Background and Purpose
The author (O) has recently become deeply interested in strength training, particularly focusing on the “Big 3” lifts (bench press, squat, and deadlift). To improve performance in these lifts, I feel the need to increase body weight while developing balanced muscle mass across the entire body. However, as a full-time employee, dedicating time and effort to meal preparation is not always feasible.
To address this, I decided to try Huel, a complete nutrition meal, as a convenient and healthy snack option to facilitate weight gain. In addition to regular lunch and dinner, I consume two servings of Huel powder as a breakfast replacement and sips two more servings in the afternoon as a snack. This regimen has proven effective for steady weight gain.1
However, the author noticed a lack of detailed flavor reviews online, prompting this subjective review to assist those considering trying Huel. Having sampled all available flavors, here is the report.
What is Huel?
Huel is a complete nutrition meal made from sustainable, plant-based ingredients such as oats, peas, rice, flaxseed, coconut, and sunflower seeds. It is said to provide a balanced mix of 26 essential vitamins and minerals, protein, essential fats, carbohydrates, fiber, and phytonutrients.
(Reference: Huel Official Site)
Method
Using Huel’s official shaker (included with the first purchase), the author mixed approximately 500 mL of cold water with two scoops of Huel powder (about 95 g) and shook it for about 15 seconds. Each flavor was evaluated on a 5-point sensory rating scale (1 = worst, 5 = best).
The evaluation covered all seven flavors available as of August 2024: Chocolate, Vanilla, Coffee Caramel, Banana, Berry, Salted Caramel, and Unflavored. The sole participant in this review was the author.
Results
The taste ranking, in descending order of preference, is as follows:
- Vanilla: 5 points ★★★★★
- Coffee Caramel: 4 points ★★★★☆
- Salted Caramel: 4 points ★★★★☆
- Chocolate: 3 points ★★★☆☆
- Berry: 3 points ★★★☆☆
- Banana: 2 points ★★☆☆☆
- Unflavored: 1 point ★☆☆☆☆
Discussion (Impressions)
Vanilla, Coffee Caramel, and Salted Caramel stood out as the most delicious flavors. These three are closely ranked, and personal preferences may affect their order. Among them, Vanilla was my favorite.
Chocolate and Berry were also enjoyable, and I could see them ranking higher for some people depending on their tastes.
Banana was the weakest among the flavored options. While not terrible, the combination of the grain-based base and banana flavoring felt mismatched.
Unflavored, unfortunately, was unpleasant. It tasted like raw grain powder with no sweetness and a hint of saltiness. This experience made me appreciate the importance of flavoring and sweeteners. I couldn’t drink it as is and ended up mixing it with other flavored varieties. It might work well if mixed with sweeter protein powders or even as an ingredient for cooking.
Overall, since the base is grain-derived, the compatibility between the flavoring and the grain base seemed to have a significant impact on the overall taste.
Although it deviates slightly from the experimental conditions, I strongly recommend chilling the drink for better flavor. Preparing it in advance and letting it sit in the refrigerator enhances the taste noticeably. Pairing it with black coffee, especially hot coffee, also makes for a delightful experience.
One caution: as a complete nutrition meal, Huel is prone to spoilage. Leaving a partially consumed drink at room temperature can lead to unpleasant outcomes. Handle with care!
Conclusion
Huel tastes great.
Vanilla, Coffee Caramel, and Salted Caramel are highly recommended.
Unflavored can be skipped.
That’s all! 😊
- About six months later, I had a detailed examination after my health checkup, which included blood tests and an ultrasound, flagged some issues. It turned out I had fatty liver! Be careful, as drinking too much can lead to fatty liver! ↩︎
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