Although Huel is perfectly fine for pregnant women according to the website, I can’t find any reviews here from women who have tried this.
And since I’m being pregnant of my second kid and already a Huel user I thought I make an excellent guinea pig. So here is my experience so far.
The first trimester I felt really sick and didn’t use Huel since I only felt the need to eat white bread all day and that’s about it… Not really healthy…
After a few weeks without Huel and my white bread diet the doctor told me I have a vitamins deficiency. So they put me on iron, vitamin d and folic acid. I really hate having to take so many pills a day.
Currently I’m in my second trimester and the nausea is over so I started using Huel again. Few weeks later and another blood test and the doctor says I can quit all the extra vitamins I had to take.
Not to say Huel has magical powers (although many would agree) but the vitamins in there are pretty awesome.
Agreed, the vitamins are well worth it. I had a rash that wasn’t healing due to an allergic reaction at work (food service) and I honestly think it was getting worse because it had spread. I’m a new user so it’s been about two weeks and slowly over time my rash almost went away. I say almost because I still have some spots left but the point is, it isn’t all over my arm and the top of my hand anymore.
So this is week 28 for me and thought it was time for another update.
I’ve been in the complete Huel mode lately and went to consuming 3 shakes a day now. And one regular evening meal with my little monster and big monster at home.
I think I finally found a default shake that works for me. I make it now with 2 scoops of Original Vanilla, 200ml Alpro coconut and 200ml coconut water. As extra’s I use instant coffee, flavour boosts or avocado.
I’ve been in love with the instant coffee lately. To be honest I thought you were all exaggerating but it is soooo delicious
This kind of shake seems to fill me up just right as 3 scoops really is too much for me. Big meals are a problem since I now have more baby and less stomach space.
So that’s about it. Feeling very healthy and fit at the moment
Week 33, even less stomach space and a belly that looks like I’ve swallowed a giant watermelon.
Regular food does not agree with me anymore. So I tend to take more Huel. Specially in the afternoon and evening when I get very easily nauseous from regular food even when it’s a healthy meal.
I’ve also noticed Huel and water is not enough and leaves me feeling weak sometimes. So I add soy milk and fruit to give me a bit of a lift. I’ve also downsized to 1,5 scoop per meal to avoid nausea from being to full.
I filled my hospital bag in preparation of delivery. I’ve put an entire box of v3 bars in there That should help me through if hospital food sucks again.
I’ve also finally found a colleague at work who uses Huel! She saw my shaker and said: “omg finally someone who also uses Huel. Now I can also safely bring my Shaker to work”
So that’s it for now. New update in a few weeks or baby pictures of which you have to pretend it’s the most beautiful and cutest baby you have ever seen. I think this kid is half Huel so I’m very curious what comes out…
@anon52829317 personally I would say… don’t worry about calories. Pregnancy is stressful / demanding enough without also worrying about calorie counting. Just eat as healthily as possible, take any supplements that your doctor recommends, and eat when you’re hungry.
I wouldn’t even bother monitoring your weight too much (unless you’re concerned that you might not be eating enough and may be losing weight). Certainly don’t worry too much about putting on a bit of weight because it’s hard to know if it’s the baby growing or fluid retention or fat gain or all three (which obviously is perfectly normal).
As for measuring Huel meals maybe just aim for 500 calories as that about average (?)
It’s a tough one and I would advise speaking to your doctor if you are confused.
I completely agree with @ChristinaT don’t worry about the calories! Listen to your doctor and your body rather than a webpage.
In the nicest way possible putting on weight is a good thing during pregnancy. Just remember weight is often not a great marker for how healthy you are.
I agree with @ChristinaT and @Dan_Huel No way you should be worrying about the calories right now. As Dan says, listen to your body and your doctor/midwife if necessary
Thanks for all of your replies. I haven’t gained any weight in the last weeks even though I’m in the third trimester and should gain about 3 to 6 kgs. That’s why I was thinking I need to eat more calories perhaps.
The baby is growing well and gaining weight so that’s good. And over my entire pregnancy my doctor says I’ve gained enough weight so they’re not worried. Being nauseous in the afternoon and evening makes it hard to keep on eating.
I do know how hard it is after a pregnancy to lose the weight again since I still have some left over kgs from baby number 1. That’s why I do monitor my weight gain because after all: I’m the one who has to get rid of it again.
But I will try not to worry about it too much. As long as we are both healthy it’s fine by me.
Thanks for all your updates - we’re hoping to try for a baby later on this year/early next year and I’ve been wondering if Huel is good to keep having whilst pregnant. It’s been such a good routine for me with work that I think I’d find it hard now to go back to how I was eating before!
I think Huel is great for pregnant women or women who try to get pregnant because of all the vitamins. If you’re pregnant though I wouldn’t recommend going 100% because you’ll have some cravings and need for real food.
It’s week 35 now. I placed a giant order with bars, RTD and powder to make sure I have enough to live on when the baby comes since I will be quite preoccupied by then.
Thank god my husband wasn’t home when I got two giant boxes delivered to my door
I talked to my midwife again about not gaining any weight for the last 10 weeks. She says it does not matter since the baby is growing well. Apparently this kid is stealing all my healthy Huel nutrients haha.
I have noticed she becomes very active after having a shake. I imagine she is happy with the new supply then but it might be all in my head
I’m wondering if Huel will help with breastfeeding. During that period enough vitamins, calories and fluids are really important for making it work and Huel helps me with exactly that. Guess we’ll see what happens.
They make an echocardiogram and measure her head, organs, arm and leg length. Based on the grow they can estimate how big she is and if her growth is within normal range.
I love this thread! Good luck with everything @anon52829317! Your daughter could be the world’s first Huel baby, if she gets superpowers please tell us!
Ha I just mean the days of shop bought sandwiches are long in the past! Couldn’t not have my one proper evening meal everyday but breakfast and lunch is just easy peasy!
That should help me through if hospital food sucks again.
