Hi there, since beginning my Huel journey this year it has honestly changed my life. I used to struggle to eat relating to anxiety and also being a bit of a fussy eater too. Every morning I now have a Powder shake - much more calories than my previous oats / weetabix or toast was. 400 calories easy. Then at lunch I’ve found the Madras hot and savoury is something I look forward to as much as I used to look forward to other convenient / tasty but salty and unhealthy options. Another 400 calories, perfect. I’ve stuck to normal food for dinner sticking to some form of meat, and boiled veg both seasoned to my liking (been fun trying different seasonings and marinades too).
I’ve tried most of the flavours on Powder 3.0 / 3.1. Vanilla worked best for me, seconded by Cinnamon Swirl. I went and tried more, but Banana initially wasn’t what I expected (personal taste), same with the coffee one (I thought it’d be more like the RTD coffee one) - I managed to finish the bags and I got used to / started to like them enough, but they weren’t for me. I just finished salted caramel now, and I was given a bag of mint chocolate my girlfriend tried but didn’t like - again, not for me. Though I will say that across the various flavours, I bet there is one that will float every kind of persons boat in terms of taste - whether it’s sweet, bland, fruity, minty etc. I’m not complaining about any of them, but long story short, the flavours aren’t for me. In the mornings, or on the go, I’m quite fussy about what kind of flavour I like and some of them are too rich or heavy feeling. Plain keeps me happy.
So, I’ve also found I go through the Madras H&S a lot. Ordered them by about 3 bags at a time lately. Had tried the spaghetti carbonara and Mac and cheeze too - and again, I got through the bags and they weren’t bad, but again not for me, not the things I can have often without feeling a little sick of them or not in the mood for. Madras for me (for some strange reason) hits the spot, every time and months later, I’m not fed up with it. If anyone internal is reading PLEASE never change this recipe! (and also, does it sell well? I hope it does because then it’ll likely last forever).
I’m spending more on the H&S Madras - and I’m going to keep doing that unless there was to be a price increase. It’s a little hard to justify, I wish there was bigger options or bulk options since the bags don’t last as many meals as the powder. However, this is my secret weapon now to having enough energy - any time, at short notice - and on the go if I must. It goes down well, and feels like it ‘burns clean’ in my system (no stinking burps or bloating etc for long after). Other than the price, it’s too good to be true in my nutrition / eating journey.
Back to the point… to justify what I’m spending on the Madras, combined with my experience of the flavours, I’m going to move to Huel Essential. It’s cheaper, by a large margin really when you look at it across months and years.
Initially I’d have been put off by the lack of options, but having tried this for months, plain is for me. The vanilla, I can see, being for me. What is the difference?
Look, I know I can find the technical breakdown on the site - it’s all very good and informative. But I’m no nutritionist. Part of why I favour Huel is that it’s NOT specifically focussed at weight loss or for gym-nuts. Secondly, how plain and simple it is “This is food” and “Nutritionally complete”. I’m probably flushed with a tonne of nutrients now that I’ve missed my entire life. I couldn’t tell you the ins and outs, and I’d be bored getting too into the science behind it.
Is it any different powder / mixing wise? More lumps? Less lumps? Easier to avoid lumps or need to shake it more?
Does it lack any major benefits of the more expensive Powder 3.0 / 3.1?
Does it fit certain people / groups better or less? (e.g. I hear that the Black Huel is better for diabetics - even if it’s not explicitly marketed as such)
Is it as easy as I think about moving toward it to save money and favour the H&S, or am I making a choice that will impact the nutrition I receive from the current shakes I’ve tried?
