The Huel Ready-to-drink Formula Explained
Huel Ready-to-drink is a nutritionally complete meal in a bottle. It is high in protein, a source of fibre, low in sugar and salt and supplies all 26 essential vitamins and minerals.
Additionally, it contains no animal-derived products and is non-GMO.
Huel Ready-to-drink meets the UK and EU Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI), Reference Intake (RI) and Nutrient Reference Value (NRV) for macro- and all micronutrients [1,2,3].
Continue reading to find out more about Huel Ready-to-drink.
Huel Ready-to-drink is 35:42:20:3 Macro Split
The principle macronutrients that we obtain energy from food are carbohydrate, fat, protein, and fibre. In Ready-to-drink, we’ve set them at the ratio of 35:42:20:3; i.e. 35% of the energy comes from carbohydrates, 42% from fats, 20% from proteins and 3% from fibre.
Amino acids are the most basic units of protein, and several amino acids are essential for life, with others being crucial for good health, so any diet should include a significant amount of protein.
There are also fatty acids that are essential for life and good health, so including sources of fat is crucial too. Fat is more energy-dense than carbohydrate and protein, so the Huel Ready-to-drink formula includes large amounts of healthy fats in order to achieve less volume and an easy-to-consume Huel meal in a bottle.
Carbohydrates, although not essential per se, are our body’s preferred source of energy and therefore have significant benefits to ensuring sustained and consistent energy levels.
We’ve designed Huel Ready-to-drink at these ratios as they are not only within the parameters of the healthy eating guidelines but are also levels designed for optimum, sustained energy release whilst covering macronutritional requirements for disease prevention.
Carbohydrate in Huel Ready-to-drink
The carbs in Huel Ready-to-drink are mainly from ultra-fine powdered oats, brown rice flour and tapioca starch. Oats have been shown to have a low glycaemic index (GI). GI refers to the rate after which we ingest a carb source to the resulting rise in blood sugar and, hence, energy levels [4]. The oats in Huel Ready-to-drink mix easily and help sustain energy levels until your next meal. Oats also provide so much more than just carbohydrates: many vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients too.
Brown rice flour provides carbs, protein and other nutrients. Tapioca is a starch extracted from cassava, a root vegetable similar to sweet potato. Its inclusion in Huel Ready-to-drink provides additional carbohydrates and aids texture.
In select flavours that are sweetened with stevia, we’ve used a small amount of organic coconut sugar to compliment the natural sweetener stevia to deliver a subtle sweet taste. The inclusion of coconut sugar is at a low level.
Fat in Huel Ready-to-drink
The fat in Huel Ready-to-drink provides 42% of the total energy and is made up from rapeseed oil and flaxseed to ensure that the essential fatty acids are included in optimum amounts with Huel Ready-to-drink being rich in monounsaturates, omega-3s and omega-6s. to ensure that essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are in optimal ratios. We’ve also included medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) from coconut. MCTs are treated much like carbs, i.e. they provide an energy-rich, sustained fuel and are perfect for those of us with busy lifestyles [5]. In short, MCTs from coconut are a healthy and efficient source of energy. Read more about MCTs here.
Essential nutrients can not be made by the body so must be obtained from the diet. There are two completely essential fatty acids (EFAs) that humans require: linoleic acid (LA – an omega-6 fatty acid) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA – an omega-3 fatty acid) [6]. Using a blend of flaxseed and sunflower oil powder, we’ve ensured Huel Powder contains sufficient amounts of both of these EFAs as well as other omega-3 and -6 fatty acids.
Huel Ready-to-drink is High in Protein
The RI for protein is 50g per day, but this only covers our very basic needs and prevents protein deficiency [1,2,3]. The Western diet typically provides more [7], and Huel Ready-to-drink does too. All essential amino acids (the building blocks of protein) are included in adequate amounts from two vegan protein sources: pea and brown rice protein. A reference intake of 2,000 calories would supply 100g of protein. This is an adequate amount for good health as well as building and maintaining muscle mass. Furthermore, protein is more satiating (filling) than other macronutrients [8].
Amino acid profile of Huel Ready-to-drink
Protein is made up of amino acids. There are over 500 amino acids in nature, 20 of which are known as the standard amino acids, as these are the ones that are coded for genetically and are subsequently involved in primary protein synthesis in animals. Of these 20, nine are essential as they cannot be synthesised from other amino acids.
