Meal replacements are becoming more and more sustainable options as actual food that can nourish you when you’re short on time. Compared to generations before us, we have many more options than just fast food or pre-packaged snacks when we’re on the go or have no time to meal prep.
Meal replacements can now be found in powder or liquid form, and they come in a variety of flavors. But which one is best for weight loss? In this article, we will compare three popular meal-replacement providers: Huel, Soylent, and Ka’Chava.
We will discuss their benefits and drawbacks, how they work, nutrients, calories, ingredients, pricing, and if meal replacements can truly replace a good meal and help you lose weight. Let’s get started!
Cutting to the chase: Best meal replacements
As always, we like to give you the most important information upfront. If you’re looking for the best meal replacement options for weight loss or to save you time, here is a quick comparison of the three providers:
 Huel offers the widest variety of meal replacement options, including powders, drinks, and bars. They also have three types of powders for those who want to target their nutrition plan precisely. This makes them a great choice for those who want to have complete control over their calorie and nutrient intake. |
 Soylent is the most cost-effective meal replacement option. Their ready-to-drink meals also represent the quickest and most convenient way to get your calories. If you’re looking for an easy and affordable meal replacement option, Soylent is a great choice. |
 Ka’chava is the most nutritionally complete meal replacement on the market. They use whole food ingredients, and their shakes contain over 85 superfood ingredients, a good spread of vitamins, and even pro/prebiotics. If you’re looking for a meal replacement that will give you the most bang for your buck in terms of nutrition, Ka’chava is the way to go. |
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As you can see, each of the three providers has its own distinct advantages. Soylent is the most affordable, Huel has the largest variation of meal replacement products, and Ka’chava is the most nutritionally complete meal replacement.
So, which one should you choose?
Well, we’re here to dig a little deeper and help you understand everything there is to know about meal replacements, including their benefits and drawbacks, how they work, nutrients, calories, ingredients, pricing, and if meal replacements can truly replace a good meal and help you lose weight. Keep reading to find out more!
What are meal replacement shakes, their benefits, and can they help you lose weight?
Meal replacement shakes have been around for quite some time now, one of the first being Slim-Fast back in 1973. The idea behind meal replacements is to provide a quick and easy way to get all the nutrients your body needs without having to prepare a meal.
Meal replacement shakes usually come in powder form that you mix with water or milk, and they typically contain a blend of protein, carbs, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Some also contain fat, but it’s generally in the form of healthy fats like Omega-three fatty acids.
The first thing we should address is the correct use of a meal replacement system. They are not a replacement for a balanced diet, but rather, should be used as a supplement to it when necessary.
The primary use of meal replacement shakes is to allow users to cut out the junk food and unhealthy snacks that often accompany traditional diets. This can lead to better eating habits and, as a result, improved health. Additionally, meal replacement shakes are an easy and convenient way to get all the nutrients your body needs in one meal.
Source: Soylent
Weight loss with meal replacements
When used correctly, meal replacement shakes can be a helpful tool in achieving your weight loss goals. But, as with any weight loss strategy, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Meal replacement shakes should not be used as snacks. They are meant to replace one or two meals per day, ideally breakfast and lunch. This will help ensure you’re still getting the nutrients your body needs while also cutting calories.
- Be sure to select a meal replacement shake that contains all the essential nutrients your body needs, including protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
- Don’t forget to supplement your shakes with healthy snacks and meals. This will help you reach your daily calorie goals and maintain a healthy diet.
Of course, meal replacement shakes aren’t a magic bullet, and they won’t work for everyone. But if you’re looking to cut calories and lose weight, they can be a helpful tool. Just be sure to use them wisely!
Meal replacement shakes vs protein shakes: What’s the difference?
On the surface, meal replacement shakes and protein shakes may seem similar. After all, they’re both powder-based beverages that can be mixed with water or milk, they’re both created for nutritional purposes, and they’re both designed to help you reach your fitness goals.
But there are some key differences between the two types of shakes that you should be aware of before you start using them as part of your diet.
Meal replacement shakes are designed to replace a whole meal. They’re usually high in calories and nutrients, and they can contain everything you need to feel satisfied – including protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals.
Protein shakes, on the other hand, are meant to be used as a supplement. They’re typically lower in calories and nutrients than meal replacement shakes, and they usually contain a much higher proportion of protein. Some protein shakes may also contain carbohydrates or fat, but it’s not their primary purpose.
So, which type of shake is right for you? It depends on your goals. If you’re trying to lose weight, then a meal replacement shake may be a good option. But, if you’re trying to build muscle, then a protein shake is probably a better choice.
