Huel Daily Greens Review: Is It the Fuel You Need?

Greens powders have become a go-to supplement for people looking for a convenient way to boost their daily nutrient intake. Huel Daily Greens is one option on the market, offering a blend that includes vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and adaptogens. But is it worth the investment? Let’s take a deeper dive for a nutritionist’s take on this popular greens powder.

Huel Quick Facts

• Price: $56.50 for a 30-serving pouch ($1.88 per shake)
• Best for: Those looking for a greens powder with adaptogens
• Nutrition Facts:
  • Calories: 50
  • Fat: 1 gram
  • Carbohydrates: 8 grams
  • Dietary Fiber: 2 grams
  • Total Sugars: less than 1 gram
  • Protein: 3 grams
• Notable Ingredients: Sweet fennel fruit, organic spirulina, organic kale leaf, organic mate leaf extract, organic broccoli sprouts, organic Rhodiola root extract, organic burdock root, organic reishi mushroom, organic elderberry, and more.
• Taste: Huel comes in three flavors: Original, Lemon & Ginger, and Watermelon. It has a subtle apple flavor with a hint of grassiness. 
• Claims to Support: 146 health and wellness benefits, including immunity, cognitive functioning, energy levels, sleep, and stress. 
• Best Huel Alternatives: Options like Live it Up Super Greens (with concentrated doses) and Primal Greens (with adaptogens) offer many of the same benefits as Huel.

A Rundown of Huel

Launched in 2015, Huel is a UK-based brand that produces a variety of plant-based foods designed to be both convenient and nutritious. Their range includes ready-made drinks, instant meals, protein powders, and bars, geared toward those with busy lifestyles. The brand name “Huel” combines the words “human” and “fuel,” reflecting their mission to offer affordable, nutrient-rich options for people on the go.

Among Huel’s 10 different products is Huel Daily Greens, a plant-based powder that features 91 vitamins, minerals, probiotics, fruits, vegetables, and superfoods, many of which are organic. It also contains adaptogens, which are herbs or mushrooms known for helping the body manage stress. Huel claims their Daily Greens product offers 146 health benefits, which we'll explore further in this review.

This greens powder is available in three flavors: Watermelon, Lemon & Ginger, and Original. A 30-serving pouch costs $56.50 ($1.88 per serving), with the option to save by subscribing. At $1.88 per serving, Huel Daily Greens leans toward the pricier side of the green powder market.

What I Liked: 

• Contains over 91 ingredients, many of which are organic, including adaptogens, probiotics, vitamins, and minerals
• Undergoes third-party testing
• No artificial sweeteners or flavors
• Non-GMO, plant-based, and gluten-free
• Relatively tasty

What I Disliked:

• Includes guar gum, which could lead to digestive discomfort for some
• Doesn’t clearly disclose the specific amounts of each ingredient
• Promotes 146 health benefits without verifying effective doses
• Some vitamins are present in amounts that exceed daily recommendations
• Doesn’t dissolve completely 

Health Targets

Huel claims that a scoop of its Daily Greens powder delivers an impressive 146 health benefits. While vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients in the product can support areas like cognitive function, immune function, digestion, stress management, sleep, and energy, it’s unclear to what extent Huel is actually moving the needle on these various health outcomes. It’s also important to remember that this product is meant to supplement a healthy diet and lifestyle and is not a silver bullet for health and wellness on its own.

In this section, we’ll explore three of the primary health claims Huel boasts, providing insights into the potential benefits of its ingredients and what they may mean for your overall well-being.

Boost Nutrition Intake

In terms of macronutrients, Huel Daily Greens is a low-calorie option, making it best for those looking to boost nutrient intake without significantly increasing calories. Each serving contains only 25 calories, with 0.5 grams of fat and 4 grams of carbohydrates, so it's not intended to provide substantial energy or satiety. This product should be viewed as a supplement rather than a meal replacement.

Huel Daily Greens offers a comprehensive micronutrient profile, providing consumers with an easy and convenient way to incorporate a wide range of vitamins and minerals into their diets. Some of the standout vitamins include vitamin C (472% of DV), vitamin D (232% of DV), vitamin B12 (233% of DV), and vitamin A (100% of DV).

The high level of vitamin B12 is particularly beneficial for vegans, as plants do not naturally produce this vitamin. B12 plays an important role in supporting energy levels, red blood cell production, and overall health. A deficiency in B12 can lead to fatigue and other symptoms, making it a key nutrient for those on a plant-based diet.

Additionally, Huel Daily Greens provides substantial amounts of key minerals such as zinc (136% of DV), which supports immune function and a healthy metabolism, chromium (109% of DV), which also aids a healthy metabolism, and selenium (51% of DV), which supports immune health. 

