# Sweeteners in protein powders/meal replacements **URL:** \ **Category:** Nutrition\ **Created:** [July 30, 2019, 12:59pm UTC](https://discuss.huel.com/t/sweeteners-in-protein-powders-meal-replacements/14548 "2019-07-30T12:59:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![mathew](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discuss.huel.com/mathew/32/4626_2.png) [@mathew](https://discuss.huel.com/u/mathew)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2019, 1:56pm UTC](https://discuss.huel.com/t/sweeteners-in-protein-powders-meal-replacements/14548/21 "2019-08-04T13:56:36Z")
> [@rikefrejut](#): > > Of all the other mentioned sweeteners, sucralose is the safest and has the smallest side effects - which is why it is used in the flavored Huel powders. The flavored Huel powders also seem to include stevia, though. The vanilla powder lists Steviol Glycosides in its ingredients list. That’s why the only Huel I’ve tried is the unsweetened. My perfect meal drink is a 50/50 blend of unflavored Huel, mixed with plain Soylent drink. Provides just the right amount of sweetness and creaminess with no stevia aftertaste. Huel alone is filling but doesn’t taste good; Soylent alone is tasty but a little too sweet and not filling enough. ---
**Author:** ![hunzas](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discuss.huel.com/hunzas/32/8275_2.png) [@hunzas](https://discuss.huel.com/u/hunzas)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2019, 3:01pm UTC](https://discuss.huel.com/t/sweeteners-in-protein-powders-meal-replacements/14548/22 "2019-08-04T15:01:58Z")
> [@mathew](#): > > The vanilla powder lists Steviol Glycosides in its ingredients list. Where did you see that? It certainly isn’t the case in any of the flavoured Huel powders I have regardless of which flavour. ---
**Author:** ![Bee](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discuss.huel.com/bee/32/6693_2.png) [@Bee](https://discuss.huel.com/u/Bee)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2019, 3:10pm UTC](https://discuss.huel.com/t/sweeteners-in-protein-powders-meal-replacements/14548/23 "2019-08-04T15:10:05Z")
@mathew as far as I can see, it is only Mint-Chocolate Huel powder that contains steviol glycocides along with the sucralose. ---
**Author:** ![mathew](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discuss.huel.com/mathew/32/4626_2.png) [@mathew](https://discuss.huel.com/u/mathew)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2019, 3:29pm UTC](https://discuss.huel.com/t/sweeteners-in-protein-powders-meal-replacements/14548/24 "2019-08-04T15:29:53Z")
[Right here on the nutrition page](https://huel.com/pages/the-huel-powder-formula-explained#additional): ## Ingredients of Huel Powder ### Vanilla v1.1 Oats, Pea Protein, Flaxseed, Brown Rice Protein, Sunflower Oil Powder, Medium-Chain Triglyceride Powder (from Coconut), Natural Vanilla Flavor, Acacia Gum, Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum, Steviol Glycosides, … ---
**Author:** ![ChristinaT](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discuss.huel.com/christinat/32/7936_2.png) [@ChristinaT](https://discuss.huel.com/u/ChristinaT)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2019, 3:36pm UTC](https://discuss.huel.com/t/sweeteners-in-protein-powders-meal-replacements/14548/25 "2019-08-04T15:36:58Z")
@mathew that’s a really old page… where did you find that? Huel powder is now on v2.3 That’s the ingredients list for v1.1 ! When I clicked on your link, I got this: ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/uploads/huel/original/2X/a/a8022e8ce2d9ada25fc87e854223ea1232b10304.png) ---
**Author:** ![hunzas](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discuss.huel.com/hunzas/32/8275_2.png) [@hunzas](https://discuss.huel.com/u/hunzas)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2019, 3:40pm UTC](https://discuss.huel.com/t/sweeteners-in-protein-powders-meal-replacements/14548/26 "2019-08-04T15:40:26Z")
I think he is looking at USA site, I just checked there and it has that formula. UK ingredients are different. ---
**Author:** ![Bee](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discuss.huel.com/bee/32/6693_2.png) [@Bee](https://discuss.huel.com/u/Bee)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2019, 3:52pm UTC](https://discuss.huel.com/t/sweeteners-in-protein-powders-meal-replacements/14548/27 "2019-08-04T15:52:00Z")
That would explain it @hunzas 👍 ---
