Leading a healthy lifestyle means that you have got to make many commitments. Starting from adjusting your meals to workout routines does take time and dedication.
In such an era where people are busy with their lives, convenience is what matters. Meal replacement options are popular among individuals who are in search of getting the proper nutrition into their bodies.
Huel is such a meal replacement option that it is convenient for everyone. However, many people have the question; is Huel good for losing weight?
Discover the pros and cons of Huel and whether it is good for losing weight.
Table of Contents
What Is Huel?
Huel is a company that produces meal replacement options that provide daily nutritional requirements. People mainly use Huel due to its convenience.
Huel consists of essential nutrients that the human body requires, such as protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, healthy fat, etc.
Huel is suitable for vegans and even for those who are lactose intolerant. Huel comes in the following forms.
- Meal replacement powder
- Premade meal
- Snack bars
- Ready-to-drink smoothies
You can order individual Huel products through its website online. You can save up by signing up for a recurring subscription of Huel products of your choice.
Is Huel Good For Losing Weight?
Huel products have significant benefits when it comes to losing weight. Each Huel product has unique nutritional facts which you can check from its label before deciding to buy.
Huel products are generally high in proteins and fiber, which is why they could aid in your weight loss journey.
Huel products have approximately 20 to 30 grams of proteins in each serving. Studies show that proteins keep you feeling full for longer, which gives you control over your appetite. Therefore, it helps you lose weight by controlling your food intake and keeping you from overeating.
Huel products are also rich in dietary fiber, which enhances the feeling of fullness, according to studies conducted. Dietary fiber is a natural plant compound that passes slowly through your digestive tract. Dietary fiber in Huel products helps to lose weight due to these factors.
Nutrition Facts Of Huel Products
Huel products provide most of the essential nutrients your body requires daily. The amounts of each nutritional component may differ based on the product.
Here is an example of the nutritional breakdown of Huel’s ready-to-drink chocolate shake.
- Calories: 400
- Carbohydrate: 41g
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 19g
- Fiber: 8g
- Vitamin B12: 33% of the DV (daily value)
- Vitamin C: 67% of the DV
- Vitamin D: 25% of the DV
- Vitamin K: 28% of the DV
- Iron: 28% of the DV
Besides the above nutrients, Huel shakes also contain other vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, B, E, calcium, zinc, and phosphorus.
Huel powders also contain nutrition components similar to shakes, including 400 calories and between 29 to 32 grams of protein per serving.
Huel’s prepared meals contain 400 calories and 23 – 25g of protein per serving. Each snack bar contains 200 calories and 12g of protein and is ideal to be enjoyed between meals.
Huel Black Edition
Huel Black Edition is one of the company’s best products for weight loss. It contains 50% fewer carbs and 33% more proteins compared to other Huel products. This gluten-free product contains essential fats, fiber, phytonutrients, vitamins, and minerals.
The company claims that Huel Black Edition is a nutritionally complete meal that is one of the most suitable, out of all its products, for weight loss.
Huel For Keto
The use of Huel for keto is something that you should carefully consider. A keto diet is typically one with low carbs. Huel products generally contain around 35g to 45g of carbs per 100g serving.
You should limit your carb intake to less than 50g a day in a keto diet. The Huel Black Edition contains only 18g of carbs per 90g serving, which makes it the most suitable Huel product if you’re on a keto diet.
You can use Huel Black Edition as part of a keto diet. However, a keto diet is higher in fat and lower in protein than the Huel Black Edition.
Therefore, you cannot depend solely on Huel to complete your keto diet. A diet balanced with the required amounts of fat and protein is essential to remain in ketosis.
Benefits Of Huel
Huel provides a complete and nutritionally balanced meal that can be prepared in a few minutes. It saves time cooking and is a suitable product to meet your nutritional requirements, especially when you’re in a rush.
Huel also provides portion-controlled options, making it easy to know how much of each nutrient you get from a single serving.
Huel has more proteins and fiber and is less in carbs, contributing to feeling full for longer. It prevents unwanted snacking and cravings throughout the day.
Eating a well-balanced diet with Huel helps lower blood cholesterol levels and protects against heart disease, stroke, etc.
Why Use Huel
Huel products are high in quality and focus on sustainability while minimizing food waste. Their products are vegan.
Plant-based products require fewer natural resources, producing fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, Huel products have a smaller carbon footprint than animal-derived products.
Huel products use recyclable bottles and packaging, further moving towards sustainability and protecting the environment.
Drawbacks And Potential Side Effects Of Huel
Although Huel provides a lot of the benefits mentioned above, there are also several drawbacks of the product. Firstly, you may regain weight once you stop taking Huel and move on to a typical diet.
Maintaining a healthy weight while consuming the required nutrients can prove to be challenging at such times.
Side effects of Huel include the following.
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Stomach cramps
- Bloating
- Acid reflux/ heartburn
- Skin rashes
- Excessive thirst
Prolonged use of Huel may lead to the following health issues.
- Metabolic disorders
- Diabetes
- Fatty liver
- Neurological conditions like depression, anxiety, and Alzheimer’s disease
Some people also complain about the taste of Huel shakes, smoothies, pre-made meals, and snacks. Huel is also more expensive than many other meal replacement options available in the market.
How to use Huel?
Huel is not recommended as a complete dietary replacement. You need to use Huel to complement a well-rounded diet for the best results.
You can use Huel at any time of the day. However, most people prefer to have it for breakfast or lunch.
Initially, you should start with having one Huel meal per day. You can increase your Huel intake gradually after a few days.
Huel is especially useful to replace a meal on a day when you’re running out of time or are behind schedule.
Ensure that you eat plenty of whole foods, including vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, and whole grains, the rest of the day.
Don’t rely entirely on Huel to meet your nutritional requirements. Instead, have healthy balanced meals throughout the day. You can take Huel a few times a week.
Once you stop using the product, it will increase the likelihood of maintaining a healthy weight over time.
Huel Alternatives: Why Try Them?
Several Huel alternatives are good for weight loss and provide many other benefits, including the following:
- They contain adequate amounts of probiotics and prebiotics.
- They taste delicious.
- They have great texture providing a smooth mix.
- They are made using high-quality plant-based ingredients.
- They keep your calorie intake in check.
- They help lose weight with prolonged use.
- They are suitable for everyone from bodybuilders to weightlifters and even ordinary people.
- They have longer shelf lives.
- They have a variety of flavors.
- They boost your energy levels.
- They are more affordable than Huel.
- They are organic.
- They don’t have as many side effects as Huel.
Conclusion
Huel is good for losing weight. However, you shouldn’t solely depend on this meal replacement option to provide all the nutrients your body requires.
A balanced diet and adequate exercise are vital to losing or maintaining a healthy weight.
Huel promotes a feeling of fullness and prevents you from frequent snacking and cravings. These are how Huel promotes weight loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Will It Takes To Lose Weight On Huel?
It could take up to three months to see a significant weight loss in Huel. (about 12 pounds). It can take up to six months to lose about 25 pounds.
Can I Replace All My Meals With Huel?
It is not recommended to replace all meals with Huel. You should replace one meal with Huel and consume a balanced diet with the required nutrients for the rest of the day.
Is Huel A Good Alternative For Breakfast?
Huel is packed with essential nutrients, including protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, which are excellent for an energy-boosting breakfast. It helps keep you feeling full for a long time and gives you the energy required to carry out your daily tasks.