Gut-Friendly Support

Huel Daily Greens is designed to support digestive wellness. One of the key components is its probiotic blend, which includes the strains Bacillus Coagulans and Bifidobacterium Bifidum. While more extensive research is needed on B. coagulans, early studies suggest it may aid in promoting regularity and supporting overall gut health. Similarly, B. bifidum has been studied for its potential role in supporting regularity.

While both probiotics are well-known for their potential to support gut health, they are significantly underdosed in this blend. Standard doses of probiotics typically range from 1 to 10 billion CFUs per serving, but both of these probiotics provide only 125 million CFUs per serving.

Each serving of Huel Daily Greens also provides 2 grams of dietary fiber, which may support digestion and regularity.

Aids Immune Resilience

Many of the vitamins and minerals included in Huel's Daily Greens are known to support immune function and the body’s natural defenses. Both vitamin A and vitamin C possess antioxidant properties; vitamin A helps safeguard immune cells from damage caused by free radicals, while vitamin C protects these cells to ensure they can function effectively. Vitamin E also supports immune resilience by aiding in the growth of T cells, which play a vital role in promoting a balanced immune response. 

Additionally, iron can help contribute to the proper functioning of the immune system, while zinc helps protect immune cells from oxidative damage, as well as generate new immune cells. 

Formula

Like many greens powders, Huel Daily Greens does not provide customers with the exact amount of each ingredient. Instead, it groups ingredients into proprietary blends, such as the “Organic Antioxidant Greens Blend” and the “Organic Superfruit Blend.”

Huel Greens features 91 ingredients, such as organic gluten-free oats, organic basil leaf, organic coconut nectar, organic chia seeds, organic lemon balm leaf, organic acerola fruit extract, organic hibiscus flower extract, organic lemon peel, pea protein, organic artichoke leaf, organic dandelion root, organic tart cherry, organic apple fruit, organic spinach leaf, and more.

While users can see the full list and the total milligrams for each blend on the label, the specific quantities of individual ingredients remain unknown. This lack of transparency means it's difficult to determine if the amounts of certain ingredients are significant enough to have any real effects.

In some cases, it’s clear they are not. For example, Huel Daily Greens contains organic ashwagandha root within its “Organic Adaptogen and Super Mushroom Complex.” Typically, 225 to 500 mg of ashwagandha is recommended for stress relief, but the 14-ingredient blend (with organic lion's mane mushroom and organic marshmallow root) only totals 170 mg.

Additionally, while Huel Daily Greens is sugar-free, it contains natural sweeteners like guar gum, sunflower lecithin, and organic stevia leaf extract. It's worth noting that guar gum may cause side effects such as gas, diarrhea, bloating, or cramps for some individuals. On the plus side, Huel Daily Greens is dairy-free, gluten-free, GMO-free, and 100% plant-based, though it does contain tree nuts.

Pricing

Huel Daily Greens is available for purchase online through Huel’s official website, Amazon, and in retail stores such as GNC and Vitamin Shoppe.

A 30-serving pouch of Huel Daily Greens costs $56.50 ($1.88 per serving), which is on the higher end compared to other greens powders on the market.

Customers can save 20% by subscribing to Huel’s “flexible plan,” which allows for cancellations and adjustments at any time with no fees. With the subscription, the cost drops to $45 per pouch ($1.50 per serving), and you can choose your preferred delivery frequency.

Free shipping is only available for orders over $65, so you'll need to purchase at least two pouches or other Huel products to qualify. It's important to note that Huel only offers a money-back guarantee on first-time orders returned within 30 days of delivery. After a first-time order, refunds are only granted for unopened items.

Taste and Texture

The taste and texture of a greens powder are surprisingly important factors to consider before making a purchase. While they may not contribute directly to the health benefits, enjoying the flavor and texture will keep you drinking your greens day after day, which is essential for long-term health. One of the best ways to gauge what a greens powder really tastes like is through customer reviews, which offer unbiased feedback. Below, I’ll share both my own thoughts and insights from other customers.

Taste

Huel Daily Greens comes in three flavors: Watermelon, Lemon & Ginger, and Original. I tried the Original flavor and found it light with a slight zing, leaving a subtle green apple and lemon aftertaste.

However, customer reviews were divided, with many finding the taste unpleasant for various reasons. Some described it as too grassy and bitter.

One user wrote, “I REALLY wanted to like Huel… The bottom line is that I can’t get past the taste and the incredibly strong bitter aftertaste of this drink. I don’t want to waste the product so am committed to finishing it, but I can barely get it down and there’s no way I could continue to order it.”