**Author:** ![mathew](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discuss.huel.com/mathew/32/4626_2.png) [@mathew](https://discuss.huel.com/u/mathew)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2019, 3:59pm UTC](https://discuss.huel.com/t/sweeteners-in-protein-powders-meal-replacements/14548/28 "2019-08-04T15:59:07Z")
Well, here’s hoping the USA gets a more up-to-date offering soon then! ---
**Author:** ![hunzas](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discuss.huel.com/hunzas/32/8275_2.png) [@hunzas](https://discuss.huel.com/u/hunzas)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2019, 7:28pm UTC](https://discuss.huel.com/t/sweeteners-in-protein-powders-meal-replacements/14548/29 "2019-08-04T19:28:21Z")
USA version 1:1 isn’t the same as UK 1:1, Huel launched later in USA, so although we are on 2:3 it doesn’t mean that yours is a really old version from 1963. ---
**Author:** ![ChristinaT](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discuss.huel.com/christinat/32/7936_2.png) [@ChristinaT](https://discuss.huel.com/u/ChristinaT)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2019, 8:04pm UTC](https://discuss.huel.com/t/sweeteners-in-protein-powders-meal-replacements/14548/30 "2019-08-04T20:04:24Z")
Ah thanks @hunzas that explains it (that properly puzzled me!) I’m sure I read somewhere that the reason the US has a slightly different formula is because of different food regulations there. @mathew you might want to join the US forum as well (discourse.huel) because the flavours, ingredients and labelling are slightly different to what we have here in the UK, so you might get more relevant info on that forum especially in regards to ingredients. You might as well join both forums n get the benefit of everybody’s wisdom 😁 ---
**Author:** ![Dan\_Huel](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discuss.huel.com/dan_huel/32/10347_2.png) [@Dan\_Huel](https://discuss.huel.com/u/Dan_Huel)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2019, 7:09am UTC](https://discuss.huel.com/t/sweeteners-in-protein-powders-meal-replacements/14548/31 "2019-08-05T07:09:52Z")
> [@mathew](#): > > The flavored Huel powders also seem to include stevia, though. The vanilla powder lists Steviol Glycosides in its ingredients list. That’s why the only Huel I’ve tried is the unsweetened. This is true for the US, but not the UK. The only UK powder that contains steviol glycosides is mint chocolate. > [@ChristinaT](#): > > I’m sure I read somewhere that the reason the US has a slightly different formula is because of different food regulations there. Yes and also different tastes, it’s hard to get my head around sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![lkraav](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discuss.huel.com/lkraav/32/6869_2.png) [@lkraav](https://discuss.huel.com/u/lkraav)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2019, 11:53am UTC](https://discuss.huel.com/t/sweeteners-in-protein-powders-meal-replacements/14548/32 "2019-08-05T11:53:57Z")
[https://healthybutsmart.com/stevia-health-benefits/](https://healthybutsmart.com/stevia-health-benefits/) is also what seems to be a solid meta-analysis of sweetener research. ---
**Author:** ![darren1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@darren1](https://discuss.huel.com/u/darren1)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2019, 4:59am UTC](https://discuss.huel.com/t/sweeteners-in-protein-powders-meal-replacements/14548/33 "2019-08-08T04:59:00Z")
[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278691519304818](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278691519304818) ---
**Author:** ![Blobbymatt](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discuss.huel.com/blobbymatt/32/7539_2.png) [@Blobbymatt](https://discuss.huel.com/u/Blobbymatt)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2019, 8:11am UTC](https://discuss.huel.com/t/sweeteners-in-protein-powders-meal-replacements/14548/34 "2019-08-08T08:11:21Z")
Correct me if i’m wrong, but this paper is a literature review stating that sweeteners disrupt the microbiome of the human body, but they don’t know what effect this really has. I didn’t see many strong safety concerns although there are some points of further research, such as the effect of high quantities of