What to Huel shakes taste like?

[Siriisatwat]

Are they nice?

I have to have a pretty limited diet for health reasons (no sugar/fake sugar, no gluten, limited carbs, limited dairy, anti inflammatory foods only - it’s as soulless as it sounds and a massive ballache).

I see that they do a gluten free one.

I am so fucking bored of just meat/fish/salad/vegetables/fruit. I’m a good cook. I knock up some pretty amazing curries. I’m just bored witless. I want to go to Greggs and grab a sausage roll and that can never happen again.

In previous times, before I was diagnosed with all sorts of crap, I used to have a couple of days a week when I drank meal replacement and really enjoyed it. I’d like to have that option for a break from food again if I feel like it.

Anyone use them? What do you think? Or can anyone point me in the direction of gluten free, sugar free shakes please? (People I know have suggested smoothies but i’m not supposed to drink fruit in that form and the thought of a vegetable smoothie makes me want to scream).

The vanilla and chocolate are fine, banana a bit odd. I have the ‘black’ higher protein ones. They are sweet though, like a milkshake. I use 1 scoop instead of the two advised but semi skimmed milk instead of water (ends up the same calories). And always a blender!!!

I've had it in the past and do still have a bag left, but I'm not a huge fan of the standard flavours so mine are a bit more of a faff to make.

The plain tastes like cardboard. The others taste (too me) really strongly of artificial sweeteners. DP likes them (particularly vanilla) but I have to have have half flavoured half plain for it to be tolerable, and even then it tastes very artificial. I'm quite sensitive to sweeteners though - if you're used to them they shouldn't be too bad, and we know a few people that enjoy the different flavours so I think I'm the odd one out.

You can also get flavour packs which mean you can get plain powder but mix and match flavours by adding eg mint choc one day and then Berry the next.

I tend to blend fruit and veg into the plain powder and make it with milk substitutes instead of water - it may not be possible if you aren't able to have sugars at all but a handful of berries with spinach and coconut milk or similar works a treat and is much more satisfying that just the shake by itself, so maybe there's some options you can try that might fit into your diet.

Purition are nice (you need a blender and mix them with a nut/soya milk of your choice) and they’re much lower in carbs than Huel. They’re gluten free and there are lots of flavours (including a vegan range).

Yes, just looked at purition.

Seen also that slim fast now do one.

I’m just checking all the ingredients for them all. i really, really want a break from food.I wish there was just a pill I could take instead of eating to be honest.

Hurl has a horrible gritty texture… however much you blend them… I’ve tried the premixed too and they are not much bettee

I personally found the banana one to have a wholesomely mild flavour, like a slightly unripe banana, and the chocolate tasted like cold pea soup.

@MephistophelesApprentice

I personally found the banana one to have a wholesomely mild flavour, like a slightly unripe banana, and the chocolate tasted like cold pea soup.

oh good god.

I basically just want a gluten free, sugar free, shit free Yazoo

They're fine. I find the berry flavour the best, but chocolate is a close second. Really I wouldn't go for them for the taste sensation. More just a very convenient way of getting some nutrition into you when for whatever reason don't want actual food instead. You can make them nicer by blending it with ice or using some other liquid than water, but for me that faff defeats the purpose. Powder (that has a decent shelf life) + water from the tap + a bit of a shake is fine, and the taste is not off putting.

Don't spend money on them until you've tried them. I literally gagged after tasting hurl- it was more the texture, though the taste was very unpleasant. I think you're better off with your food or nice home made soups.

I like huel, particularly the banana. I make them with coconut milk. The chocolate one is like cake mix if you make it thick with coconut milk, it's also lovely mixed with the vanilla. No hint of pea soup. It's obviously person preference, which you won't know unless you try. I do prefer the black edition it fills me up for longer. The ready made ones are grest for out and about, vanilla or banana is best.

To add - I really don't mind artificial sweetness and don't have any texture issues, so I might be easy to please! We started getting Huel when both of us were having a bad time with mental health, and actual food was just not happening. I don't have it much these days (got my taste for food back), but DH likes the convenience.

Liquid cardboard.