In the world of trendy meal shakes, it’s like navigating a jungle of options, each claiming to be the ultimate blend of goodness for your body. Are you too confused by Huel, Shakeology, and PhenQ Meal Shakes? You’re not alone!
This in-depth comparison will dissect each brand, revealing their nutritional powerhouses, flavor explosions, and price tags. Spoiler alert: there’s no single “best” shake. We’ll help you identify the perfect match for your goals, whether it’s weight management, fitness fuel, or simply a healthy on-the-go solution.
Get ready to ditch the confusion and find your ideal shake for a smooth and satisfying journey toward your wellness goals, but first, let’s view the basics.
Introduction to Meal Replacement Shakes
If you aren’t already well-acquainted with the concept of a meal replacement shake, let us help you. A meal replacement shake is a nutritional supplement designed to replace a meal (usually your heaviest one). It is fortified with essential nutrients but has fewer calories than your regular meals. Science dictates that the human body needs a healthy combination of fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meat or eggs, and healthy fats and oils for sustenance.
While meal replacements do not often feature fruits and vegetables, they do contain the essential vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients you would get from them. They are either powders that you can mix with water, milk, or milk alternatives or can be bought as ready-to-drink shakes.
The meal replacement powder began as a healthy alternative to bad but easy food choices like takeout or microwavable meals. Over time, the idea of an easy, convenient, and often tasty shake grew and diversified. Nowadays, you can find a meal replacement powder for very specific needs – weight gain, weight loss, advanced fat burning, more energy, greater muscle mass, or even hormonal balance. A good meal replacement powder is usually one that can stave off hunger, nutritionally replace a meal, go easy on the digestive system, and keep a check on how many calories you consume. As you may have already guessed, the most popular type of meal shake is, of course, one that claims to support weight loss.
Most weight loss supplements make tall claims—overnight weight loss, maintenance of body weight, helping you shed pounds without any exercise, and so on. This would explain why weight loss aids have a bad reputation—overpromise and under delivery. Meal replacements fall under this category, too.
Studies state that adding a good nutritionally complete meal replacement to a healthy diet and robust exercise plan would help you lose weight faster. But you would need to choose the right meal replacement for it. To help you choose, we compared three meal replacement shakes, all of which claim to further your weight loss journey.
Let’s take an in-depth look at what they are, how they work, and what they can do to control body weight.
Huel vs. Shakeology vs. PhenQ Complete Meal Shake: A Brief Introduction
Before we begin, it must be mentioned that meal replacement powders are designed to replace only one meal a day. Unless advised otherwise by a physician, that is the recommended practice. Meal replacements may be fortified with macronutrients but are usually low in macronutrients and calories. Overusing the supplement would cause your body to need proper nutrition, leading to a myriad of issues. Therefore, one meal a day is to be replaced.
Huel
Huel is a supplement brand that is determined to help you lead a healthier life, food-wise at least. The Company offers a range of products like nutrition bars, protein shakes, instant meals, and ready-to-drink shakes. Huel Powder claims to be the original nutritionally complete meal that features an ideal mix of macro and micronutrients.
The official website does not feature as much information about the product as one would expect, but it does state that the powder is fit to replace a meal with fewer calories. Available in 10 flavor profiles, Huel does its best to provide the user with as much choice as possible when it comes to taste.
Each Huel bag contains 17 meals and if you are a first-time customer, you also get a free t-shirt and a shaker. Usually counted among the better meal replacement brands, Huel boasts a whopping 161 benefits from use. Huel is dairy-free, non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free and planet-kind. However, there is no mention of weight loss or management.
For this review, we shall be looking at the Huel Original Flavor.
Nutritional Value: Calories – 400, Protein – 30, Carbs – 47g, Fat – 12g, Fiber – 8g, and Sugar – 1g.
Shakeology
Shakeology is a branch of Team Beachbody – a food and lifestyle MLM (multi-level marketing) company. The parent company features nutrition products, health plans, clothing, and accessories. Shakeology claims to be ‘daily nutrition done right’ and states that it has been clinically proven to support healthy weight loss. This is more of what we like to hear. The meal replacement shake includes macronutrients, essential vitamins and minerals, probiotics, and digestive enzymes, all of which are dedicated to keeping the body in optimal condition.
