Really need help: Considering Huel-only for digestive issues but have concerns (any input appreciated!)

Nutrition
1

Hello,

Thank you in advance to anyone taking the time to read this.

I’ve read some people’s accounts on here about eating Huel-only for prolonged periods of time. I’m considering this myself for reasons I’ll expound upon, but have a number of concerns. I would really appreciate any input (and especially any guidance from Huel staff, if possible).

Concerns about Huel-only
I’ll start with my concerns, then give background on my particular health issues. I’d really appreciate input on any of these concerns.

  1. I tend to fare better with a higher percentage of carbs:protein in my macros (generally in the 65-68% carbs). However, this doesn’t seem possible to do with Huel powders (I cannot use any of the meals or other products). Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
  2. On #1, I recently ordered the “original” Huel as it seems to have a slightly higher carb:protein ratio, so I’m considering using that primarily vs the Black Edition, which is what I’ve been using.
  3. If eating my full caloric needs explicitly through Huel, I’ll be exceeding the nutrient recommendations of some nutrients that aren’t necessarily easily expelled by the body, or can interfere with thyroid labs (like iron, biotin, copper).
  4. Related to #3 I’m on a good number of supplements due to my digestive issues and absorption problems that come with them (I eat plenty of these nutrients, but am not absorbing them). I’m concerned that if I’m eating only Huel AND keep taking all my supplements, that I’ll surely get too much of some of them. Yet I’m equally concerned about not taking them, given I don’t know how much my body will absorb from Huel.
  5. I worry about altering my microbiome if eating only Huel, making it such that I’d have an even harder time digesting “real food” if trying to transition back (this is a known issue with restrictive diets).
  6. Similarly, I am afraid of developing food intolerances if eating only Huel for an extended period of time (also known issue with restrictive diets). Thus getting “locked in” to Huel-only
  7. I also worry this will result in my nutrient levels being “falsely” altered for the time I’m on Huel-only, then “crash” if transitioning back to regular food, making it harder to ever go back. (I eat a very balanced plant-based diet, but my body isn’t absorbing or digesting things properly).
  8. I’ve been eating Huel max 1 meal a day and have been using the Black Edition vanilla and chocolate. Given my SIBO/IMO/SIFO (see more below), I’ve just ordered the Unflavored/Unsweetened of the Black Edition and the “Original” (for higher carbs). I’m concerned that eating the unflavored/unsweetened only is going to be challenging in the realm of the “pleasure” of eating, which can be psychologically difficult. But I need to avoid added sugars.

My background & why I’m considering Huel-only
I’ve been dealing with extensive digestive issues for the past 6 months. I’ve been diagnosed with SIBO and IMO as well as suspected SIFO (small intestinal fungal overgrowth, most likely Candida). I’ve been through 3 rounds of the duel RX antibiotics for SIBO/IMO (Xifaxan & Neomycin) and a trial of daily Diflucan for the fungal overgrowth. Initially, those treatments really helped, only for things to turn again.

I eat a very healthy, balanced, whole-food plant-based diet with a ton of fiber. I hydrate, I am active, I do “all the things” you’re supposed to do. But my body will not move my food through. I have ongoing motility issues (my stomach and bowels won’t contract and move things…this is not a matter of “eat more fiber and hydrate”).

Since I eat such high-volume foods, I become full of stool and undigested food very quickly, which leads to the SIBO/IMO/SIFO. And, in turn, they slow motility to a halt. I currently can’t get my system moving except with high doses of stimulant laxatives, which is highly inadvisable.

I have been to doctors, GI, functional doctors, etc. No one has answers for me. I’ve tried almost everything for motility short of the RX drugs that can have severe neurological and/or psychological side effects.

I’m at the point of not being able to eat enough to sustain my weight or nutrition. I tried an Elemental Diet (physician-grade meal replacement) and it gave me severe stomach pain.

At this point, Huel is one of the few things I can tolerate (I’ve been using the Black Edition, but also ordered the original to have slightly more carbohydrates.) And so I’m at the crossroads of going to Huel-only, with no idea how long.

This is scary to consider given the roller coaster I’ve been on the last few months. I don’t want to make things worse, or further wreck my microbiome, or make it such that I can never eat regular food again.

I realize this is a long and messy post, and that no one here can give medical advice. I’ve done my best to summarize, but there are so many other factors.

I’d so appreciate any input on the list of concerns or any part of this post.

Thank you again for your time!

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Hey there!

First of all, I want to welcome you to the Huel US Forum! And I’m so sorry to hear that you’re experiencing these digestive challenges!

I’m going to get you in touch with our nutritionist, who will be the best positioned to address your concerns here, but there are a few things I can touch on:

It doesn’t quite hit your target, but your best bet for a higher carb ratio is going to be our Essential Powder, with 56% of the energy coming from carbohydrates! However, this is a different formula from the Black Edition that you’re familiar with, and only comes in Vanilla and Chocolate flavors (not Unflavored & Unsweetened), so that’s something to bear in mind. However, there’s no added sugar in the Essential, just sucralose. This is the case with our flavored white edition powder, as well.

Could you let us know what supplements you’re currently taking? This could help our nutritionist point you in the right direction!

You also might find the results of this pilot study helpful, where participants consumed only Huel for a month. The markers for some vitamins and minerals increased while others decreased–this might give you a better idea of how your body might absorb the nutrients in Huel! Copper and iron did see an increase over that period.

We also have some guidance in this article around elimination diets. Ehile this article in particular is about skin conditions/eczema, it could be useful here.

I’ll let our nutritionist take it from here!

