Why Huel Exists - Raw Data
Composition of Meals and Label Nutritional Information:
Food Label Comparison Data
| Nutrient | Huel Powder (400kcal) | Oatmeal, banana and honey (426kcal) | Chicken Bacon Club (400kcal) | Cheeseburger (292kcal) | Omnivore home-cooked meal (471kcal) | Vegan home-cooked meal (531kcal) |
| Fat (g) | 13.0 | 7.6 | 14.5 | 12.0 | 9.7 | 4.4 |
| Saturated Fat (g) | 2.3 | 3.3 | 3.4 | 5.8 | 1.5 | 0.6 |
| Added sugars (g) | 0.9 | 12.2 | 3.8 | 6.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Fiber (g) | 7.0 | 6.6 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 11.3 | 15.3 |
| Protein (g) | 29 | 14.4 | 21 | 15 | 45.7 | 21.8 |
| Sodium (mg) | 330 | 140 | 880 | 642 | 216 | 388 |
Huel Powder (v3.0) Vanilla
| Nutrient | Huel Powder v3.0 Vanilla |
| Energy (kcal) | 400 |
| Fat (g) | 13 |
| Saturates (g) | 2.3 |
| Added sugars (g) | 0.9 |
| Fiber (g) | 7.0 |
| Protein (g) | 29 |
| Sodium (mg) | 330 |
Oatmeal, banana and honey
| Nutrient | Oats (1.4oz) | Whole Milk (9floz) | Medium banana | Honey (1 tbsp) | Total |
| Energy (kcal) | 147 | 125 | 105 | 49 | 426 |
| Fat (g) | 3.1 | 4.5 | 0 | 0 | 7.6 |
| Saturates (g) | 0.5 | 2.8 | 0 | 0 | 3.3 |
| Added sugars (g) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12.2 | 12.2 |
| Fiber (g) | 3.6 | 0 | 3.0 | 0 | 6.6 |
| Protein (g) | 4.3 | 9.0 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 14.4 |
| Sodium (mg) | 0 | 100 | 0 | 40 | 140 |
Chicken Bacon Club
| Nutrient | Walmart |
| Energy (kcal) | 400 |
| Fat (g) | 15 |
| Saturates (g) | 4.5 |
| Added sugars (g) | 3.8 |
| Fiber (g) | 2.0 |
| Protein (g) | 21.0 |
| Sodium (mg) | 880 |
*Correct as of 02/16/21
Fast-food cheeseburger
| Nutrient | McDonald's | Burger King | Average |
| Energy (kcal) | 300 | 283 | 292 |
| Fat (g) | 13 | 13.1 | 13.1 |
| Saturates (g) | 6.0 | 5.8 | 5.9 |
| Added sugars (g) | 7 | 6.6 | 6.8 |
| Fiber (g) | 2 | 0.9 | 1.5 |
| Protein (g) | 15 | 14.8 | 14.9 |
| Sodium (mg) | 720 | 563 | 642 |
*Correct as of 02/16/21
Omnivore home-cooked meal
| Nutrient | Uncooked Chicken Breast (5.6oz) | Baked Sweet potato wedges (6.2oz) | Steamed Broccoli (2.8oz) | Lemon Juice (0.8oz - half a lemon) | Total |
| Energy (kcal) | 176 | 264 | 29 | 2 | 471 |
| Fat (g) | 2.6 | 6.8 | 0.3 | 0 | 9.7 |
| Saturates (g) | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0 | 0 | 1.5 |
| Added sugars (g) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fiber (g) | 0 | 9.1 | 2.1 | 0.1 | 11.3 |
| Protein (g) | 38.3 | 5.1 | 2.2 | 0.1 | 45.7 |
| Sodium (mg) | 68 | 120 | 28 | 0 | 216 |
Vegan home-cooked meal
| Nutrient | Brown rice (uncooked - 2.6oz) | Mixed chili beans (5.6oz) | Diced tomatoes (7oz) | Onion (half medium onion - 2.8oz) | Spinach (1oz) | Lemon Juice (0.8oz - half a lemon) | Total |
| Energy (kcal) | 269 | 178 | 44 | 33 | 2 | 6 | 532 |
| Fat (g) | 2.4 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0 | 0.2 | 4.4 |
| Saturates (g) | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.6 |
| Added sugars (g) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fiber (g) | 2.7 | 8.8 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 15.3 |
| Protein (g) | 5.9 | 12 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.8 | 21.8 |
| Sodium (mg) | 0 | 376 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 388 |
Vitamin and Mineral Comparison
All values, except for Huel Powder v3.0 Vanilla, were obtained using NutriCalc® nutrition software. Huel Powder v3.0 Vanilla values were obtained from the Huel website.