The nine essential amino acids are:
Histidine
Isoleucine
Leucine
Lysine
Methionine
Phenylalanine
Threonine
Tryptophan
Valine
The other 11 are:
Alanine
Arginine
Asparagine
Aspartic acid
Cysteine
Glutamine
Glutamic acid
Glycine
Proline
Serine
Tyrosine
All protein sources are not equal: some are classed as ‘complete proteins’ and some are not. A complete protein is one that contains sufficient quantities of all nine essential amino acids. Generally, proteins derived from animal foods are complete. Indeed, some proteins derived from plant foods are often complete as well; examples include quinoa, buckwheat and soya. Many plant foods have insufficient amounts or one or more of the essential amino acids.
Rice protein is high in the sulphur-containing amino acids cysteine and methionine, plus it contains good amounts of all the others, but is very low in lysine. Pea protein is low in cysteine and methionine but high in lysine. Combining ingredients ensures everything is covered whilst keeping Huel Ready-to-drink plant-based.
Fibre in Huel Ready-to-drink
Huel Ready-to-drink contains 20-27% of the recommended daily amount of fibre per bottle. The fibre in Huel Ready-to-drink is a mixture of soluble and insoluble forms all naturally supplied from oats, flaxseed and soluble vegetable fibre. This fibre content helps to ensure the formation of normal, solid stools, keeping everything running smoothly in healthy individuals.
Fibre acts like a sponge, so it’s important to consume lots of water when using Huel Ready-to-drink [9]. The Huel Ready-to-drink formula has been designed to support a healthy digestive system. Moreover, you may well have heard about the beneficial soluble fibre in oats called beta-glucan. Huel Ready-to-drink is loaded with this cholesterol-lowering fibre, which in turn may support heart health [10].
Vitamins & Minerals in Huel Ready-to-drink
A bulk of the vitamins and minerals – also known as micronutrients – in Huel Ready-to-drink are from natural ingredients. There have been numerous studies in the past 20 years demonstrating that, for many micronutrients, levels higher than the daily reference intakes (RIs) may have beneficial effects to health.
For example, it’s widely considered that the amount of vitamin C we’re recommended to consume is too low [11,12,13], so we've reflected this in the Huel Ready-to-drink formula. Benefits of consuming more vitamin C include a healthy immune system, healthy skin and antioxidant properties [12,13,14].
With some of the trace elements, the levels are far higher than the recommended amounts. This is because we only need tiny amounts of them, but the natural ingredients in Huel ready-to-drink are a rich source.
Choline is a conditionally essential B vitamin, and although, strictly speaking, it can be synthesised in our bodies, it’s more efficient to obtain it from our diets [15]. It’s of particular importance post menopause [16,17]. As Huel Ready-to-drink is all about optimum health, the inclusion of choline was felt to be fundamental.
Another example is vitamin D: the RNI was 5mcg per day, but in 2016 this was revised to 10mcg per day [18], so the amount of vitamin D in Huel Ready-to-drink more than reflects this higher requirement.
There has been some concern about phytic acid: a naturally occurring substance in plant foods like flaxseed. Phytic acid can chelate (bind to) some minerals, meaning that they are less bioavailable [19]. As flaxseed is a large contributor to the nutrition of Huel Ready-to-drink, we've ensured that there are adequate levels of some minerals, like iron and zinc, to accommodate any issues with phytic acid chelation. The high level of vitamin C in Huel Ready-to-drink further promotes iron absorption [20].
Ingredients & Nutritional Information
Huel Ready-to-drink Cautions and Allergen Advice
Huel Ready-to-drink is suitable for people with most conditions. However, as some conditions require dietary intervention, like with any food, please heed the notes below for the following conditions:
Diabetes mellitus: For those with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, please review the carbohydrate, sugar and other nutrition facts for Huel Ready-to-drink to see if it is suitable for your needs.
Coeliac disease and other gluten sensitivities: Huel Ready-to-drink is gluten-free and is made with no gluten-containing ingredients.
Inborn errors of metabolism: if you have a glycogen storage disorder (GSD) or other inborn error of metabolism where you require dietary manipulation, you should consult your doctor or specialist clinician before using Huel Ready-to-drink.
