Do You Put on Weight With Huel? A Comprehensive Guide

November 16, 2025 •

4 min read

Over 80% of individuals who try to gain muscle mass struggle to meet their daily caloric and protein goals consistently. Can you put on weight with Huel? The truth is, Huel itself does not cause weight gain, but it can be an extremely effective tool to help you achieve a calorie surplus for healthy weight gain.

Quick Summary

Using Huel for weight gain depends entirely on your overall calorie intake. By consuming more calories than your body burns, you can leverage Huel's balanced nutrition to support a controlled calorie surplus, aiding in muscle gain or overall weight increase. Its convenience simplifies tracking your intake for consistent results.

Key Points

Weight Gain Requires Calorie Surplus: To gain weight, you must consume more calories than you burn, regardless of whether you use Huel.
Huel Is a Tool for Calorie Increase: Huel's high-calorie content and convenience make it an effective way to supplement your diet and achieve the necessary calorie surplus.
Combine with Exercise for Muscle Gain: Pairing Huel intake with a weight-training program ensures that the weight gained is primarily muscle mass, not just fat.
Different Huel Products Suit Different Goals: Opt for Huel Black Edition if you prioritize higher protein for muscle gain, or use regular Huel Powder for a balanced calorie boost.
Track Your Intake for Best Results: Use a calorie tracking app or simple kitchen scales to ensure you are consistently in a calorie surplus to meet your goals.

The Science of Weight Gain and Calorie Balance

At its core, weight gain, just like weight loss, is governed by a simple principle: calorie balance. To gain weight, you must consume more calories than your body expends. This is known as being in a caloric surplus. Huel is simply a nutritionally complete food, not a magical solution for weight gain or loss. Its effect on your weight is determined by how you integrate it into your overall diet.

For most people looking to gain weight, increasing calorie intake can be challenging. Liquid calories, like those found in Huel shakes, can be an easier way to boost daily energy without feeling overly full. Huel's pre-calculated calorie content also removes the guesswork from tracking, helping you maintain a consistent surplus day-to-day.

How to Use Huel to Gain Weight

Using Huel for weight gain is a matter of strategic caloric addition. Here are some methods:

Add Huel between meals: Instead of replacing meals, add a Huel shake as a nutrient-dense snack between your regular meals. This can easily boost your daily calories by 400-800, depending on the product and portion size.
Blend with high-calorie additions: Enhance your Huel shake by blending in extra ingredients. For example:
- Nut butter or seeds for healthy fats and extra calories.
- Oat milk instead of water for added energy.
- Fruit or spinach for extra vitamins and fiber.
Incorporate Huel Hot & Savoury: For those who prefer solid food, Huel's Hot & Savoury meals are an excellent way to get a balanced, high-calorie meal quickly. Combining these with your regular diet can help you meet your surplus goals.

Huel Product Comparison for Weight Gain

Different Huel products offer varying calorie and macro profiles, making some more suitable for weight gain than others. Here is a comparison of key products for bulking:


Feature	Huel Powder v3.1	Huel Black Edition	Huel Hot & Savoury
Calories per serving (2 scoops)	400 kcal	400 kcal	400 kcal
Protein per serving	29-30g	40g	23-25g
Primary Goal	Balanced nutrition	High protein	Quick, hot meal
Weight Gain Suitability	Good, versatile base	Excellent for muscle building	Great for adding extra meals
Best for	Adding calories to any diet	Maximizing muscle gain with higher protein	Filling, savory meal replacement
Pros	Affordable, customizable	High protein content	Convenient, satisfying texture
Cons	Lower protein-to-calorie ratio than Black Edition	Can be less filling for some	Less flexible for small additions

The Role of Macronutrients and Exercise

When gaining weight, the quality of calories matters. A Huel shake provides a balanced mix of carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats, along with 26 essential vitamins and minerals. This balanced profile is crucial for ensuring you're gaining healthy weight and muscle, rather than just fat.

Macronutrient balance for weight gain includes:

Protein: Essential for muscle repair and growth, especially when paired with strength training. Huel Black Edition is particularly high in protein, supporting those focused on building muscle mass.
Carbohydrates: Provide the energy needed for intense workouts and replenish muscle glycogen stores.
Fats: A calorie-dense and necessary component for hormone production and overall health. Huel contains a blend of healthy fats from flaxseed and sunflower oil.

In addition to dietary changes, regular exercise is critical. A weight-training program, in combination with a calorie surplus, will help build muscle mass rather than simply increasing body fat. Huel can be an excellent post-workout option to refuel muscles and aid recovery.

Tracking Your Progress and Calorie Intake

To ensure you are gaining weight at a healthy pace (approximately 0.5-1kg per week), it's important to monitor your intake and progress. Start by calculating your Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE), then add a controlled calorie surplus of 300-500 calories per day.

Calorie Tracking Apps: Use an app like MyFitnessPal to log your food and Huel intake to stay on target.
Consistent Weigh-ins: Weigh yourself weekly at the same time and under the same conditions to track your progress accurately.
Listen to your body: Pay attention to how you feel. If you feel excessively full or bloated, adjust your portions or the timing of your Huel intake.

Conclusion: Controlled Weight Gain with Huel

So, do you put on weight with Huel? The answer is not automatically, but you absolutely can as part of a structured approach. Huel serves as a convenient and nutritionally complete tool for those who want to gain weight by consistently achieving a calorie surplus. By incorporating Huel shakes strategically between meals, enhancing them with high-calorie add-ins, and pairing your nutrition with a proper exercise routine, you can use Huel to support healthy, controlled weight and muscle gain. The key is balance, consistency, and mindful tracking of your caloric intake to match your specific goals. For more in-depth nutritional information on Huel, you can visit their official guides: Huel Guide to Gaining Weight.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, drinking Huel does not automatically cause weight gain. Your weight gain or loss depends on your overall calorie balance. If your total daily calorie intake is higher than your expenditure, you will gain weight. If it's lower, you will lose weight, even with Huel.

Huel Black Edition is often recommended for those aiming to gain muscle mass due to its higher protein-to-carbohydrate ratio. Huel Powder v3.1 is also excellent as a versatile base for adding extra calories from other ingredients.

There is no single answer, as it depends on your overall diet and calorie needs. A common strategy is to add one or two Huel shakes as extra meals or snacks throughout the day, in addition to your regular food, to achieve a calorie surplus.

Yes, Huel can be an effective tool for gaining muscle mass. Its high protein content supports muscle growth and repair, especially when combined with a consistent weight-training program and a calorie surplus.

To increase calories, consider adding ingredients like nut butter, seeds, oats, olive oil, coconut milk, or blending with milk instead of water. These additions increase the shake's energy density.

Bloating can occur as your body adjusts to the high fiber content of Huel. Try starting with smaller servings and gradually increasing your intake. Ensure you're also drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Some people find the gluten-free version to be less bloating.

Huel is a nutritionally complete food, providing a balanced mix of macros, vitamins, and minerals. When used to achieve a calorie surplus, it can be a healthier alternative to gaining weight with nutrient-poor, high-fat junk foods. However, a varied diet with whole foods is also crucial for long-term health.