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I am so sorry to hear you are going through this, I know how stressful and frustrating it can be trying to manage your health and not getting clear answers! I noticed you talked about meeting with doctors, have they ever referred you to a dietitian? I think given your history with conditions like SIBO, it might be worth seeing if you can meet with a dietitian who specializes in GI conditions. They are trained and experienced in specifically helping patients in your situation figure out what foods are tolerable and how you can go about expanding the kinds of foods you can tolerate. They also typically work closely with the gastroenterologist. We generally don’t advise 100% Huel diets but sometimes they can be helpful temporarily if needed for certain special circumstances. As you mentioned concerns getting too many of certain vitamins and minerals with your supplement routine + 100% Huel diet, or concerns about changes to your gut microbiome, a GI dietitian would be to help you navigate how much Huel would be best alongside other foods or if a 100% Huel diet would be beneficial in your situation.

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Thank you so much for the reply, Hope. I appreciate your time and empathy. Regarding:

If I’m not mistaken, the Essential powder is not gluten free. I think I had originally planned to use it for the higher carbs, but I cannot tolerate gluten. Am I correct that it contains gluten? The sucralose may also be an issue, but I at least know the gluten is.

Thank you again so much for your time.

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Maddie, thank you so much for the reply!

They’ve recommended that, however my insurance doesn’t cover dietitians and I overextended myself financially already with a 3-month package with a functional doctor to try and get this addressed.

The conventional medical system is so broken. I can’t get my GI or GP to reply to messages without constant harassment and calling. And even then it’s just over messages and on a 1-3 week delay. So I paid a lot for this functional doctor (is an MD). But have just gotten worse.

I’ve done multiple consultations with potential dietitians anyways, out of desperation. Thinking I’ll just have to wrack up debt at this point. But so far they either recommend things I’ve already tried or say my case seems too complex for them.

And my GI doesn’t work directly with dietitians. He doesn’t even really work with me. I’m lucky if I can see him once a year. Or hear back on messages within a month.

I’m really at my whits end. I’ve always eaten very healthy and been active and hydrated. I do everyone right. But I can’t get my digestion and elimination to work. And it’s getting dire.

So I’m at this point of maybe just eating Huel the rest of my life. Though the lower carbs make me tired. And I’m not satisfied when not eating “real food”.

Again appreciate your time so much.

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Yes, apologies, the Essential Powder does contain gluten! :pensive_face:

We have a hack to alter the macro proportions (for those on a ketogenic diet) for the Black Edition/Huel Powder with desiccated coconut–I wonder if something similar might be attainable by adding additional gluten-free oat powder or tapioca starch? To make the shake higher in carbs?

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Can I get more clarification about the difference between Black and just the white powder? I have both now and am still not super clear on the differences other than higher carb with the white.

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For sure! I’ll help break it down a bit and provide you with links to more info:

Black Edition Powder: This is specifically designed to have more protein and fat and less carbohydrates than the Huel Powder v3.1 (the one in the white bag with black letters). The macronutrient split varies slightly between flavors, but I’ll use the unflavored/unsweetened as an example - one serving of Black Edition unflavored/ unsweetened powder provides 400 calories, 41g of protein, 18g of fat, 20g of carbohydrates and 7g of fiber. It also contains a few special ingredients that the Huel Powder doesn’t, which includes green tea extract and probiotics.

It is vegan and gluten free. Unlike our other powders, it is not made with oats.

It provides the 27 essential vitamins and minerals in a similar amount to the Huel Powder v3.1, but I will note it contains a bit more sodium (420mg vs 270mg per serving).

Nutrition facts and ingredients lists can be found here: Black Edition | Meal Replacement Protein Powder | Huel US

One thing to note here is it does have probiotics, which can sometimes be helpful for people in your situation but could also exasperate symptoms. If you’ve been tolerating it well then that is good, but just something to keep in mind.

Huel Powder v3.1 or “white powder”: This is our classic formula, and also comes in an unflavored unsweetened option. The macronutrient split varies slightly between flavors, but I’ll use the unflavored/unsweetened as an example - one serving of Huel Powder v3.1 unflavored/ unsweetened powder provides 400 calories, 30g of protein, 12g of fat, 46g of carbohydrates and 8g of fiber. It does not contain the green tea extract or probiotics. As mentioned, it provides the 27 essential vitamins and minerals in a similar amount to the Black Edition, but contains a bit less sodium (270mg vs 420mg per serving).

It is vegan and gluten-free, as it is made with gluten free oats.

Nutrition facts and ingredients lists can be found here: Powder | Meal Replacement Powder | Huel US

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Thank you @Maddie_Huel I didn’t realize there were probiotics or caffeine in the Black. (Generally I’m great at research and all that but my brain fog with this situation is really dulling my mental functioning).

I saw caffeine markers for some flavors but didn’t realize green tea extract was in all Black edition.

Now I’m concerned about even eating the unsweetened and unflavored Black (and I just bought 2 bags). And still have a full unopened bag of Black edition vanilla.

As I understand, the white powder flavored versions use sucralose, which I’m supposed to avoid. Am I correct there?

So it seems that perhaps my only viable option is the unsweetened and unflavored white Huel powder. Which is kind of a bummer.

Why is Huel overall so low carb? If it’s meant to be a true meal replacement, 17% for black is super low and even the White is below the RDA percentages. I can’t meant my carb requirements without exceeding my caloric requirements.

Is there ever a potential for higher carb? I get pretty low energy and worse brain fog and motility on lower carbs.

Thank you again for your time.