Fundamentally, it fills in the nutritional gaps that appear from bad diet habits and supports the various physiological systems. Probably the best feature of the brand is that all of its 6 available flavors can be had in either whey protein or vegan options. This makes the product available to a greater audience. Shakeology can either be bought in 30-serving bags or 24 individually packed sachets. Shakeology is often considered to be a luxury brand as the price and the perks are sometimes overwhelming but there are definite benefits to use.
For this review, we shall be looking at the Chocolate Vegan option.
Nutritional Value: Calories – 160, Protein – 16g, Carbs – 17g, Fat – 3g, Fiber 6g-, and Sugar – 7g.
PhenQ Complete Meal Shake
PhenQ Complete Meal Shake has been created by a brand dedicated to losing weight, weight management, and fat burning. PhenQ began with fat burner pills, the success of which led to the development and marketing of night weight loss pills and meal replacement shakes. Unlike the other two shakes that claim to influence the body as a whole, PhenQ concentrates its energies on helping your body shed excess pounds.
Using few but potent natural ingredients helps the body increase the rate of fat burning, using fat as an alternate source of energy and keeping cravings at bay. Of course, if you opt to use the entire PhenQ weight loss system, the results are quicker and more effective, but you could use the meal replacement shake on its own with your own diet and exercise plan.
It is available in three flavor profiles, and each bag contains 14 meals. PhenQ has one drawback, though: it is not a vegan meal replacement shake, as it features whey protein. However, the most appealing aspect of PhenQ is that it is gluten-free and contains zero added sugar.
For this review, we shall be looking at the Chocolate flavor option.
Nutritional Value: Calories – 180, Protein – 16g, Carbs – 21g, Fat – 3.5g, Fiber – 4g, and Sugar – 2g.
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What Health Benefits Can You Expect?
As many benefits as Huel, Shakeology, and PhenQ may claim, you must keep in mind that the three meal powders are being checked for their ability to support weight loss efforts. In addition to burning through stored body fat, any other benefits are frills.
| Huel Powder | Team Beachbody Shakeology | PhenQ Complete Meal Shake |
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What Goes into the Making of These Meal Replacements?
When looking at a meal shake, we are looking at the supplements that could most closely represent complete food while providing fewer calories, low sugar content, and ease. Let’s face it: the reason meal replacement shakes are so popular is that there is very little meal prep, and most of them are incredibly tasty.
To really understand how well such a supplement can aid weight management, you need to take an in-depth look at what goes into these shakes and whether the ingredients included truly support your weight loss journey.
The Huel Formula
Considered one of the better vegan meal replacement shakes, Huel employs a simple mix of ingredients. However, unlike the other shakes in this guide, Huel does not take the extra step of explaining what each ingredient does or its source (organic or otherwise). Each serving of the Huel meal replacement would get you a healthy dose of vitamins A, C, D, E, K, and the complete B range, plus minerals such as iron, phosphorus, magnesium, selenium, manganese, molybdenum, choline, calcium, iodine, zinc, copper, chromium, and chloride. This brand also boasts of providing a healthy helping of omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, MCTs, lutein, and zeaxanthin. Not many shakes can make a similar boast.
The actual ingredients are not grouped, and neither are they explained in any way. If potential customers wish to know more about the components, they would have to rely on their own resources and the internet. From what we can gather, for protein, the shake includes pea protein, brown rice protein, and fava bean protein. This could help to promote a feeling of fullness and curb cravings as protein takes time to move through the digestive system. The proteins are also excellent vegetarian sources of essential amino acids.
Furthermore, Tapioca starch and oat flour are sources of complex carbs, while ground flaxseeds provide essential fats and fiber. MCTs and sunflower oil also supply healthy fats.
Last but not least, Gaur gum and xanthan gum have been used to help the supplement maintain integrity, and sucralose is added for sweetness.
The Shakeology Formula
The Shakeology brand revolves around healthy eating, leading a healthy lifestyle, and replacing junk food with a healthy meal. This supplement brand uses a combination of whole foods, adaptogens, antioxidants, and gut-healthy components neatly grouped into proprietary blends. To be honest, the supplement label on the shake packaging gives you an in-depth look at the ingredients and what they bring to the table, which is impressive and more than what most brands do.
Each serving of the meal powder would give you a heady hit of vitamin C, calcium, iron, sodium, and potassium. Also included is Alpha-Linolenic Acid, which is an excellent source of omega-3 healthy fat. The other ingredients in this supplement are as follows:
Proprietary Protein Blend: With inclusions like pea protein, flaxseed, quinoa, and rice, the vegan version of Shakeology meal replacement makes good on its promise of more protein. Moreover, the protein contributes to appetite suppression and lean muscle mass building.