Phenylketonuria: Huel Ready-to-drink is not suitable for those who suffer from PKU.
IBS, IBD and related conditions: Huel Ready-to-drink is not low-FODMAP.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Huel Ready-to-drink can be included during pregnancy and breastfeeding, but should be limited to one serving per day as there are different nutritional requirements during this period.
Children: Huel Ready-to-drink is not suitable for children under 4 years of age. However, older children may include Ready-to-drink as part of a balanced diet that includes a variety of other foods; Huel should not be their sole source of nutrition as they have different nutritional requirements to adults. For more information, see our Children, Adolescents and Huel article.
Eating disorders: Huel Ready-to-drink may be consumed by individuals with eating disorders as a useful source of complete nutrition if it is an appropriate fit for their current meal plan. However, we recommend that individuals with eating disorders only use Huel after discussing it with their doctor or relevant clinician.
Medication: There may be specific drug-nutrient interactions relating to a particular medicine you're using, so we recommend you read the drug information provided with your prescription, and if you have any further concerns, please discuss them with your doctor.
Allergen Advice
All Huel products are vegan. We thoroughly assess our ingredients and the processes we use to make Huel and whenever we identify potential routes of allergen contamination we will first take steps to eliminate the possibility of any contamination of our product. However, where it is not possible to remove the risk we will clearly highlight any allergens that might be present on our product packaging in line with current UK and EU food safety guidelines.
However, we recognise that individuals can have allergies to any protein in any ingredient therefore if you have a specific allergy that is outside of the remit above, please contact us directly and we will do our best to guide you on which products are suitable.
References
COMA. Dietary reference values for food energy and nutrients for the United Kingdom. Report of the Panel on Dietary Reference Values of the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy. Rep Health Soc Subj (Lond). 1991; 41:1-210.
Food Drink Europe. Guidance on the Provision of Food Information to Consumers Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011 2013.
British Nutrition Foundation. Nutrition Requirements Revised 2019 [Available from https://www.nutrition.org.uk/attachments/article/261/Nutrition%20Requirements_Revised%20August%202019.pdf].
Foster-Powell K, et al. International table of glycemic index and glycemic load values: 2002. Am J Clin Nutr. 2002; 76(1):5-56.
Marten B, et al. Medium-chain triglycerides. Int Dairy J. 2006; 16(11):1374-82.
Linus Pauling Institute. Essential Fatty Acids [Available from https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/other-nutrients/essential-fatty-acids].
Cordain L, et al. Origins and evolution of the Western diet: health implications for the 21st century. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005; 81(2):341-54.
Weigle DS, et al. A high-protein diet induces sustained reductions in appetite, ad libitum caloric intake, and body weight despite compensatory changes in diurnal plasma leptin and ghrelin concentrations. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005; 82(1):41-8.
Gallaher D. Dietary Fiber. Washington D.C.: ILSI Press; 2006. p. 102-10.
Brown L, et al. Cholesterol-lowering effects of dietary fiber: a meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999; 69(1):30-42.
Deruelle F & Baron B. Vitamin C: is supplementation necessary for optimal health? J Altern Complement Med. 2008; 14(10):1291-8.
Combs GF Jr & McClung JP. The Vitamins. 4 ed: Burlington: Elsevier Science; 2012.
Carr AC & Frei B. Toward a new recommended dietary allowance for vitamin C based on antioxidant and health effects in humans. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999; 69(6):1086-107.
Linus Pauling Institute. Vitamin C [Available from https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vitamins/vitamin-C].
Zeisel SH & Da Costa KA. Choline: an essential nutrient for public health. Nutr Rev. 2009; 67(11):615-23.
Fischer LM, et al. Dietary choline requirements of women: effects of estrogen and genetic variation. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010; 92(5):1113-9.
Fischer LM, et al. Sex and menopausal status influence human dietary requirements for the nutrient choline. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007; 85(5):1275-85.
SACN. Vitamin D and Health. 2016.
Committee on Food Protection; Food and Nutrition Board; National Research Council. "Phytates". Toxicants Occurring Naturally in Foods. 1973.
Lopez HW, et al. Minerals and phytic acid interactions: is it a real problem for human nutrition? Int J Food Sci & Tech. 2002; 37(7):727-39.
