breakfast and I am not hungry all morning. As a gluten-free vegetarian, Huel works as a great meal replacement and I really appreciate this nutritious and quick meal option.