Proprietary Super-Fruit / Antioxidant Blend: Free radical damage is often cited as the main cause of chronic conditions, and to correct this, Shakeology offers a combination of antioxidants like Camu-Camu, acerola cherry, blueberry, bilberry, Lycium berry, Luo Han Guo, pomegranate, and rose hips.
Proprietary Super-Green / Phytonutrient Blend: Greens are the most commonly ignored foods as they don’t taste the best. Shakeology adds matcha green tea, kale, chlorella, and spinach to make up for unhealthy choices. These greens are sources of fiber and phytonutrients that keep the body and soul together.
Proprietary Adaptogen Blend: To counter the negative effects of stress, this meal powder comprises ashwagandha, astragalus, cordyceps, maca, maitake, reishi, Schisandra, and Chaga. These herbs and mushrooms have been traditionally used to help the mind and body better adapt to stress.
Proprietary Pre & Probiotic Blend / Digestive Enzymes Blend: If the stomach is not able to digest the ingredients above, the whole effort is a waste. To ensure that the body is able to make full use of the goodness included, Shakeology uses yacon and chicory root, which act as prebiotic fiber for the good gut bugs, Bacillus Coagulans to reinstate the numbers of the good bacteria, and a combination of digestive enzymes like amylase, cellulase, lactase, glucoamylase, alpha-galactosidase, invertase.
The PhenQ Complete Meal Shake Formula
Of the three shakes, PhenQ is the only one that completely concentrates on helping you lose weight. Unlike Shakeology, which packs its product to the brim with all things good for the body, PhenQ restricts itself to only those ingredients that would contribute to your weight loss efforts.
Fundamentally, PhenQ attempts to re-ignite your body’s AMPK response – an enzyme that metabolizes stored fat and uses it as an alternative source of energy. This system slows with age and stress, which leads to fat accumulation. By providing your body with the right combination of ingredients, PhenQ sets this process in motion once again and keeps you fit and full of energy even when you are on a diet.
Each serving is reinforced with vitamins A, C, D, E, and K, and the B complex range along with sodium which makes up the Vegetarian Micronutrient Blend. The formula comprises the following.
Gluten-Free Oats: Rich in complex carbs, oats support healthy digestion, curb appetite, and provide vital energy without spiking sugar levels. Oats ensure that you do not feel fatigued, especially during calorie-deficit diets.
Carb10®: A registered supplement from Compound Solutions, Inc., this component is derived from pea starch. Carb10® supports efficient digestion of the food you consume, which means that there is less to be stored away as fat, and almost all of it is used as energy.
Whey Protein Concentrate: Whey protein has an excellent amino acid profile, which helps with weight management, protein synthesis for lean muscle mass, and neurotransmitter manufacture.
Flaxseed Powder: Rich in fiber and omega-3 fats, flax seeds are a powerhouse of clean energy and digestive support. The seeds also promote cardiovascular health, reduce inflammation, and would also help with recovery after exercise.
Digezyme™ Enzyme Complex: Another supplement from Sabinsa Corporation, Digezyme™ is a combination of alpha-amylase, protease, lipase, cellulase, and lactase. This ingredient focuses on nutrient absorption, energy metabolism, and effective breakdown of food components.
Word of Caution
Although the ingredients for all the meal powders have been tested for safety and efficacy, there is always a chance of allergies or drug interactions. This is especially important if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or suffering from a pre-existing medical condition for which you are taking prescription medication.
So, before you start the use of these or any other dietary supplement, it is best that you speak to your physician just to be safe.
Prices, Where to Buy & Other Information
The best way to get your hands on any dietary supplements is to get them directly from the manufacturer. This would ensure quality and, in case you need a refund, it would be easier to deal with the brand itself.
Buy Huel
Huel can be purchased from the official website, where a bag of the powder would cost you (excluding shipping charges):
- A $47 for one-time purchases.
- And $37.50 on subscription.
However, if you spend more than $65 in one go, you qualify for free shipping. Purchases of $120 and over give you a 10% discount at checkout. If this is your first order with Huel, you get a free t-shirt and a shaker too.
Additionally, you have ten flavor options to choose from. Huel maintains a 30-day return and refund policy, but the product must be unused and unopened for a refund. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee available only on first-time orders.
