Comparison to Jimmy Joy (Plenny)

Huel and Jimmy Joy have the same overall goal; to provide nutritious, affordable food with minimal impact on the environment. How this is achieved varies between the two and this article has been written to help highlight those differences. Which you prefer is entirely your choice.

This is a fact-based comparison looking at categories such as nutrition and price. We haven’t compared subjective factors such as taste or texture, as they are personal to you.

Huel Powder v3.1 compared

*Correct as of 07/11/23. Price calculated on subscription (if available) for a minimum order, not including delivery.

Macronutrients

Both Huel Powder v3.1 and Jimmy Joy have a protein content above the Daily Value (DV). This is because protein has several positives, such as being utilized to build and repair tissues[2]. However, Huel Powder v3.1 contains 50% more protein compared to Jimmy Joy. You can find out more about protein in our article Guide to Protein Quality, Digestion and Absorption.

Both Huel Powder v3.1 and Jimmy Joy use flaxseed and sunflower oil as the main fat sources. However, Huel Powder v3.1 has a better omega-3:omega-6 ratio of less than 1:1 compared to around 1:7.7 for Jimmy Joy[3]. Huel Powder v3.1 also contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) from coconut. MCTs are a type of saturated fat that are metabolized differently to the more common long-chain triglycerides, and so have additional benefits such as being an immediate source of energy[4].

Huel Powder v3.1 doesn’t use maltodextrin as a carbohydrate source because oats and flaxseed have multiple advantages over maltodextrin. Such benefits include a low glycemic index and a naturally high fiber content. Fiber has several benefits including favorable effects on the gut microbiota and digestion[5][6]. Additionally, oats and flaxseed provide a significant source of micronutrients. As a result, a large proportion of the vitamins and minerals in Huel Powder v3.1 are from the main ingredients or naturally occurring, rather than being added. For example, 100% of the zinc and magnesium in Huel Powder v3.1 is naturally occurring, derived from the six main ingredients.

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Vitamins & Minerals

Where vitamins and minerals have been added to Huel Powder v3.1, the highest-quality form of each micronutrient that is available is chosen. For example, calcium is used as a source of folate while most competitors use folic acid, Calcium is 1000 times more expensive, but the bioavailability is higher[7]. It’s not clear which form is used by Jimmy Joy as this is not declared. All the micronutrient forms used in Huel Products are shown to provide transparency, an important aspect for Hueligans. You can find out more about the vitamins and minerals in our article About the Vitamins & Minerals in Huel.

Huel Powder v3.1 was produced with the US FDA DVs in mind, while the Jimmy Joy formula was made to match the EU Daily Recommended Amounts (RDA). This means that Jimmy Joy doesn't meet the FDA's DVs, most notably the required amounts for folate, and calcium. A consensus on the optimum amount of each micronutrient differs between experts but it’s an important consideration.

A good example of where the guidelines have been stepped away from with Huel Powder v3.1 is vitamin C. It’s widely considered that the amount of vitamin C we’re recommended to consume is too low[8], so this has been reflected in the Huel Powder v3.1 formula. The benefits of consuming more vitamin C include a healthy immune system, healthy skin and antioxidant properties[8]. A higher vitamin C content also accounts for the interaction with antinutrients such as phytic acid and increases the bioavailability of iron, which you can find out more about here.

Additional Nutrients

As a significant percentage of Huel Powder v3.1 is made up of oats and flaxseed there are several phytonutrients that are naturally present. Phytonutrients are substances that are found in certain plants and are beneficial to health. Extra phytonutrients such as lutein have also been added to Huel Powder v3.1 as there is evidence that they can reduce the risk of developing several diseases[9]. Further information on the phytonutrients in Huel Products can be found here.

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Summary

We have done the easy bit, it’s now over to you to decide on which product suits you best. We encourage you to try Huel, as well as the other products on the market so you can see which one aligns closely with your priorities, from nutrition to sustainability.

Ready to try Huel? Check out our product range.

References

1. Jimmy Joy. Plenny Shake Vanilla. Date Accessed: 10/01/20.
2. Wu G. Dietary protein intake and human health. Food Funct. 2016; 7(3):1251-65.
3. Simopoulos AP. The importance of the ratio of omega-6/omega-3 essential fatty acids. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedicine & pharmacotherapie. 2002; 56(8):365-79.
4. Schonfeld P, et al. Short- and medium-chain fatty acids in energy metabolism: the cellular perspective. J Lipid Res. 2016; 57(6):943-54.
5. Anderson JW, et al. Health benefits of dietary fiber. Nutr Rev. 2009; 67(4):188-205.
6. Kaczmarczyk MM, et al. The health benefits of dietary fiber: beyond the usual suspects of type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and colon cancer. Metabolism. 2012; 61(8):1058-66.
7. Scaglione F, et al. Folate, folic acid and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate are not the same thing. Xenobiotica. 2014; 44(5):480-8.
8. Frei B, et al. Authors' perspective: What is the optimum intake of vitamin C in humans? Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2012; 52(9):815-29.
9. Zhang YJ, et al. Antioxidant Phytochemicals for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Diseases. Molecules. 2015; 20(12):21138-56.
10. Jimmy Joy. Plenny Drink Vanilla. Date Accessed: 10/01/20.
11. Wu G. Dietary protein intake and human health. Food Funct. 2016; 7(3):1251-65.