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Huel Complete Protein

Best complete plant-based protein powder

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Huel is a brand that I spotted in a social media ad and it piqued my interest because of the variety it has to offer. The company has several product lines, including protein shakes and powders as well as meal replacement shakes. Each product includes 27 essential vitamins and minerals, fatty acids, carbs and other nutrients. It’s low-sugar and dairy-free.

Huel’s protein powder is made up of pea, faba and hemp powder. Even though the brand says its plant protein has a neutral flavor, I’d disagree because there is a distinct difference upon tasting it that makes it stand out compared to other plant-based proteins. After trying flavors from both the Black Edition and Complete Protein lines, I established that my favorite Huel flavor was the vanilla caramel flavor from the Complete Protein line. I blended it with iced coffee and oat milk and it tasted like a delicious specialty flavored iced latte you would order from your local coffee shop. I’m not even a fan of caramel, but I was impressed by the flavor profile and smooth consistency of the beverage. I also had no negative side effects and the aftertaste was minimal with this one.

One serving of Huel’s Complete Protein contains 20 grams of protein and 110 calories. This makes it an ideal drink to have post-workout or as a snack, but if you’re looking for something to hold you over a little longer, Huel’s Black Edition, Huel Powder and Ready-to-Drink options are considered complete meals, with 400 calories and extra protein.

Pros

• Vanilla Caramel flavor blends well with coffee and milk
• Well thought-out, plant-based formula across all Huel’s products
• Includes probiotics, which is important for gut health

Cons

• Expensive; it has to be acquired as part of a subscription or one-time purchase bundle
• Flavor isn’t as consistent across the Complete Protein and Black Edition line
• Hemp and faba may not be a favored plant-based ingredient for everyone