Is Huel Considered Ultra-Processed Food? An In-depth Analysis

January 3, 2026 •

4 min read

According to the widely used NOVA food classification system, many Huel products, including its powders and ready-to-drink shakes, are classified as ultra-processed. The question of whether Huel is considered ultra-processed food is complex, with the official classification contrasting with its formulated nutritional completeness.

Quick Summary

This article explores whether Huel is an ultra-processed food, examining the NOVA classification system, Huel's ingredients and processing, its nutritional profile, and the wider health debate surrounding processed foods.

Key Points

NOVA Classification: Based on the NOVA system, Huel is technically classified as a Group 4 (ultra-processed) food due to its industrial formulation and ingredient list.
Nutritionally Complete: Unlike typical ultra-processed junk food, Huel is engineered to be nutritionally complete, providing a balanced profile of essential vitamins, minerals, protein, and fiber.
Ingredients and Processing: Huel uses multiple processed ingredients, such as pea and rice protein isolates and a fortified vitamin blend, which is a key factor in its UPF designation.
Health Debate Context: The health implications of UPFs are complex, and some experts argue the negative effects are more tied to poor nutritional content (high sugar, fat, salt) rather than processing alone, a factor that doesn't apply to Huel.
Convenience vs. Whole Foods: Huel is best viewed as a convenient, healthy alternative to other fast or less nutritious options, but it is not a direct substitute for a varied, whole-food-based diet.

Understanding the NOVA Classification System

To determine if Huel is an ultra-processed food, one must first understand the most common method for classifying food processing: the NOVA system. Developed by researchers at the University of São Paulo, NOVA categorizes foods into four distinct groups based on the extent and purpose of their processing.

Group 1: Unprocessed or Minimally Processed Foods. These are foods in their natural state or with minor alterations, such as fruits, vegetables, eggs, and frozen produce.
Group 2: Processed Culinary Ingredients. These include oils, sugar, salt, and butter derived from Group 1 foods.
Group 3: Processed Foods. Simple products made by combining Group 1 and Group 2 ingredients, like homemade bread or cheeses.
Group 4: Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs). These are industrial formulations made from multiple ingredients, often containing additives, emulsifiers, and flavors not commonly used in home cooking. This category includes items like candy, sugary drinks, and many ready meals.

Under this system, Huel's products are classified as Group 4 because they are industrial formulations containing ingredients that have undergone significant processing, such as protein isolates and fortified vitamin blends.

Why is Huel Classified as Ultra-Processed?

The Ingredients and Their Processing

Huel products contain a blend of ingredients that are industrially produced and processed to achieve a specific nutritional profile and shelf life. For example, Huel powder is made from ingredients like pea protein and brown rice protein, which are extracted from their whole food sources. Flaxseed and sunflower oil powder are added to provide essential fats, and a micronutrient blend is fortified with essential vitamins and minerals. These extraction and fortification steps, along with the combination of numerous processed ingredients, are key factors in its UPF classification.

Purpose of Processing

The purpose of Huel's processing is to create a nutritionally complete, convenient, and shelf-stable product, which is characteristic of Group 4 foods. The ingredients are processed to ensure they are easily digestible and provide a balanced macronutrient ratio, something that goes beyond simple home preparation. While beneficial, this extensive alteration and formulation process is what aligns Huel with the ultra-processed category, regardless of its superior nutritional content compared to typical junk food.

Huel's Nutritional Profile vs. Typical UPFs

One of the main points of contention in the debate is that Huel is not nutritionally comparable to other items in the UPF category, such as sugary sodas or pre-packaged cakes. While both may be classified as ultra-processed, their health impacts can differ dramatically. Many traditional UPFs are high in sugar, unhealthy fats, and sodium, and lack essential nutrients. In contrast, Huel is formulated to be a nutritionally complete food source, high in protein and fiber and containing all 27 essential vitamins and minerals. Huel's high fiber content, primarily from oats and flaxseed, gives it a low glycemic load, preventing the rapid blood sugar spikes often associated with many other UPFs.

