Meal replacements like protein shakes and nutrition powders can supplement or replace meals on busy days. Huel and Garden of Life both offer popular options. But how do these two brands actually stack up? Here is an in-depth comparison of the pros, cons, ingredients, and key differences between Huel and Garden of Life to see which meal replacement is best.
A Brief Comparison Between Huel and Garden of Life
| Feature | Huel | Garden of Life |
| Base ingredients | Oats, pea protein, flaxseed, vitamins | Whole food blends, organic superfoods |
| Texture | Gritty, grainy | Smooth, creamy |
| Taste | Plain, neutral | Sweet, flavored |
| Cost per serving | Around $2 | $3-$4 |
| Shelf life | 1 year unopened | 6-8 months unopened |
| Diet types | Vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, GMO-free | Vegan and whey protein options |
Overview of Huel
Created in 2015 in the UK, Huel produces nutritionally complete powdered meals designed to replace conventional food. Their signature product is the Huel Nutritionally Complete Powder.
Pros of Huel
- Nutrient-dense: Contains 37 essential nutrients with a caloric ratio based on WHO guidelines. Vegan and non-GMO.
- Low prep: Simply add water, shake, and consume. More convenient than cooking.
- Fasting support: Keeps you satiated when intermittent fasting or trying other diets.
- Weight management: High protein and fiber content aids weight loss and maintenance goals.
- Minimal waste: Uses recyclable pouches instead of plastic tub containers. Carbon-neutral company.
Cons of Huel
- Limited flavors: Only 3 permanent flavor options, with limited edition flavors rotated through. Can get tired of flavors quickly.
- Texture takes adjusting: Grainy, gritty consistency isn’t for everyone. Some report gassiness initially.
- Not a real food: For some, meal replacements can’t fully replace eating solid whole foods.
Also Read: Comparison Between ProLon and OPTAVIA
Overview of Garden of Life
Founded in 2000, Garden of Life specializes in supplements and nutritional shakes made from real, organically grown foods. Their meal shakes come in both vegan and whey protein varieties.
Pros of Garden of Life
- Real food ingredients: Made from actual foods like fruits, greens, seeds, prebiotics, and organic protein rather than synthetic vitamins. Provides real nutrition.
- Great taste: Flavors like chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry are naturally sweet and delicious. Easy to drink daily.
- Variety: Many flavors and specialized lines to choose from based on dietary needs and preferences.
- No grit: Smooth, creamy texture with no grainy or chalky mouthfeel. Easy to digest.
- Third-party purity tested: Ingredients and final products are rigorously lab tested for potency and purity.
Cons of Garden of Life
- Contains sugar: To make the shakes naturally sweet, organic cane sugar is added. Not ideal for low-carb diets.
- More expensive: Higher cost per serving compared to synthetic meal replacements with no actual food content.
- Not as convenient: Requires refrigeration once opened, unlike shelf-stable powder-only options.
Also Read: Comparison Between Ancient Nutrition and Garden of Life
Key Differences Between Huel And Garden Of life
Huel and Garden of Life Nutrition are popular options for meal replacement and supplements, each with distinct features.
Ingredients and Sources:
- Huel: Huel is made using things that grow from plants, like oats, pea protein, and flaxseed. These ingredients are chosen to give your body a mix of things it needs, such as energy from carbs, strength from protein, and the good stuff in fiber.
- Garden of Life Nutrition: When we talk about Garden of Life products, we’re talking about things that use natural and healthy stuff. This could mean fruits, vegetables, and other plant things that are good for your body.
Meal Replacement vs. Supplements:
- Huel: Imagine if you didn’t have time to cook a regular meal. Huel is like a helpful friend that you can drink or eat instead. It’s made to be a complete meal, all packed in one drink or bar.
- Garden of Life Nutrition: Now, Garden of Life makes things that are like little helpers for your body. They’re not meant to replace your meals, but they’re there to give your body extra goodness when it needs it.
Nutrient Profile:
- Huel: Huel wants to give you all the good things in one go. So, when you have it, you’re getting not only the big things like energy from carbs and strength from protein but also the small things like vitamins and minerals.
- Garden of Life Nutrition: Garden of Life’s things are like little treasure chests of specific good things. They might have vitamins or minerals that your body might be asking for.
Flavor and Taste:
- Huel: Huel comes in different flavors to make it yummy. But because it’s full of important things for your body, sometimes the taste might be different from what you expect.
- Garden of Life Nutrition: The things from Garden of Life often come in pills or powders. They’re not worried too much about taste like Huel is.
Usage and Convenience:
- Huel: Imagine you’re running late or just need a quick meal. Huel is like a superhero that’s there to save the day with a healthy meal that’s quick and easy.
- Garden of Life Nutrition: The things from Garden of Life are like little helpers you can easily take. You can swallow a pill or mix a powder with water. They’re great when you need that extra boost for your body.
Health Focus:
- Huel: Huel wants to make sure you’re eating well, even when you’re busy. It’s like your healthy partner for meals that help you manage your weight and stay nourished.
- Garden of Life Nutrition: Garden of Life really likes natural things. They use ingredients that come from nature to support your health in specific ways.
Target Audience:
- Huel: If you’re someone who needs a quick and healthy meal option when you’re in a hurry, Huel is like your friend. It’s there for you to enjoy a balanced meal even on busy days.
- Garden of Life Nutrition: If you’re into natural and healthy stuff, Garden of Life might be more your style. It’s like having a team of plant-powered helpers for your health.
Also Read: Comparison Between HLTH Code And Huel.
Huel Vs. Garden of Life Nutrition Facts Comparison
| Nutrient | Huel Powder | Garden of Life Vegan Shake | Garden of Life Whey Protein Shake |
| Calories per serving | 400 | 140 | 160 |
| Protein | 30g | 20g | 20g |
| Sugar | 1g | 7g | 6g |
| Dietary fiber | 5g | 3g | <1g |
| Carbohydrates | 37g | 15g | 9g |
| Fat | 14g | 3.5g | 3g |
| Vitamins/minerals | 100% Daily Value | At least 50% Daily Value | At least 50% Daily Value |
Frequently Asked Questions
Some controversies surrounding Huel include false health claims about it providing all nutrients the body needs, criticism that it promotes disordered eating habits, andenvironmental concerns over sustainability with single-use pouches.
While very nutritious, Huel may not be the healthiest due to using synthetic vitamins and lacking real food. Garden of Life is arguably healthier with organic superfood ingredients. But Huel’s complete nutrition profile appeals to some.
Technically yes, as Huel contains all essential vitamins, minerals, protein, carbs and fats. But most health experts recommend eating some whole foods for complete nutrition rather than solely meal replacements.
You can replace all or most meals with Huel. However, it’s not recommended to avoid whole foods long-term. Eating some fruits, vegetables and lean proteins should be part of a healthy balanced diet. Huel can fill in the gaps.
Also Read: Comparison Between ProLon and Dr. Kellyann
Final Thought
For a convenient, nutrition-packed meal on the go, Huel takes the win. But Garden of Life is the superior choice for an enjoyable real-food shake. Keep Huel stocked for fast, minimal-prep meals, and drink Garden of Life shakes as a satisfying snack or light meal. Achieve your health goals with the best of both worlds!