Vitamin Comparison Data
| Vitamin | Huel Powder (400kcal) | Oatmeal, banana and honey (426kcal) | Chicken Bacon Club (400kcal) | Cheeseburger (292kcal) | Omnivore home-cooked meal (471kcal) | Vegan home-cooked meal (531kcal) |
| Vitamin C (mg) | 60 | 10 | 0 | 12 | 88 | 41 |
| Vitamin D (μg) | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vitamin B12 (μg) | 0.8 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 0 |
Mineral Comparison Data
| Mineral | Huel Powder (400kcal) | Oatmeal, banana and honey (426kcal) | Chicken Bacon Club (400kcal) | Cheeseburger (292kcal) | Omnivore home-cooked meal (471kcal) | Vegan home-cooked meal (531kcal) |
| Iron (mg) | 8 | 2.3 | 1.6 | 3.1 | 2.9 | 5.2 |
| Calcium (mg) | 260 | 311 | 128 | 101 | 100 | 186 |
| Magnesium (mg) | 90 | 128 | 43 | 24 | 128 | 183 |
| Potassium (mg) | 700 | 931 | 499 | 196 | 2061 | 1397 |
Huel Powder v3.0 Vanilla
| Nutrient | Amount per serving | Daily Value (DV) | (Amount/RDA)*100 |
| Vitamin C (mg) | 60.0 | 90 | 67 |
| Vitamin D (μg) | 4.0 | 20 | 20 |
| Vitamin B12 (μg) | 0.8 | 2.4 | 33 |
| Iron (mg) | 7.8 | 18 | 44 |
| Calcium (mg) | 260.0 | 1300 | 20 |
| Magnesium (mg) | 90.0 | 420 | 21 |
| Potassium (mg) | 700.0 | 4700 | 15 |
| Protein (g) | 29.0 | 50 | 58 |
| Fiber (g) | 7.0 | 28 | 25 |
Oatmeal, banana and honey
| Nutrient | Oats (1.4oz) | Whole Milk (9floz) | Medium Banana | Honey (1 tbsp) | Total |
| Vitamin C (mg) | 0 | 0 | 10.27 | 0.08 | 10.4 |
| Vitamin D (μg) | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Vitamin B12 (μg) | 0 | 1.1 | 0 | 0 | 1.1 |
| Iron (mg) | 1.9 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 2.3 |
| Calcium (mg) | 21.6 | 283.0 | 5.9 | 0.9 | 311.4 |
| Magnesium (mg) | 70.8 | 25.0 | 31.9 | 0.3 | 128.0 |
| Potassium (mg) | 171.6 | 330.0 | 422.0 | 7.8 | 931.4 |
| Nutrient | Amount per serving | Daily Value (DV) | (Amount/RDA)*100 |
| Vitamin C (mg) | 10.4 | 90 | 11 |
| Vitamin D (μg) | 5 | 20 | 25 |
| Vitamin B12 (μg) | 1.1 | 2.4 | 46 |
| Iron (mg) | 2.3 | 18 | 13 |
| Calcium (mg) | 311.4 | 1300 | 24 |
| Magnesium (mg) | 128.0 | 420 | 30 |
| Potassium (mg) | 931.4 | 4700 | 20 |
| Protein (g) | 14.4 | 50 | 29 |
| Fiber (g) | 6.6 | 28 | 24 |
Chicken Bacon Club (400kcal)
| Nutrient | Deli sliced chicken breast (60g) | Bacon rashers (x2 rashers/60g) | White bread (78g - 2 slices) | Mayonnaise (15g) | Total |
