Algae or Kelp Power?

Nutrition
1

Hi,

I’m relatively new to Huel and this is the first topic I have started. I have been hearing great things about the health benefits, not to mention sustainability, of eating plants from the sea, such as algae or kelp.

I have found powdered algae or kelp to be widely available online and am toying with the idea of adding a scoop to a Huel shake to boost the health benefits. Has anyone tried this, what quantities have you added and what effect did it have on the taste?

Thank you

Alex

2

Actually kelp was recently added (and then removed from) Huel powder. The reason for the removal was largely around Huel powder needing a ‘may contain fish’ warning adding to the bag rather than negative taste or health impacts. (apparently it’s a great natural source of a number of things, so can be worth eating).

Personally though, I don’t like kelp. I’ve read that commercial kelp harvesting can be absolutely devastating to aquatic life and I’ve found it hard to work out if I’m buying from a company that prioritises ecological best practice

2 Likes
3

Very interesting.

It’s such a catch-twenty two, you want to try and eat “the right” things but can end up unintentionally having a negative indirect environmental impact. I’ll scrap the kelp idea for the time being.

I have found a supply of Organic Spirulina [algae] Powder which seems to be sustainably produced. I might try that and experiment with quantities to see what effect it has on flavour.

Thank you Tristan.

4

Update - So I mixed half a teaspoon of Spirulina Power into my chocolate shake. It did turn it a nice green hue and you could taste it. It wasn’t unpleasant but was not a nice as usual. Adding the same amount to the Mexican Chilli was absolutely fine so I think I will do this going forward.

5

Tristan is right we tried kelp in Huel as a source of iodine but unfortunately it didn’t work out.

There are some sustainability certifications which can help your decision like ASC-MSC.

You could also look at kelp or algae that is grown in fermentation tanks to skirt around any open water issues that you don’t agree with.