What makes Huel different from competitors?
Huel is nutritionally complete, affordable, sustainable, and convenient food. It is our mission, after all. But, with emerging names and competitor products coming to light, why should you choose Huel?
It can be hard to break down the differences between competitors, so let’s highlight the top 5 reasons why we think Huel should be your first choice.
Customer support
We genuinely care about our Hueligans and the support they receive when they talk to us, so a high-quality customer experience is extra important to us.
We are real people behind the screens who love what we do. Say goodbye to automated replies by a bot and hello to genuine, personalized responses. It might sound cheesy, but we grow up with our parents saying ‘treat others how you would want to be treated’. Within Huel Customer Experience, we apply this exact principle to our daily ‘work’.
There are so many different ways to reach out to us, depending on what suits you (and don’t worry, no question is silly, and we can reassure you that if you don’t ask it, someone else will!):
✓ Phone
✓ Multiple social platforms
We aim to be super speedy and get back to you as soon as possible. Something that we are also proud of is our delivery times; we aim to deliver all orders within 3-6 business days!
Community
It comes up all the time, but we truly are an extended family here. We are so proud of the community of Hueligans and the environment that Huel has created!
✓ We love to engage with you all: be that sassy comments on our social media channels, lengthy discussions on our forum (check out our forum if you haven’t already), feedback on personal journeys on Reddit, or simply just a chat on one of our live channels, such as the phone.
✓ We listen to suggestions: We constantly work to improve our products in the background, and we appreciate your feedback. Some of the most popular and suggestions we have received include a Banana RTD, a savory range, and higher protein powder (Black Edition). We have taken these suggestions on board and made them a reality!
✓ Support from the wider Huel team: It isn’t just the Customer Experience team at the forefront; the customer-first mindset spreads throughout the larger team. For example, we may not have an answer straight away for you, but we have a team of qualified nutritionists who are always happy to help.
All of these simple factors play a big part in the community feel!
Nutrition First
Nutrition first, taste a close second - it’s what we stand by.
A substantial amount of convenience food brands put taste first, and nutrition is the afterthought. At Huel, we prioritize the very reason we need food in the first place; the nutrition team are key in decision-making (oh, and we actually have one).
Just a heads up, we have many more articles on the site that provide more detail beyond just product details; we think it’s important to educate Hueligans in the right way!
Here are just some of the reasons why Huel takes gold over our competitors:
✓ Whole ingredients: The main ingredients in Huel products are often in their whole form; this means Huel contains a much larger proportion of whole ingredients than competitors use. For example, oats and flaxseed are used in the Huel Powders over maltodextrin and isomaltulose.
✓ Fatty acid profile: Huel is high in omega-3 fats, mainly from flaxseed. The amount of omega-3 fats is also stated on every Huel nutritional label. If a company is missing this, you’re probably not getting enough.
✓ Phytonutrients: Simply put, these compounds are produced by plants. Huel is made from oats and flaxseed, amongst other whole ingredients rich in naturally occurring phytonutrients. Not forgetting the phytonutrients we add too, lycopene (gives the red color to tomatoes), lutein, and zeaxanthin (gives orange-yellow colors to fruits and vegetables).
✓ Protein: While Huel is vegan we use both rice and pea protein so that each product contains all the protein that we need, while ensuring that it can be absorbed effectively!
✓ Probiotics: Huel contains the probiotic Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856. There’s no need to worry as it has been proven safe for consumption and stable during processing and shelf-life.
✓ Vitamin & mineral blend: Huel contains all of the 27 essential vitamins and minerals! We also want to highlight that we have made sure that the additional vitamins and minerals are high quality and in the most available format. A simple example of how we differ from our competitors is that we use an expensive form of vitamin B9 (folate) because the body can absorb it more effectively.
No Allergens
We want Huel to be accessible to as many people as possible. Check out just a few ways we turn our words into action.
✓ Vegan: All Huel products are 100% vegan and are therefore free from dairy (& lactose!).
✓ Gluten-free: Many of our products are gluten-free such as Huel Black Edition, Daily Greens, and select Instant Meals flavors. Look out for the 'Gluten-free' tag on the flavor options in Build Your Own Bundle for confirmation which products meet GF standard
✖ No nuts: Don't worry, *almost* all of our products do not contain nuts. Our Complete Nutrition Bars are the exception which contain peanuts and manufactured in a facility that handles nuts.
✓ Suitable for Type 1 and 2 Diabetics: Huel is low in sugar, has a low GI of 16 (v3.0), and you can accurately measure the amount of carbohydrates you're consuming in each meal.
✓ Low FODMAP: Huel Powder v3.0 and Black Edition are low FODMAP. This means that they can be used alongside a low FODMAP diet.
Your way not our way
The good news is that Huel is very versatile; there isn’t one set way to have Huel.
Any of our products could be right for you depending on your needs. You might even choose to use a mix if you’re looking for variety. Another great thing about the Huel product range is that the core (v3.0) and Black Edition powders provide flexible macronutrient profiles. Unlike some of our competitors, there is so much to choose from, you can have a different product or flavor every day of the week if you wish!
To help by showing you, here’s an example day:
- Breakfast: v3.0 banana powder, blended with almond milk, ice and a teaspoon of honey (trust us, it’s delicious).
- Lunch: 1 and a half scoops of Mexican Chilli Instant Meals.
- Snack: A peanut caramel or chocolate caramel Complete Nutrition Bar and a piece of fruit.
- Dinner: A home-cooked meal.
Huel can also align with your individual goals, here are a few that might resonate with you:
✓ Weight loss: We often receive great feedback on Huel aiding weight loss journeys. Huel is great for monitoring your calorie intake and can make it easier to stick to your plan (which we all know is the hard part). Another common message we receive is - ‘I can’t believe how full I feel after Huel’. The combination of the complex carbohydrates, high fiber and protein used in Huel Powder help keep you satiated (and avoid the appealing cookie jar).
✓ Get fit: Quite simply, when exercising, you are putting your body under physical stress, so in return, your body demands more fuel. Whatever regime you follow, we know that it can be challenging to get the requirements right. Huel does this for you, providing a balance of protein, carbohydrates, fat, and all 27 essential vitamins and minerals.
✓ Intermittent fasting: As we know, intermittent fasting is all about when you eat, but you still need to make sure that you are maintaining a balanced diet during the ‘eating periods’. Huel helps as it is nutritionally balanced, and you know exactly how many calories you are consuming, which helps you stick to your calorie goals if you have them.
✓ Increasing your plant-based food intake: For some people, using Huel is a way of taking that small step towards having a more positive footprint on the world around them. We aren’t suggesting that we all become vegans, but even many small changes can add up to a big impact.
Summary
So there we have it, the top 5 reasons why Huel stands out from the crowd. By choosing Huel, you receive nutritionally complete, balanced food, while also helping the environment and saving money too.
Need some help choosing between Huel products? We've got you covered.