| Vitamin C (mg) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vitamin D (μg) | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 | 0.2 |
| Vitamin B12 (μg) | 0.1 | 0.6 | 0 | 0.1 | 0.7 |
| Iron (mg) | 0.2 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 0 | 1.6 |
| Calcium (mg) | 6.6 | 3.0 | 118 | 0.3 | 127.9 |
| Magnesium (mg) | 15.6 | 10.2 | 16.7 | 0 | 42.5 |
| Potassium (mg) | 216.0 | 180.0 | 102.0 | 0.6 | 498.6 |
| Nutrient | Amount per serving | Daily Value (DV) | (Amount/RDA)*100 |
| Vitamin C (mg) | 0 | 90 | 0 |
| Vitamin D (μg) | 0.2 | 20 | 1 |
| Vitamin B12 (μg) | 0.7 | 2.4 | 29 |
| Iron (mg) | 1.6 | 18 | 9 |
| Calcium (mg) | 127.9 | 1300 | 10 |
| Magnesium (mg) | 42.5 | 420 | 10 |
| Potassium (mg) | 498.6 | 4700 | 11 |
| Protein (g) | 21 | 50 | 42 |
| Fiber (g) | 2.0 | 28 | 7 |
Cheeseburger (NutriCalc® input: Fast Foods, Cheeseburger; Single, Regular Patty, With Condiments and vegetables (110g)
| Nutrient | Amount per serving | Daily Value (DV) | (Amount/RDA)*100 |
| Vitamin C (mg) | 0.7 | 90 | 1 |
| Vitamin D (μg) | 0.1 | 20 | 1 |
| Vitamin B12 (μg) | 1.4 | 2.4 | 58 |
| Iron (mg) | 3.1 | 18 | 17 |
| Calcium (mg) | 101.0 | 1300 | 8 |
| Magnesium (mg) | 24.0 | 420 | 6 |
| Potassium (mg) | 195.6 | 4700 | 4 |
| Protein (g) | 15.0 | 50 | 30 |
| Fiber (g) | 1.5 | 28 | 5 |
Omnivore home-cooked meal
| Nutrient | Uncooked Chicken Breast (5.6oz) | Baked Sweet potato wedges (6.2oz) | Steamed Broccoli (2.8oz) | Lemon Juice (0.8oz - half a lemon) | Total |
| Vitamin C (mg) | 0 | 8.8 | 71.4 | 7.9 | 88.1 |
| Vitamin D (μg) | 0.4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.4 |
| Vitamin B12 (μg) | 0.3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.3 |
| Iron (mg) | 0.5 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 0 | 2.9 |
| Calcium (mg) | 7.0 | 53.0 | 38.0 | 1.5 | 99.5 |
| Magnesium (mg) | 43.0 | 66.5 | 17.0 | 1.5 | 128.0 |
| Potassium (mg) | 552.0 | 1227.0 | 253.0 | 29.0 | 2061.0 |
| Nutrient | Amount per serving | Daily Value (DV) | (Amount/RDA)*100 |
| Vitamin C (mg) | 88.1 | 90 | 98 |
| Vitamin D (μg) | 0.4 | 20 | 2 |
| Vitamin B12 (μg) | 0.3 | 2.4 | 13 |
| Iron (mg) | 2.9 | 18 | 16 |
| Calcium (mg) | 99.5 | 1300 | 8 |
| Magnesium (mg) | 128.0 | 420 | 30 |
| Potassium (mg) | 2061.0 | 4700 | 44 |
