Has anyone (who doesn’t have this problem with powder) experienced digestive issues with consuming Huel bars?
I have had no issues whatsoever with the powder and I’ve been consuming it daily for about 2 months now. I didn’t even have any problems right at the beginning. No problems at all.
But I received my first box of bars a few days ago, and have been having one a day for the past 5 days, and since then have been having terrible trouble with my guts - bloating, flatulence, grumbling stomach noises, pain, changes in bowel habits etc
I find it really odd that I’m fine with the powder but not the bars. I just had to double check that they are gluten-free (yep they definintely are). So what ingredient differences are there that could cause such significantly different reactions?
Has anyone else experienced this problem too with the bars? And subsequently managed to find out what it is about the bars that causes this? Will it resolve in time do you think?
Thanks in advance for any advice / suggestions / solutions / answers!!
I also swapped my powder to Choc Mint premix on the same day, but other than containing sucralose AND stevia, this powder is identical to all the others so I can’t see that being the problem. Unless its the sudden increase in sweetener consumption - I was previously always mixing my sweetened flavour with UU. But thats such a tiny increase in sweetener - I can’t see that causing such a massive disturbance all of a sudden.
I am not an expert. There are so many sensitivities and intolerances these days. All I know is that I am lactose intolerant…anyone that drinks dairy should be exterminated.
@Bee that’s really interesting you get a similar effect. I wonder what it is…
I would say maybe its all that condensed food into a small bar, with minimal moisture but it isnt massively different than the pulsin bars which are pressed pea protein plus rice plus dates etc, and I can eat about six of them in a row (yeah they are super delicious) without getting ill.
Huel bars (and Huel granola) are not low FODMAP. I find I can tolerate 60g of granola for breakfast without too much discomfort but a Huel bar on top of this really tips the balance. An occasional half bar is usually tolerated later in the day. Needless to say, my box of Huel bars will last a very long time.
The chicory root fibre in Huel Bars is a FODMAP; although better tolerated than most other soluble fibre binders, it can still cause flatulence in some sensitive individuals, though this will also depend on what else you’ve consumed.
Thank you James So one product on its own is tolerated ok but overdo that and whoops, upper abdo pain and bloating. That’s what happens to me. When I am careful all is fine.
That will be it exactly for me: the chicory root fibre. I’ve always had problems with this, even tho I don’t have issues with lots of other higher FODMAP foods and don’t follow a FODMAP diet.
Not sure why chicory root fibre affects me personally. I react to bananas, figs, Jerusalem artichokes, and chicory root fibre, all in a similar way. The most extreme reaction being banana which can actually put me completely out of action for 48hrs with debilitating pain.
Chicory root fibre is just a minor reaction but I probably will avoid the bars in the future. Or try having half at a time, see if that’s ok.
So one product on its own is tolerated ok but overdo that and whoops, upper abdo pain and bloating. That’s what happens to me. When I am careful all is fine.
Huel shakes keep my sensitive gut on an even keel as long as I ration the other stuff.