On the other hand, many reviewers felt the product was overly sweet. Another user shared, “I wouldn’t have tried this product if I had seen that it used “natural” sweeteners besides sugar. The taste of the icky greens with the horrible bitter Stevia aftertaste is just too much. I’ll just eat my spinach instead.”

However, a few customers enjoyed the sweetness: “Many greens drinks out there are just too grassy even when mixed with something else. This Huel drink is not bad at all; I mix it into my protein shakes. The green taste is minimal (if at all). It does have a sweet taste, but not grassy or tart,” one user commented.

Texture

As for the texture, I was less satisfied. Regardless of how I mixed it, through shaking, stirring, or blending, most of the powder settled at the bottom, leaving the drink clumpy and gritty. After reviewing customer feedback, it seems that others had similar experiences.

“A lot of powder ends up at the bottom of the glass no matter how much I mix it. So I wish it would dissolve easier, but I think it's a great product,” one user shared. 

Customer Reviews

Beyond taste and texture, many customer reviews focused on adverse side effects and comparisons to Athletic Greens’ powder, AG1.

Side Effects

An alarming number of customer reviews reported digestive issues after consuming Huel Daily Greens, ranging from mild gas to severe reactions such as vomiting and diarrhea. One customer wrote, “I have taken this product a few times and after a few hours of taking it, I became violently ill for at least 1-2 hours. Sick like I have never been sick before, to the point where the stomach contractions are unbearable. I recently learned that Huel is aware of this and recommends taking it in very low doses.”

Another user described, “Twice I got sick, the first time was nausea, the second time was projectile vomiting in my car… and severe diarrhea with cramps for more than 24 hours. Within an hour of consuming.”

While the majority of customers did not report such severe reactions, it’s advisable to proceed with caution. Starting with a lower dosage or consulting a doctor beforehand is highly recommended and encouraged.

AG1 

Many customers were drawn to Huel as a more budget-friendly alternative to AG1, which costs $99 ($3.30 per serving). Numerous reviews indicated that Huel met their needs at a more affordable price point.

One user wrote, “I originally purchased AG1 (Athletic Greens) to supplement my diet… I searched for a similar [product] that had less prebiotics and the potential for stomach issues and found Huel. It’s been great thus far and I’m on month 2 of taking it daily…And maybe the biggest advantage is it’s like half the price,” one user wrote.

Another reviewer commented, “This one has everything Athletic Greens has and more, but a third of the cost.”

Is Huel Worth It?

Huel Daily Greens offers a wide variety of ingredients and promises a range of health benefits, from boosting nutrition intake to supporting gut and immune health. With over 91 ingredients, it aims to cover a lot of bases.

While those numbers sound impressive, there are several concerns I have with this product. For one, the proprietary blends make it difficult to determine if each ingredient is included in effective dosages, particularly key ingredients like adaptogens and probiotics, which appear to be underdosed compared to recommended amounts.

If you're looking for a product that provides a high concentration of vitamins and minerals, Huel may seem tempting. However, you might want to explore other options like Live it Up Super Greens, Primal Greens, or AG1.

Everyone has different health needs and preferences; however, as a dietitian, this isn’t a product I would typically recommend to clients. Its underdosed ingredients and potential digestive side effects make it difficult to justify, especially with more effective alternatives available on the market.

FAQs about Huel

Find answers to common questions about Huel Daily Greens below.

Is Huel Greens healthy?

Huel Daily Greens contains a blend of nutrient-dense ingredients, including superfoods, fruits, and vegetables. It supports overall wellness by providing essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants while being low in sugar and high in fiber, making it a convenient addition to a balanced diet.

What are the side effects of Huel Greens?

Some users may experience digestive discomfort, such as bloating or gas when first incorporating Huel Greens into their diet. While these side effects are typically mild and subside as the body adjusts, some users report more serious issues, including vomiting and diarrhea. It's advisable to introduce Huel gradually and consult a healthcare professional beforehand.

Is AG1 better than Huel?

Both AG1 and Huel offer distinct benefits. AG1 has a better balance of ingredients and a slightly more transparent ingredient list, while Huel provides a wide variety of vitamins and minerals at a lower price point. The choice depends on individual health goals, preferences, and dietary needs.

Is it safe to drink Huel every day?

For most people, Huel can be safely consumed daily as part of a balanced diet. It provides essential nutrients that support overall health. However, maintaining a varied diet that includes whole foods is important for comprehensive nutrition. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice.

What is the Huel controversy?

The Huel controversy revolves around concerns about the product's formulation and its suitability as a complete meal replacement. Critics argue that reliance on meal replacements may lead to nutritional imbalances. Supporters emphasize its convenience and nutrient density, suggesting it can complement a balanced diet rather than replace it entirely.