A Detailed Look at the Ingredients in Huel Black RTD

January 9, 2026 •

2 min read

With 35g of plant-based protein per bottle, Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink is formulated for a higher protein, lower carbohydrate macro split. This complete meal-in-a-bottle relies on a specific combination of ingredients to deliver its distinct nutritional profile, differentiating it from the standard Huel RTD.

Quick Summary

Huel Black RTD contains a plant-based protein blend of pea, faba bean, and hemp, along with tapioca starch for carbohydrates. Healthy fats come from rapeseed/canola oil, flaxseed, and coconut-derived MCTs, enriched with a comprehensive micronutrient blend.

Key Points

High Protein Formula: Huel Black RTD provides 35g of high-quality, plant-based protein per bottle, primarily from pea, faba bean, and hemp proteins.
Lower Carbohydrates: With a reduced carbohydrate count compared to the standard RTD, this version is suitable for those monitoring their carbohydrate intake.
Balanced Fatty Acids: The drink contains a precise blend of healthy fats, including essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids from sources like rapeseed oil and flaxseed.
Enriched with Micronutrients: A fortified micronutrient blend ensures each bottle contains 26 essential vitamins and minerals, supporting overall health and bodily functions.
Natural Sweeteners Only: Sweetened naturally with stevia and a small amount of coconut sugar, the product contains no artificial sweeteners.
Added Antioxidants: The formula includes green tea extract, providing a boost of antioxidants like EGCG.
Convenient & Vegan: As a ready-to-drink meal, it offers convenient, balanced nutrition in a vegan and gluten-free formula.

The Core Plant-Based Proteins

Huel Black RTD's high protein content comes from a blend of plant-based protein sources. This Black Edition uses three vegan proteins: Pea Protein, Faba Bean Protein, and Hemp Seed Protein, to provide a complete amino acid profile, including all nine essential amino acids necessary for muscle repair and growth.

Carbohydrates and Sweeteners

To achieve a lower-carb profile, Huel Black RTD uses Tapioca Starch as its primary carbohydrate source, which is derived from the cassava plant and aids in texture and sustained energy. Sweetness comes from natural sources: a small amount of organic Coconut Sugar and Steviol Glycosides from Stevia, avoiding artificial sweeteners.

Essential Fats and Functional Ingredients

Huel Black RTD incorporates a mix of healthy fats for nutritional completeness. These include Cold-Pressed Rapeseed Oil (or Canola Oil) providing omega fatty acids, Ground Flaxseed for fiber and omega-3s, and Medium-Chain Triglyceride Powder from coconut for easily metabolized energy. Sunflower Lecithin is used as an emulsifier for texture, and Green Tea Extract is included for antioxidants like EGCG.

The All-Important Micronutrient Blend

A comprehensive blend of 26 essential vitamins and minerals is added to Huel Black RTD, ensuring it's a complete meal beyond just macronutrients. This blend includes various vitamins (A, C, D, E, K, and B vitamins) and minerals (such as Potassium, Calcium, Iron, Zinc, and Selenium), plus Choline, important for health.

Comparison Table: Huel Black RTD vs. Standard Huel RTD


Feature	Huel Black RTD	Standard Huel RTD	Source
Protein (per 500ml)	35g	20g	,
Carbohydrates (per 500ml)	22-23g	~34g (v1.0)	,
Carbohydrate Source	Tapioca Starch	Oats, Tapioca, Brown Rice	,
Protein Source	Pea, Faba Bean, and Hemp	Pea and Rice (v1.0), Pea and Hemp (v2.0)	,,
Fat Source	Canola/Rapeseed, Flaxseed, Coconut MCTs	Canola/Rapeseed, Flaxseed, Sunflower, Coconut MCTs	,
Sweeteners	Stevia, Coconut Sugar	Sucralose (for v1.0, some v2.0), varies by version	,,
Green Tea Extract	Yes	No	,

Conclusion

Huel Black RTD's ingredients are selected to deliver a high-protein, lower-carb, nutritionally complete vegan meal. The blend of pea, faba bean, and hemp proteins provides complete amino acids, while tapioca starch offers a carbohydrate source. Healthy fats come from oils, flaxseed, and coconut MCTs, complemented by a significant micronutrient blend and natural sweeteners. This creates a convenient, balanced, and versatile option suitable for various dietary needs.

To learn more about Huel's overall nutritional philosophy and product details, visit the official Huel website.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary protein sources are a blend of pea protein, faba bean protein, and hemp seed protein, which together provide a complete amino acid profile.

Yes, Huel Black RTD is formulated to be 100% vegan and is also certified gluten-free, using only plant-based ingredients.

The main carbohydrate source is tapioca starch, derived from the cassava plant, which contributes to the product's smooth consistency.

No, Huel Black RTD uses natural sweeteners, specifically steviol glycosides from stevia and a small amount of organic coconut sugar.

The fat blend includes cold-pressed rapeseed/canola oil, ground flaxseed for essential fatty acids, and medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) from coconut for energy.

Huel Black RTD has a macro split designed for higher protein and lower carbohydrates compared to the standard Huel RTD.

Yes, it contains green tea extract, which is a source of antioxidants like EGCG.