Buy Shakeology
Shakeology can only be purchased from the official website or through a ‘partner’ as this is an MLM company. The brand is a lesson in choice as you would be asked a variety of questions about your purchase – single flavor or combo box, vegan or whey, which of the six flavors, 30-serving bag or 24-individually packed servings, subscription, or single purchase. Once you’ve decided, you have to pay $129.95 for your purchase. Shipping depends on your order. Returns and refunds are subject to company discretion.
Buy PhenQ Meal Shake
Get your PhenQ Complete Meal Shake! Only available on the official website. Click to get started!
- One bag would cost $64.99. If you choose to subscribe, you automatically qualify for free shipping and a 20% discount.
- However, if you are not ready for that sort of commitment, you could purchase two bags for $116.99, get 10% off, and qualify for free shipping.
- A bulk purchase of 3 bags would cost $165.73, and you get a 15% discount plus free shipping.
The PhenQ supplement is available in 3 dessert flavors:
- Chocolate Brownie
- Vanilla Ice-Cream And
- Strawberries & Cream.
Every purchase also gives you access to FREE eBooks and a newsletter. If in case you’re not satisfied with how the shake works out for you, PhenQ offers a 60-day money-back guarantee just in case.
Which Is the Best Meal Replacement Shake?
If you are trying to replace meals with a healthier option, meal-replacement shakes are the best way to go, as they are a lot better than take-out food and are easier to prepare than a Sunday roast. If optimal health is the issue you wish to address, Huel, Shakeology, PhenQ or other meal replacements could help you there. However, we are discussing weight loss and for that, we need something a little extra.
The Huel and Shakeology meal replacement shakes are not bad supplements. In fact, they are considered among the better brands. Huel is a vegan, plant-based, high- protein shake, which promotes optimum bodily function. It is a healthy, easy, and low-calorie meal. However, Huel does not do much to improve the rate at which you lose weight or change the way your body responds to saturated fats. The only contribution, if any, is the low-calorie count it comes with. Huel is a good meal powder but not what you need to support weight loss.
It is a similar story for Shakeology. While it is an excellent meal replacement shake, there is only so much that it does for weight loss. Though weight management is one of the benefits listed, Shakeology does not actively induce weight loss. By supporting the gut, digestive system, and general metabolism, the shake could help keep additional weight off and improve nutrient absorption. However, it does not include any system or ingredient that actively encourages weight loss. Another issue is the price. Paying approximately $130 a month is steep and is what usually makes customers start looking for Shakeology alternatives.
If weight loss is the goal, PhenQ is the way to go. PhenQ Complete Meal Shake is designed to reignite the AMPK response. This action alone supports fat-burning. Along with a calorie-deficit diet, appropriate exercise, and a healthier lifestyle, you should be able to experience weight loss in no time. If you wish, you could use the shake in tandem with the fat burner pills from PhenQ for a more streamlined weight loss effort. Of the three meal replacement shakes, only PhenQ is the one formulated exclusively to help you lose weight.
In case, you are still on the fence, here is a quick recap of all the information we have so far.
| Huel | Team Beachbody Shakeology | PhenQ Complete Meal Shake | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Provide a nutritionally balanced meal replacement shake with multiple health benefits. | To replace a meal with a nutritionally balanced shake, which helps to achieve optimum health. | Formulated to provide a meal replacement shake that supports weight loss efforts. |
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Allergens | None | None | Whey Protein |
| Flavors | 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Price | $47 | $129.95 | $64.99 |
| Refund Policy | 30-day refund window. | No defined refund policy. | 60-day money-back guarantee. |
Summary & Verdict
Weight loss is difficult, and adding a meal replacement shake to your diet plan could support your efforts. However, a lot depends on the supplement shake that you choose.
While Huel and Shakeology are good meal replacement brands, they may not be the best choice if you wish to increase weight loss. While they may benefit overall health and body function, they cannot induce fat burning. PhenQ Complete Meal Shake is designed as a part of a weight loss system. The shake can be used on its own as well and is formulated to reignite the body’s natural fat-burning system. This brings about better pound-shedding results and is the supplement that we would recommend.
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This is Paula. Welcome to my review site, i.e., www.phenofficial.com. Where you are about to stumble upon some of the world most effective weight loss products and formulas, that are Safe, naturally formulated, prescription-free and furnishes you with desirable results in just about a few months’ time.