The Broader Health Debate on UPFs

For years, observational studies have linked high consumption of ultra-processed foods with negative health outcomes like obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. However, as the Food Standards Agency points out, it is not yet fully understood if these negative effects are due to the processing itself or simply the poor nutritional profile (high fat, sugar, salt) of many foods in that category. Some experts argue that lumping nutritionally diverse foods like Huel into the same category as less nutritious UPFs can be misleading. Research suggests that focusing on overall diet quality, including a high intake of whole foods, is more beneficial than solely focusing on a food's processing level.

Huel vs. Other Food Categories: A Comparison


Feature	Huel (e.g., Powder)	Typical Unhealthy UPF (e.g., Sugary Cereal)	Whole Food Meal (e.g., Oatmeal)
Processing Level	Industrial formulation; uses isolates and fortification.	Industrial formulation; uses refined ingredients, high sugar.	Minimal to none; oats are rolled or steel-cut.
Nutritional Profile	Nutritionally complete; balanced macros, vitamins, minerals.	Often nutritionally poor; high sugar, low fiber and protein.	Naturally nutrient-dense; high fiber, vitamins, minerals.
Ingredients	Oat flour, pea protein, flaxseed, micronutrient blend, etc..	Refined grains, high-fructose corn syrup, artificial colors/flavors.	Whole oats, water/milk, fruit, nuts.
Convenience	Very high; quick to prepare as a shake or ready-to-drink.	Very high; ready-to-eat with minimal or no preparation.	Low to moderate; requires preparation and cooking.

A Nuanced Perspective: The Role of Huel in a Diet

Huel products can be a powerful tool for achieving nutritional goals, especially for individuals with busy lifestyles or those who find it challenging to prepare nutritionally complete meals from scratch. It serves a different purpose than, and provides a healthier alternative to, less nutritious convenience foods like fast food. However, nutrition experts still emphasize that a varied diet rich in whole foods is the ideal for long-term health. Incorporating Huel as a strategic supplement or occasional meal replacement, rather than a total diet substitute, allows users to reap its benefits while still enjoying a diverse, whole-food-based diet.

Conclusion

The technical answer is that yes, according to the NOVA system, Huel is considered ultra-processed food because of its multi-ingredient, industrially formulated nature. However, this classification alone does not tell the whole story. Huel is specifically designed for nutritional completeness, unlike many other common UPFs that are primarily high in fat, sugar, and salt. The debate highlights the inadequacy of current classification systems to distinguish between different types of processed foods based on their nutritional quality. Ultimately, Huel represents a nutritionally robust, albeit industrially processed, convenience food, which offers a healthier alternative to traditional junk food for those with busy schedules. It can serve as a beneficial component of a balanced, whole-foods-centric diet. For further information on the broader context of food processing, consult sources like the UK's Food Standards Agency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Huel is considered ultra-processed under the NOVA classification system because it is an industrial formulation containing ingredients that have been significantly altered from their natural state, such as protein isolates and added vitamin blends. The classification is based on the extent of processing, not the nutritional quality of the final product.

The NOVA system is a framework that classifies foods into four groups based on their extent and purpose of processing. Ultra-processed foods (Group 4) are industrial formulations, including items like soft drinks and many ready meals.

Huel's ingredients undergo various processing steps, including milling oats into flour, extracting protein from peas and rice, grinding flaxseed, and fortifying with a blend of essential vitamins and minerals. These processes are done to ensure nutritional balance and product consistency.

Yes, Huel is generally considered healthier than most traditional ultra-processed foods because it is specifically designed to be nutritionally complete, with a balance of protein, carbs, healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. This contrasts with typical unhealthy UPFs which are often high in sugar, fat, and salt.

While Huel is nutritionally complete, experts recommend using it to complement a diet rich in whole foods, rather than replacing it entirely. A varied diet of whole foods offers a broader range of nutrients and benefits not fully replicated by meal replacements.

Studies have linked high consumption of UPFs to conditions like obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. However, it's debated whether this is due to the processing methods or the poor nutritional content of many UPFs. Huel's focus on nutritional quality sets it apart from typical junk food UPFs.

Huel states its products do not contain many of the unhealthy additives found in other processed foods, such as artificial sweeteners, flavors, or preservatives. The ingredients are chosen for their specific nutritional purpose to ensure a complete profile.