I Replaced ALL My Meals With Huel Powder, Here's What Happened

Summary

In this 3-day experiment, the creator replaces all meals with Huel, a nutritionally complete powdered food, to test its effectiveness and convenience. While the shakes provide physical satiety, they leave the creator mentally distracted and craving real food. Despite some bloating and discomfort, the creator remains impressed by the convenience and nutritional balance. Ultimately, the experiment reveals the pros and cons of relying on meal replacements, with the conclusion that while Huel could be a useful supplement, it’s not a sustainable long-term solution for most people. The creator ends the challenge ready to return to normal food, having lost only one pound.

Takeaways

• 😀 The experiment involves replacing all meals with Huel for 3 days to test its effectiveness as a nutritionally complete meal replacement.
• 😀 Despite warnings from his wife and Huel's support team, the person proceeds with the challenge to explore the future of nutrition.
• 😀 Huel is marketed as a complete powdered food with a balanced macronutrient profile, containing essential vitamins and minerals.
• 😀 There are initial concerns about overdosing on nutrients, so the person consults Huel’s support team and receives reassurance.
• 😀 The first few shakes are easy to make and taste fine, though some clumps of powder are noticed.
• 😀 On day 1, after a few shakes, the individual experiences a burst of energy but also some stomach discomfort and bloating.
• 😀 Aiming for a 2,000-calorie intake to lose a small amount of weight, the person drinks 5 shakes a day and tracks their weight.
• 😀 By day 2, the person notices reduced bloating and queasiness, but mentally struggles with the monotony of liquid meals.
• 😀 Huel’s convenience is appreciated, but the person finds that it’s mentally tough to avoid real food and eat only shakes.
• 😀 On day 3, the person reflects on the pros and cons of the experience: convenience, lack of mental energy, flavor fatigue, and bloating.
• 😀 Ultimately, Huel is not recommended as a full meal replacement long-term, but it’s useful as a supplement for busy schedules or specific nutrition goals.

Q & A

What was the main reason the person decided to try replacing their meals with Hule powder?

The person wanted to test if Hule powder is truly a nutritionally complete meal replacement and to explore the future of nutrition.

How did the person feel about Hule powder after drinking the first shake?

The person found the taste of Hule powder acceptable, though they mentioned it was sweet with a faint taste of oats and clumps of powder that they initially mistook for lettuce.

What issue did the person experience after their second shake?

After the second shake, the person experienced a burst of energy, followed by a feeling of urgency, possibly due to the number of shakes they were consuming or their usual fasting habits.

How did the person plan their calorie intake for the 3-day challenge?

The person aimed to drink five shakes a day, calculating that about 2,000 calories would result in a slight weight loss. They weighed 150.4 lbs at the beginning of the challenge.

What physical effects did the person experience while working out during the challenge?

The person felt bloated and nauseated during their workout, unsure if it was due to the liquid diet or something else.

What advice did the Hule support team give regarding the number of shakes to consume?

Hule support mentioned that three servings of Hule would be too few calories, but the person was consuming five shakes, which they confirmed was safe, though not recommended due to the lack of variety.

How did the person try to manage the bloating caused by the Hule powder?

To manage the bloating, the person spread out the shakes throughout the day, aiming to drink one shake every three to four hours and sip on it slowly over a 30-minute period.

What were some of the pros and cons the person highlighted about drinking Hule as a meal replacement?

Pro: Hule is convenient, cheap, and provides sustained energy. Con: It caused mental fatigue, bloating, and flavor fatigue. It’s also not the same as eating real food and lacks variety.

How did the person feel mentally throughout the 3-day challenge?

The person felt mentally hungry and found themselves constantly thinking about food, even though they weren’t physically hungry. This led to some mental fatigue and a sense of craving for real food.

What was the person’s conclusion after completing the 3-day challenge?

The person concluded that while Hule could be useful as a meal replacement occasionally, they would not recommend it as a long-term solution. They missed the experience of eating real food and noted the difficulty in sustaining this diet.