Huel - interested in experiences or alternatives

[Chocolattcoffeecup]

I'm interested in Huel as a meal replacement for breakfast. My main goal is weight loss but I'm also interested in improving my protein intake so may switch between the ready made shakes.

I'm interested in feedback on the taste, which ones you recommend and how they worked for you.

I got a good deal in Holland and Barrett and am using Huel black label as one of my meals, I really enjoy the chocolate and vanilla - not so much the latte which really surprised me - and the strawberry banana so-so.
It can taste a bit chalky, I haven’t tried the mix yourself version, just ready made but it definitely fills me up and fuels me before the gym without feeling hungry for a couple of hours!

Dh often has one for lunch. He’s diabetic and it works for him if he needs something. He lines the strawberry ones and doesn’t mind banana or cinnamon.

if you gave a Costco nearby, they’re cheaper in there.

Dh has also just tried the Huel bars and like those.

It's rubbish, don't waste your money.

I have used the ready to drink ones when I was too unwell to eat (I have cancer), but need something in my stomach and that’s all I can muster.

I have on occasion had one that was hanging around in the fridge for breakfast on a normal day and I definitely would be eating 2nd breakfast by 10am. They are not filling! But I think at like 400 cal each, they are not really for weight loss unless you can be really tight with not overeating later because you’re starving. You’d be much better off having protein rich breakfast. 2 boiled eggs and a banana is also about 400 cal and would actually fill you up.

@TheGirlWhoLived I don't like coffee but I think I'd like the vanilla or chocolate or banana. I have a gym class one evening straight after work and I never have time to eat properly so it could be good for that.

@Steelworks I haven't looked at the bars yet. I didn't realise Costco did the. Im going soo do will look out for them. I've ordered a taster pack on Amazon so I can try a few flavours before committing to buying a big pack!

@Aliceisagooddog What didn't you like about it?

@mindutopia I'm sorry you have cancer and my reasons feel a bit superficial in comparison. I often have boiled eggs when I'm at home but on days I'm working in the office I tend to go in very early and pick up breakfast on the go which is often a not healthy pastry! I thought Huel would be more nutritious and give me a bit more protein. There is a diet version which is about 200 calories so I'm not sure which version to go for.

I like the Black Vanilla ones. It’s an easy way to get 35g of protein at breakfast time. I love the chocolate and raspberry bars.

I started using it as I'm vegan and was concerned I wasn't getting enough protein. I wasn't using for weight loss but did end up losing weight in the first three months I was on it (and I was only 8st to start with). It's been over six months now and I'm no longer having to make an effort to eat more to maintain my weight. I like the protein and nutrition aspect of it, as well as not having to think about what I'm going to have for my first meal of the day. I like the black edition powder version best (I use a stick blender). I like the vanilla and the coffee/caramel best. Banana is unpleasant.

I need to look at the bars @CowCat

I've ordered these to try from Amazon so I can try the different types and flavours. It was £23-something for six but you can choose which ones and then if I want to buy a box at least I've tried it

• the normal ones in vanilla, banana and chocolate
• the light 190 cal one in banana
• the black high protein ones in chocolate and vanilla

I couldn’t get away with them - I can’t stand the artificial sweetener, but I have some colleagues that practically live on them. I’m always rushing in the morning and have an early start so I take a pot with Greek youghurt and a pot of protein granola and have it when I get to work. Have smoothies at home with frozen fruit, banana, flax and chia seeds, kefir and a scoop of whey powder but most of the flavoured protein things are too artificial. I’ve also got a usb charged blender which I can take to work with me but it’s a bit of a performance and I hardly ever bother.

I'm worried I won't like the taste as I don't like sugar free food usually because of the artificial sweetener taste. I haven't had protein shakes for years either so it's not like I'm used to it. It's just a couple of days in the week that I'm in the office. At home I eat proper food but I do keep meaning to bet back to smoothies.

Vile stuff. Maybe look for samples to see if you like it.

I found them better with a bit of instant coffee dissolved in the tiniest bit of water - but it does rather remove the no hassle advantages of eating on the go. 100g of Greek yoghurt and 45g of protein granola is 18g protein - it’s not bad and it’s actually nice.

Most people in the UK aren't protein deficient so you dont necessarily need increased protein. Its also a highly processed food with all the inherent issues. Look up neutral reviews rather than their fluff.

The drinks are vile. You can achieve better results with real whole foods

I found the artificial sweetener in it really sickly and well, artificial. Also didn’t fill me up.

Now I’ll be honest, I’ve never tried it, but I immediately thought of Dave Gorman’s take on it being ‘Human Gruel’ 😆
Honestly it’s much better for you to make your own (and will work out cheaper!).

I've had a go of the protein slim shakes this week. Id already drastically cut down on what I eat so have found it fine as a meal replacement but did take some getting down. Not sure if its the flavour though I opted for lemon curd. Going to try and find a vanilla skinny syrup to add in the hopes it helps.

It's more as a meal replacement than purely the protein.

@INeedAnotherAlibi This is for days when I'm leaving early for work and will not be making anything so it's this or a croissant and coffee.

@MrsMAFs Id be interested to know if you find a vanilla one and it's better!

I make smoothies the night before and put them in a shaker bottle, they keep overnight. Just think the clip is funny and it’s all I think of if people mention it now!

I'm keeping the lemon curd as its a huge tub. 30 something meals. Just hoping a syrup.added will take the edge off. My friend has the chocolate orange and says its lovely. Think I chose the wrong flavour haha!

Sorry @MrsMAFs I misread your first post! Yes adding something in might help if you're not keen. I've ordered the tasting pack as I also wasn't sure what flavour to get but I think I'm more for the traditional like vanilla or banana than something like cookies and cream.

I use Huel as a quick meal replacement. I stick to basic flavours; chocolate, vanilla and berry. I find these the most palatable, and buy the Black edition ones which have a higher protein content. I have one niggle with the bottles. The cap unscrews but stays attached to the bottle. The inside of the cap is coated in Huel that drips, generally all over my nice clean work shirt. Just to add, the shakes do taste nicer if chilled but not a deal breaker.

That sounds annoying. I did wonder whether they need to be chilled. It's handy if they don't but I imagine they would taste better chilled.

Make sure you're at home for the day then first time you try them!
You may need the loo very, very quickly.
You may also need to be alone and keep the windows open a couple of hours later.
😉

Oh gosh @DameCelia I hope not 😂