| Protein (g) | 45.7 | 50 | 91 |
| Fiber (g) | 11.3 | 28 | 40 |
Vegan home-cooked meal
| Nutrient | Brown rice (uncooked - 2.6oz) | Mixed chili beans (5.6oz) | Diced tomatoes (7oz) | Onion (half medium onion - 2.8oz) | Spinach (1oz) | Lemon Juice (0.8oz - half a lemon) | Total |
| Vitamin C (mg) | 0 | 0.2 | 22.0 | 2.4 | 8.7 | 7.9 | 41.2 |
| Vitamin D (μg) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vitamin B12 (μg) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Iron (mg) | 1.0 | 2.3 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0 | 5.2 |
| Calcium (mg) | 6.8 | 96.0 | 22.0 | 24.0 | 35.7 | 1.5 | 186.0 |
| Magnesium (mg) | 87.0 | 49.6 | 20.0 | 0.64 | 24.0 | 1.5 | 182.7 |
| Potassium (mg) | 188.0 | 441.0 | 424.0 | 110.0 | 205.0 | 29.0 | 1397.0 |
| Nutrient | Amount per serving | Daily Value (DV) | (Amount/RDA)*100 |
| Vitamin C (mg) | 41.2 | 90 | 46 |
| Vitamin D (μg) | 0 | 20 | 0 |
| Vitamin B12 (μg) | 0 | 2.4 | 0 |
| Iron (mg) | 5.2 | 18 | 29 |
| Calcium (mg) | 186.0 | 1300 | 14 |
| Magnesium (mg) | 182.7 | 420 | 44 |
| Potassium (mg) | 1397.0 | 4700 | 30 |
| Protein (g) | 21.8 | 50 | 44 |
| Fiber (g) | 15.3 | 28 | 55 |
Carbon Footprint Comparison
The home-cooked meals’ carbon footprint was calculated using the University of Michigan’s database of Food Impacts on the Environment for Linking to Diets (dataFIELD). dataFIELD can be found here.
Carbon Footprint Comparison Data
| Meal | Huel Powder | Oatmeal, banana and honey | Chicken Bacon Club | Cheeseburger | Omnivore home-cooked meal | Vegan home-cooked meal |
| CO2e (g) | 608 | 600 | 1030 | 2672 | 795 | 336 |
Omnivore home-cooked meal
| Food | Chicken, meat (160g)* | Sweet potato (175g) | Broccoli (80g) | Lemon Juice (22g) | Total |
| CO2e (g) | 671 | 53 | 64 | 7 | 795 |
*Assumes 25% reduction in chicken weight during cooking
Vegan home-cooked meal
| Food | Brown rice (75g) | Pinto beans (80g) | Red kidney beans (80g) | Tomatoes (200g) | Onion (80g) | Lemon Juice (22g) | Spinach (30g) | Total |
| CO2e (g) | 155 | 25 | 25 | 94 | 21 | 7 | 9 | 336 |
Price Comparison
All prices are correct as of 02/16/21.
The price of a Huel meal is based on a 2 pouch subscription order.
The price of the other meals is calculated using the Walmart.
Where multiple ingredients are required meals were based on cooking for two people where possible.
