lost loads of weight after having my baby 8 months ago. In the last 6 weeks I’ve also suffered 2 bouts of gastroenteritis which has only furthered my weight loss. I need to build myself back up but didn’t want a whey based protein drink as I’m breastfeeding and my baby is intolerant to cows milk protein. Hence, Huel seems like a good option. I’ve ordered some and am planning on trying to incorporate it into my normal solid food diet too but if you have any other tips, I’d love to hear them. Thanks
I’ve used huel to gain mass from a fitness/Bodybuilding perspective, worked great.
For your situation I’d say it’s just as good of a fit 
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Hey Rachel, congratulations on your newborn 
! Huel is ideal for gaining weight, we’ve got a handy article here. Hope it helps!
Thanks, really helpful!
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Unfortunately breastfeeding and running around after an 8 month old are making it really difficult for me to put on weight. Hoping the Huel will help!
May I recommend you consult a doctor about your diet while nursing?
So far I haven’t read anything that would suggest that Huel or other meal replacements have been engineered with breastfeeding in mind.
While a diet consisting in part or wholly of Huel may be better than the average breastfeeding mom’s diet, there may still be nutrients that are required in higher amounts during this life stage or the opposite, at too high levels for a baby’s metabolism to process.
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I gained about 10 kilos in the last 9 months (intentionally) and Huel has been my main source of nutrition since long before then
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Do you want to gain muscles or gain some body fat?
If you want to gain some body fat, it’s very easy, you only have to eat enough “fatty” plants like nuts, almonds, oily seeds (especially flax seeds), olives and avocados.
If you want energy and you don’t want to lose additional body fat, then you may give a try to starchy food like whole grains and beans. Beans also have plenty of protein.
Whey powder? Not healthy long term. Not healthy for your baby either.
In general I wouldn’t bother with building extra muscles. There is really no purpose. Anyway if you want extra muscles you need more of all (healthy) food classes. Mostly, plant food. You also need strength training.
I would say Huel is high protein and it’s more oriented toward bodybuilding/building muscles.
P.S: If you’re breastfeeding (great!), take a look at this:
This should give you an idea of what you should eat more. It’s not more protein.
I would say, you need more healthy fats. I’ve already told you where you find these. Don’t forget to eat vegan DHA/EPA supplements. Do NOT eat fishes or fish oil because they’re extremely polluted.
You’re pulling out some wild claims here.
You can’t dictate whether you gain muscle or body fat by changing what you eat, that’s absurd. It’s either calorie surplus + progressive overload (muscle gain), or calorie surplus + no exercise = Pure bodyfat.
Body fat gain comes from excessive caloric surplus, not increased consumption of fatty plants. OP could consume plenty of things for this surplus - Meat, carbs, nuts, milk, eggs. The easiest thing I’ve found for weight gain is whole milk.
Why is there no purpose to extra muscular mass?
Whey protein unhealthy long term? I missed the memo - 10 years now and my last 3 health check ups have been flawless.
Huel is absolutely not orientated towards bodybuilding/building muscles, again, you’re pulling nonsense out of no where. I’ve had discussions with @JamesCollier where he’s explicitly clarified Huel do not target the fitness market. Huel may provide a ridiculously perfect macronutrient composition, but it’s not aimed at bodybuilders.
Also, extremely polluted fish oils? Any source for that?
So many wild claims but no sources or references…
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Couldn’t agree more. I was about to write a small essay, but I think you’ve said it better!
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You’re quite correct with all you say.
However, I do want to say that, although Huel’s target isn’t bodybuilders, many bodybuilders use it as a protein source and Huel is certainly advantageous.
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The body can convert protein into glucose and glucose into fat, but all these conversions will burn calories and the body tries to avoid them. Why not just eat what your body needs? if you need fat, then eat fat. If you need protein, then eat protein. I think my argument is very simple and it makes sense.
Huel with 150g of protein a day for 2000 calories is definitely oriented toward muscle gain or muscle preservation during weight loss. Huel also has plenty of “healthy” fats and this seem oriented toward lowering the glycemic index of Huel meals. In the case of OP, maybe these fats are useful, given breast milk contains fat. But this is just speculation and hypothesis. I think “normal” food is probably the safest choice.
For the rest of my claims, just use google, you can verify yourself. If you can find convincing evidence I’m wrong, please let me know with private messages.
Given you wanted references, then here is one:
If you want more references on some specific topic, you can ask.
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