Sucralose in breast milk, decreased insulin sensitivity. When the paper describes problems that occurred in rats, these rats were given the maximum dosage for humans and considering the size difference between humans and rats, I don’t feel this research can be directly inferred to humans like this paper attempts. The key safety concern i identified i see in that paper is when Sucralose heated in products, which has no impact on most people. This is because the effects require Sucralose to be melted (above 125 degrees C) and would have no confirmed impact on those who put it in coffee or dissolve it before cooking e.g. not allowing it to melt. On top of that i don’t see this having much of an impact on huel as its generally consumed cold. Remember to have a critical mind even when reading research. ---
**Author:** ![ROAG](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discuss.huel.com/roag/32/7391_2.png) [@ROAG](https://discuss.huel.com/u/ROAG)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2019, 8:40am UTC](https://discuss.huel.com/t/sweeteners-in-protein-powders-meal-replacements/14548/35 "2019-08-08T08:40:44Z")
I might be a bit loony here, but wouldn’t it be an option to mix yourself/develop a version with a natural sweetener with a low GI? Something like honey (GI 50), coconut sugar (GI 35), fructose (GI 25), agave syrup (GI 15),… I’m not a food scientist in any way, but I like the idea of having, next to a unsweetened version, also a “naturally” sweetened version. ---
**Author:** ![airiartev](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discuss.huel.com/airiartev/32/5961_2.png) [@airiartev](https://discuss.huel.com/u/airiartev)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2019, 8:44am UTC](https://discuss.huel.com/t/sweeteners-in-protein-powders-meal-replacements/14548/36 "2019-08-08T08:44:17Z")
What about the Huel without sucralose, just the flavour? ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_Huel](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discuss.huel.com/tim_huel/32/11195_2.png) [@Tim\_Huel](https://discuss.huel.com/u/Tim_Huel)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2019, 8:58am UTC](https://discuss.huel.com/t/sweeteners-in-protein-powders-meal-replacements/14548/37 "2019-08-08T08:58:25Z")
> [@airiartev](#): > > What about the Huel without sucralose, just the flavour? It doesn’t really work. The thing with the sweetener is that they kind of work in tandem. If you just added the flavouring you would have to add so so much to have a marked effect – this would result in a sort of flavour burn. We’re researching alternatives because it is interesting and also clear that despite plenty of research to the contrary, many still don’t like the idea of sucralose. ---
**Author:** ![airiartev](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discuss.huel.com/airiartev/32/5961_2.png) [@airiartev](https://discuss.huel.com/u/airiartev)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2019, 9:12am UTC](https://discuss.huel.com/t/sweeteners-in-protein-powders-meal-replacements/14548/38 "2019-08-08T09:12:55Z")
Thanks for the info. Yes, that would be great ---
**Author:** ![ChristinaT](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discuss.huel.com/christinat/32/7936_2.png) [@ChristinaT](https://discuss.huel.com/u/ChristinaT)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2019, 9:25am UTC](https://discuss.huel.com/t/sweeteners-in-protein-powders-meal-replacements/14548/39 "2019-08-08T09:25:53Z")
> [@Tim\_Huel](#): > > We’re researching alternatives @airiartev At the risk of repeating myself (😆) Unflavoured & Unsweetened plus Cacao is flavour without sweetener and tastes aMaZing! 😋🤤😊🥳 ---
**Author:** ![ROAG](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discuss.huel.com/roag/32/7391_2.png) [@ROAG](https://discuss.huel.com/u/ROAG)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2019, 9:41am UTC](https://discuss.huel.com/t/sweeteners-in-protein-powders-meal-replacements/14548/40 "2019-08-08T09:41:10Z")
> [@Tim\_Huel](#): > > We’re researching alternatives In which direction? Other synthecic sweeteners or more in the direction of natural sweeteners? [Previous page](https://discuss.huel.com/t/sweeteners-in-protein-powders-meal-replacements/14548.md?page=1) [Next page](https://discuss.huel.com/t/sweeteners-in-protein-powders-meal-replacements/14548.md?page=3)