Price Comparison Data
| Meal | Huel Powder | Oatmeal, banana and honey | Chicken Bacon Club | Cheeseburger | Omnivore home-cooked meal | Vegan home-cooked meal |
| Price ($) | 1.91 | 0.62 | 2.98 | 1.00 | 1.98 | 1.49 |
Oatmeal, banana and honey
| Oats (1.4oz) | Whole Milk (9floz) | Medium Banana | Honey (1 tbsp) | Total | |
| Walmart | 0.09 | 0.17 | 0.22 | 0.14 | 0.62 |
| Size of product | 42oz | 1 gallon | 1 individual banana | Average sized squeezy honey pot |
Cheeseburger
| Fast-Food Chain | Price ($) |
| McDonald's | 1.00 |
| Burger King | 1.00 |
| Average | 1.00 |
Omnivore home-cooked meal
| Uncooked Chicken Breast (5.6oz) | Baked Sweet potato wedges (6.2oz) | Steamed Broccoli (2.8oz) | Lemon Juice (0.8oz - half a lemon) | Total | |
| Walmart | 1.04 | 0.46 | 0.26 | 0.22 | 1.98 |
| Size of product | 2.5lb | 1 loose potato | 1 loose floret | 1 loose lemon |
*Assumes 25% reduction in chicken weight during cooking
Vegan home-cooked meal
| Brown rice (uncooked - 2.6oz) | Mixed chili beans (5.6oz) | Diced tomatoes (7oz) | Onion (half medium onion - 2.8oz) | Spinach (1oz) | Lemon Juice (0.8oz - half a lemon) | Total | |
| Walmart | 0.12 | 0.27 | 0.22 | 0.35 | 0.31 | 0.22 | 1.49 |
| Size of product | 16oz | 15oz can | 15oz can | 1 loose onion | 6oz bag | 1 loose lemon |
Convenience Comparison
Convenience Comparison Data
| Meal | Huel Powder | Oatmeal, banana and honey | Chicken Bacon Club | Cheeseburger | Omnivore home-cooked meal | Vegan home-cooked meal |
| Time (Minutes) | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 30 |
| Description | 30 seconds to measure water to fill line, scoop in 2 scoops of powder and shake | 1 minute to measure Oatmeal and milk | Based on time to chop and cook sweet potatoes in the oven. Chicken and broccoli can be prepared in the time taken for sweet potatoes to cook. | Based on time to weigh and cook brown rice. Rest of the ingredients are prepared in the time taken for rice to cook. |
Ranking Comparison
Ranking Comparison Data
| Ranking Points | Huel Powder | Oatmeal, banana and honey | Chicken Bacon Club | Cheeseburger | Omnivore home-cooked meal | Vegan home-cooked meal |
| Macronutrients | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Vitamins and Minerals | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Sustainability | 4 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 |
| Price | 3 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 4 |
| Convenience | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 2 |
| Total | 22 | 19 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 20 |
The higher the total score relative to the other meals the higher the ranking.
| Huel Powder | Oatmeal, banana and honey | Chicken Bacon Club | Cheeseburger | Omnivore home-cooked meal | Vegan home-cooked meal | |
| Saturates | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Sugars | 6 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Fiber | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Protein | 5 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Salt | 4 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Total | 23 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 23 | 21 |
*Fat was not included because higher/lower quantities of fat do not infer much about the nutritionally quality of a food, unlike fiber or salt.
Higher fiber and protein values are given higher scores and higher saturates, sugars and salt values are given lower scores.
Vitamins and Minerals
| Huel Powder | Oatmeal, banana and honey | Chicken Bacon Club | Cheeseburger | Omnivore home-cooked meal | Vegan home-cooked meal | |
| Vitamin C (mg) | 5 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Vitamin D (μg) | 6 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 1 |
| Vitamin B12 (μg) | 4 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 1 |
| Iron (mg) | 6 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 5 |
| Calcium (mg) | 5 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Magnesium (mg) | 3 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 6 |
| Potassium (mg) | 3 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Total | 32 | 25 | 16 | 18 | 27 | 26 |
Higher vitamin and mineral values are given higher scores.
Carbon Footprint
| Huel Powder | Oatmeal, banana and honey | Chicken Bacon Club | Cheeseburger | Omnivore home-cooked meal | Vegan home-cooked meal | |
| Ranking | 4 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 |
Lower CO2e are given higher scores.
Price
| Huel Powder | Oatmeal, banana and honey | Chicken Bacon Club | Cheeseburger | Omnivore home-cooked meal | Vegan home-cooked meal | |
| Ranking | 3 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 4 |
Cheaper prices are given higher scores.
Convenience
| Huel Powder | Oatmeal, banana and honey | Chicken Bacon Club | Cheeseburger | Omnivore home-cooked meal | Vegan home-cooked meal | |
| Ranking | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 2 |
Quicker preparation times are given higher scores.
