Bulk 1 Complete Food Shake Vs Huel - Which Is Best
When you find two similar meal replacement shakes it can be hard to decide which is best. Which one will taste best? Which one will provide you with the best gains? Most importantly, which one deserves your money.
Today we’re comparing Bulk 1 Complete Food Shake Vs Huel. Which of these meal replacements is best?
We know these types of products can be an investment and you want to ensure that you are putting your trust into the correct product.
To make the decision-making process easier for you, we are going to compare Bulk 1 Complete Food Shake and Huel Ready-To-Drink.
Our criteria for comparison will be;
- macro profile and nutrition
- company background
- product ingredients
- muscle-building and losing weight benefits
- value for money
Which will come out of top, and be crowned as the best meal replacement? Read on to find out.
Product Overviews
Huel Ready-To-Drink Shakes and Bulk 1 Complete Food Shakes are two of the most competitive meal replacement options on the market. They both offer a nutritionally complete meal replacement with essential vitamins and minerals with 400 calories per serving.
Huel Ready-To-Drink is just as it says on the tin, ready-to-drink. Huel RTD is perfect for people with busy lifestyles looking to lose or maintain weight, bulk up, or gain muscle. Are you a busy Mother, who also loves to compete in physique contests? Perhaps you’re a high-flying executive in board room meetings, but are looking for a quick energy boost before your evening yoga class. RTD’s are for you.
Pre-mixed in a bottle, Huel ready-to-drink is available in eight flavours including chocolate, vanilla, strawberries and cream, salted caramel, iced coffee caramel, cinnamon swirl, berry, and banana.
Bulk 1 Complete Food Shake is a fully vegan balanced powder, designed to provide all-in-one nutritional meals on the go, which you can whisk to create your shake. Available in three flavours including chocolate, vanilla, and white chocolate coconut, this complete food shake is not gritty and is packed full of taste.
Who Is Behind Huel?
Huel is a nutrition company that produces and sells meal replacement products. Huel began with just meal replacement powers but now they produces bars, protein powders, ready-to-drink bottles, and hot and savoury meals. They brands themselves as ‘the future of food’.
Huel was founded in 2014 by Julian Hearn and James Collier. Julian Hearn had previously founded several successful businesses, including a digital marketing agency, while James Collier is a registered nutritionist with over 25 years of experience in the industry.
Together, they developed the concept of Huel as a convenient and nutritious meal replacement option for people who lead busy lives. Today, Huel has grown to become a popular brand, offering a range of products, including powders, bars, and ready-to-drink shakes, that are sold in more than 100 countries.
Who Is Behind Bulk?
Bulk, originally named Bulk Powders, was founded in 2006. It was the brain child of Adam Rossiter and Elliot Dawes, who started the business from their small apartment in Colchester, England.
Bulk is a UK-based supplement company that sells a wide range of nutritional products, including protein powders, vitamins, and sports supplements.
Rossiter and Dawes saw an opportunity to provide high-quality supplements at affordable prices, and they began sourcing their ingredients directly from manufacturers to keep costs low. The company grew rapidly, and in 2013, it was acquired by private equity firm, Endless LLP.
Since then, Bulk Powders has continued to expand its product range and distribution channels. In addition to selling directly to consumers through its website and retail stores, the company also supplies its products to gyms, sports teams, and other businesses. Rossiter and Dawes remain involved in the business as directors and shareholders.
Ingredients
The Bulk 1 Complete Food Shake is a fully vegan protein powder, with the source coming from chickpeas, peas and pumpkin seeds. Using sweet potato and gluten-free oats to increase its carbohydrate content, Bulk 1 Complete Food Shake is also Gluten Free. Also included in the ingredients is avocado, navy beans, baobab, lucuma and flaxseed.
Huel Ready-to-drink shakes are vegan and gluten-free, contain a balanced macro split of 35:20:42:3, 26 vitamins and minerals, carbohydrates, protein, fat and fibre. The main ingredients include pea protein, oats, brown rice protein and flaxseed, ensuring the correct amounts of essential amino acids are covered.
Winner: Huel. While both Bulk 1 Complete Food Shake and Huel Ready-To-Drink are both Vegan, Gluten Free and include 400 calories, Huel provides 26 vitamins and minerals while Bulk only provides 24.
Taste & Mixability
Bulk 1 Complete Food Shake is very tasty for a protein powder that you need to mix yourself although it is very limiting with a lack of flavours available. When this is mixed the consistency is pleasant and not too gritty.
