So, you’ve decided you’re too busy (or too lazy) to cook real meals, and now you’re looking for the best meal replacement. Enter Huel and Soylent—two brands that promise to keep you fed, healthy, and not completely dependent on fast food. But which one is actually worth it?
Let’s break it down and see which one deserves a spot in your shaker bottle.
Round 1: Ingredients – What’s Actually in These Things?
Huel:
Huel’s ingredient list reads like a health guru’s shopping cart—pea protein, oats, flaxseed, sunflower oil, brown rice protein, and MCTs from coconut. In other words, it’s plant-based, fiber-rich, and keeps things moving in your digestive system.
Soylent:
Soylent takes a different approach with soy protein isolate, canola oil, high oleic sunflower oil, and isomaltulose (a fancy slow-digesting carb). Translation? It’s smooth, it’s simple, but it has a lot more added sugar—about 10g per serving, compared to Huel’s 1g.
🥊 Winner: Huel. Less sugar, more fiber, and no canola oil weirdness.
Round 2: Nutrition & Benefits – Will It Actually Keep You Full?
Both brands claim to be nutritionally complete, meaning they provide all the macros, vitamins, and minerals you need in a meal.
- Protein? Both have solid amounts, but Huel has more.
- Fiber? Huel wins again.
- Healthy fats? Both do well, but Huel includes Omega-3 and Omega-6 from flaxseed.
- Probiotics? Huel has them, Soylent doesn’t.
🥊 Winner: Huel. More protein, more fiber, and a little gut-friendly bonus.
Round 3: Side Effects – Will It Mess Up Your Stomach?
- Huel: Some people report bloating, indigestion, and let’s just say “bathroom issues.”
- Soylent: Also has bloating complaints, plus it lacks insoluble fiber, meaning things might not move as quickly as they should.
🥊 Winner: Draw. Either one could have you running (or not running) to the bathroom. Proceed with caution.
Round 4: Flavors & Variety – Who’s Got the Best Options?
Huel: Huel is out here doing the most. They’ve got powders, ready-made drinks, protein bars, and even hot & savory meals (yes, mac & cheese is an option). Their flavors range from Vanilla to Mexican Chili, with plenty of options in between.
Soylent: Soylent keeps it simple with pre-made drinks, powders, and small meal bars. Their flavors are classic—Chocolate, Mocha, Vanilla, and Banana.
🥊 Winner: Huel, hands down. More flavors, more meal options, and even hot food.
Round 5: Cost – Which One Hurts Your Wallet Less?
- Huel Ready-to-Drink: $4.21 per bottle
- Soylent Ready-to-Drink: $3.50 per bottle
- Huel Powder: $1.25 per meal
- Soylent Powder: $1.91 per meal
Soylent is cheaper overall, especially for their pre-made drinks. If you’re ballin’ on a budget, this might be a deciding factor.
🥊 Winner: Soylent. More budget-friendly, especially for grab-and-go meals.
The Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?
If you want the healthiest, most nutritious, and most diverse meal replacement, Huel wins. More protein, less sugar, better ingredients, and even solid food options.
If you’re all about convenience and cost, Soylent is a solid pick. It’s smooth, cheaper, and tastes good without needing extra effort.
💡 Bottom Line:
- Pick Huel if you want the best nutritional value.
- Pick Soylent if you want something quick and cheap.