Should you drink Huel every day?

January 5, 2026 •

4 min read

While a 2022 Huel-funded study found a 100% Huel diet improved health markers over four weeks, the company itself advises against total replacement. So, should you drink Huel every day, and is it a sustainable long-term strategy for optimal health?

Quick Summary

This article explores the benefits and drawbacks of consuming Huel on a daily basis. It covers potential side effects, compares Huel to whole foods, and provides guidance for effective integration into a balanced lifestyle.

Key Points

Strategic Use: Huel is best used to supplement a healthy diet, not to replace all meals, providing convenience and balanced nutrition.
Start Gradually: To minimize digestive side effects like gas and bloating, ease into daily Huel consumption slowly over a week or two.
Whole Foods are Key: A diet rich in varied whole foods provides a wider spectrum of nutrients, phytochemicals, and fibers that Huel cannot fully replicate.
Monitor Effects: Pay attention to how your body responds, especially regarding digestive comfort, and adjust your intake accordingly.
Consider the 'Why': Use Huel to fill nutritional gaps or for convenience, but understand that sustainable eating habits are built around a healthy relationship with food, which includes whole foods.
Hydration is Important: The high fiber content in Huel means drinking plenty of water is essential to aid digestion and overall well-being.

The Appeal of Daily Huel

For many busy individuals, the idea of a nutritionally complete, convenient, and affordable food source is highly attractive. Huel offers a way to get a balanced mix of protein, carbs, fats, fiber, and 26 essential vitamins and minerals without the time and effort of meal preparation. A controlled 400-calorie serving also makes calorie counting straightforward for those managing their weight. The product is also plant-based, which appeals to vegans and those seeking a low-impact food source.

Benefits of Drinking Huel Daily

Incorporating Huel into your daily routine offers several tangible benefits, especially when used to supplement a balanced diet rather than replace it entirely.

Nutritional Completeness: Huel is designed by nutritionists to be nutritionally complete, ensuring you meet essential daily requirements for vitamins and minerals, which can help fill gaps in an otherwise poor diet.
Convenience: For people with time-pressed schedules, a quick shake or hot meal is a significant benefit over unhealthy fast-food alternatives.
Weight Management: The controlled portion size and high protein/fiber content promote feelings of fullness, helping to reduce snacking and manage overall calorie intake for weight loss.
Improved Health Markers: As shown in a short-term Huel-funded study, subjects on a 100% Huel diet experienced lower cholesterol, lower blood sugar levels, and reduced weight.
Cost-Effectiveness: When compared to buying daily takeaway meals, Huel can be a very cost-effective way to get a nutritious meal.

Potential Downsides and Side Effects

While the benefits are clear, drinking Huel every day, especially as a near-total dietary replacement, has some potential drawbacks.

Digestive Issues: Due to its high fiber content, new users may experience side effects like bloating, gas, stomach upset, or altered bowel movements. Gradually increasing intake allows the body to adjust.
Lack of Whole Foods: Huel lacks the thousands of phytochemicals, antioxidants, and diverse fibers found in whole foods. A diet solely based on Huel can limit the variety of nutrients your gut microbiome needs.
High Protein Intake: Some experts express concern that long-term, high protein intake from Huel could potentially strain the kidneys, especially for those with pre-existing conditions.
Risk of Gout Flare-ups: In a 2019 study, uric acid levels were shown to increase when consuming Huel as a sole source of nutrition. Individuals prone to gout should limit daily intake.
Mental and Social Aspects: A daily, repetitive diet can lack the sensory enjoyment of solid foods and the social rituals surrounding meals, which could impact one's long-term relationship with food.

How to Incorporate Huel into Your Daily Diet

The key to long-term success is using Huel as a convenient supplement, not as a complete replacement for whole foods. Here are some strategies:

Start Slowly: Begin with one Huel meal per day for a week to allow your digestive system to adapt to the high fiber content.
Use for Convenience: Replace time-pressured meals like breakfast or lunch on busy weekdays. Save traditional meals for the evening and weekends.
Use as a Snack: Huel bars can be a satiating, 200-calorie snack to prevent impulse eating of less nutritious options.
Pair with Whole Foods: Blend Huel powder with frozen berries or spinach to increase the whole food nutrient density and add variety.
Stay Hydrated: Always drink plenty of water, as the high fiber content in Huel requires extra fluids to aid digestion.

Huel vs. Whole Foods: A Comparison


Feature	Daily Huel (Supplementing a Healthy Diet)	Daily Whole Foods (Balanced Diet)
Convenience	Excellent for busy schedules; quick and easy preparation.	Requires planning, shopping, and cooking; can be time-consuming.
Nutritional Profile	Guaranteed complete with a balanced mix of macro and micro-nutrients.	Offers a wider diversity of phytonutrients, antioxidants, and fiber.
Micronutrient Absorption	Added vitamins and minerals may not be absorbed as efficiently as those from natural, whole food sources.	Nutrients are often better absorbed due to synergistic effects with other compounds in the food.
Calorie Control	Very easy to track calories due to standardized servings.	Requires careful planning and portioning to manage intake effectively.
Digestive Impact	Can cause initial bloating or gas due to high fiber, but most bodies adjust.	High fiber intake from varied sources is generally beneficial for gut health.

Conclusion: The Final Verdict

So, should you drink Huel every day? Yes, you can, and it can be a highly effective and healthy choice when used strategically. It is safe for long-term use as part of a varied diet, offering a convenient, nutritionally complete option to replace one or two meals. However, relying exclusively on Huel, and forgoing whole foods, is not recommended due to potential nutrient gaps and the loss of essential digestive, social, and psychological aspects of eating. For most people, the optimal approach is to use Huel as a tool to enhance, rather than entirely replace, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and other whole foods. Start slowly, listen to your body, and enjoy both the efficiency of Huel and the richness of traditional meals.

Learn more about Huel and its recommended usage from the official site. https://uk.huel.com/pages/how-to-use

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Huel can be part of a healthy diet on a long-term basis. However, it is not recommended as a total food replacement, and should be used alongside a diet rich in whole foods.

Some users, particularly those new to Huel, may experience digestive issues such as gas, bloating, or altered bowel movements due to the high fiber content. These symptoms often subside as your body adjusts.

Huel can support weight loss due to its controlled calorie servings and high protein/fiber content, which helps with satiety. However, sustainable weight loss is achieved by maintaining a calorie deficit and developing healthy eating habits with whole foods.

For most people, replacing one or two meals a day with Huel is an effective strategy. It offers convenience while allowing you to still enjoy whole foods, which Huel's own guidance encourages.

While Huel is 'nutritionally complete' by providing 26 essential vitamins and minerals, whole foods contain a wider variety of beneficial compounds like phytochemicals and diverse fibers that Huel does not.

No, Huel does not recommend a 100% Huel diet for most people, even though it is technically possible. Eating whole foods is important for a healthy relationship with food and overall well-being.

Some users find the taste and texture can become repetitive over time. Mixing flavors or blending with other ingredients like fruit can help to add variety to your daily routine.