Huel Ready-To-Drink shakes are quite a thick texture however are full of flavour with a wide range of flavour options available. As this is already pre made in a ready-to-drink bottle, you can simply shake and drink and don’t have to waste time mixing the powder to create a smooth drink.
Winner: Huel. With 8 flavours available Huel is much more likely to be a meal replacement to stick to, with a quick shake these are ready to drink.
Side Effects
We have covered the 7 most prominent Huel Side Effects in detail.
These are:
- Gas formation and bowel issues
- Digestive Issues
- Acid reflux & heartburn
- Headaches
- Rash and Skin problems
- Brain Disorders
- Nausea
The same side effects of Huel, are also present with Bulk.
This is the case with any meal replacements.
Usually they are brought on when someone eating a ‘unhealthy’ diet adds a meal replacement shake, containing fiber and other ingredients that their body is not used to, into their diet.
Whilst most of the side effects are extremely uncommon - it’s still important to point out.
Winner: tie.
Can You Build Muscle With Huel Ready-To-Drink
Building muscle with Huel is possible, however, you need to pair this with your calorie intake and exercise regime to see results.
Each bottle includes 400 calories, so in addition to your diet, creating a calorie surplus would make you put on weight which paired with a fitness regime could turn into muscle.
If you’re looking to start using huel for weight gain, you should aim to add Huel on top of your existing diet, by drinking it in between whole meals.
This would not be a quick fix, dedication over time would be required to see significant results.
Can You Build Muscle With Bulk 1 Complete Food Shake
You can build muscle with Bulk by adding this to your diet including the other key food groups.
Including Bulk in your meal plans, with a high amount of protein content and containing everything you need for your workout, building muscle is possible when ensuring you are in a calorie surplus.
Can You Lose Weight With Huel Ready-To-Drink
Yes, Huel can help you lose weight as part of a calorie controlled diet. Assuming you are in a calorie deficit, Huel ready-to-drink shakes can help those with a busy lifestyle lose weight.
They’re a great alternative to higher calorie snacks and junk food that could encourage binge eating.
Incorporating Huel into your diet, alongside a meal plan will set you up for success.
Find out more here, Using Huel For Weight Loss - Everything You Need To Know.
Can You Lose Weight With Bulk 1 Complete Food Shake
When used as part of a diet plan as a meal replacement, Bulk 1 Complete Food Shakes can assist you to lose weight.
With 400 calories per drink, you can use this to incorporate into your diet, ensuring that you are in a caloric deficit.
As Bulk includes 24 vitamins and minerals and all of the macro-nutrients that you need, this would be a good addition to your diet as you lose weight, as you still have all of the nutritional benefits of a complete meal.
Is Huel Or Bulk Complete Better Than A Protein Shake?
Huel Ready-To-Drink and Bulk 1 Complete Food Shakes are meal replacements, not to be confused with Protein Shakes, although they have a high protein content.
Meal replacements also contain carbohydrates and fat that are needed for nutritionally complete meals, whereas protein shakes are just protein only.
It’s very hard to say which would be better for you as this depends on your goals and how these products will incorporate into your lifestyle.
Huel Ready-To-Drink and Bulk 1 Complete Food Shakes are good options for complete meal replacements whereas protein shakes are more suitable for athletes wanting to increase their protein without adding unnecessary calories.
Best Value For Money
Huel Ready-To-Drink is available to buy from Snackfully from £25.99 per case of 8 which is £3.50 per bottle. This is for a 500ml bottle which is 1 serving. You can also purchase individual bottles so you can test out flavours before you commit to a full case. You can also purchase the Huel bestsellers bundle which is £47.98 for 16 bottles, £68.99 for 24 bottles, £90.99 for 32 bottles and £110 for 40 bottles saving up to 21% and working out at less than £3 a bottle.
Bulk 1 Complete Food Shake can be purchased directly from Bulk’s website and is £39.99 for a 3kg bag which works out at £1.33 per meal and includes 30 portions.
Winner: Bulk 1 Complete Food Shake is the best value for money coming in at £1.33 per meal with the ability to purchase different size bags to your requirements. However, it is not as convenient as a ready-to-drink option.
The Winner Is - Huel
Huel and Bulk are both very good contenders with a lot of similarities and a range of benefits to assist with busy lifestyles, bulking, and losing weight.
But who is the winner?
For us, the clear winner for meal replacements is Huel, with the range of flavours, high vitamin and mineral content, and ready-to-drink bottle.
Although this is more of an investment product, the benefits ensure you won’t regret your purchase.
Shop Huel Ready-To-Drink.