Of course, there’s no need to choose between meal replacement shakes and protein shakes. You can always use both! Just be sure to pay attention to the calories and nutrients you’re taking in, so you don’t overdo it.
Which is the best meal replacement shake: Huel vs Soylent vs Ka’Chava
| Best meal replacement: Huel vs Soylent vs Ka'Chava | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal replacement options | Ready-to-drink & powder | Ready-to-drink & powder | Powder |
| Pricing (number of meals per bag and price per meal) | Huel Ready to Drink: starting at $50.50 for 12 bottles ($4.21 / bottle)
Powder: starting at $85 / bag ($2.50 / meal) | Soylent Ready To Drink: starting at $39 for 12 bottles ($3.25 / bottle)
Soylent Powder: starting at $58 / bag ($1.66 / meal) | Starting at $59.95 / bag ($3.99 / meal) |
| Serving size | Ready-to-drink: 500ml/16 fl oz ($0.26 / oz)
Powder: 100g/3.5oz ($0.70 / oz) | Ready-to-drink: 414ml/14 fl oz ($0.23 / oz)
Powder: 90g/3.1oz ($0.54 / oz) | 60g/2 oz ($1.99 / oz) |
| Nutrition information per serving (varies slightly by flavor) | Huel Ready-to-drink: 400 calories, 22g protein, 41g carbohydrates, 18g fat, 4g sugars
Huel Black Edition Powder: 400 calories, 40g protein, 25g carbohydrates,18g fat, 5g sugars Huel Powder v3.0: 400 calories, 30g protein, 45g carbohydrates, 13g fat, 1g sugars Huel Gluten-free Powder v3.0: 400 calories, 30g protein, 45g carbohydrates, 13g fat, 1g sugars | Soylent Ready To Drink: 400 calories, 20g protein, 36g carbs, 24g fat, 1g sugar
Soylent Powder: 400 calories, 20g protein, 42g carbs, 19g fat, 16g sugar | 240 calories, 25g protein, 24g carbohydrates, 7g fat, 6g sugar |
| Vitamins and minerals | Both Huel powders & ready-to-drink contain 27 vitamins & minerals | Both Soylent ready-to-drink and powders contain 28 vitamins & minerals | 25 vitamins & minerals 85+ superfood ingredients |
| Flavor options | Ready-to-drink: Chocolate, Banana, Berry, Vanilla, Salted Caramel, Cinnamon Roll, Strawberry Shortcake, Iced Coffee Caramel
Powder: Original, Unflavored, Vanilla, Chocolate, Cookies & Cream, Berry, Cinnamon Roll, Banana, Caffe Latte, Salted Caramel, Strawberry Shortcake, Peanut Butter, Coffee Caramel | Ready-to-drink: Original, Vanilla, Chocolate, Mint, Strawberry, Cafe Mocha, Cafe Latte, Cafe Chai, Banana
Powder: Original, Cacao | Chocolate, Vanilla, Chai, Coconut acai, Matcha |
| Gluten free options? | ✅ | ✅ All proucts | ✅ All proucts |
| Allergen free? (dairy, wheat, eggs, soy, shellfish, fish, tree nuts (including coconut) and peanuts.) | ❌ Contains tree nuts (coconut) | ❌ Contain soy | ❌ Contains tree nuts (coconut) |
| Soy free? | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Vegan? | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Customizable subscriptions? | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Free shipping? | 🟡 On orders over $59 | 🟡 On orders over $50 | 🟡 If you purchase 2+ bags |
| Refunds? | ✅ Unopened products | 🟡 Only if products arrived damaged or defective | ✅ Up to 1 bag of each flavor |
| Geographic availability | Worldwide | Worldwide | All US states & territories |
| Additional products avaialble? | Hot & Savory (plant-based instant meal) Complete Protein Bar Complete Protein Powder Huel Bar v3.1 Accessories Clothing | Protein Shakes Protein + Energy Shakes Nutrition Bars Merch | N/a |
| Website |
Huel meal replacement review
Huel was set up in 2014 by Julian Hearn and James Collier with a mission to make nutritionally complete, easy-to-make, great-tasting food, with zero waste. All of their products are vegan, and they use sustainable packaging.
What type of meal replacements does Huel offer?
Huel is a powder that you mix with water (or milk) to create a shake. You can either drink it as is or add it to other recipes. They also produce a range of their own pre-made meal shakes, bars, and snacks. They make it easy for you to bundle the products in order to create the best set for you.
What are their supplement facts?
Huel’s products are high in protein, low in sugar and fat, and contain all 26 essential vitamins and minerals. They are also a good source of fiber. They offer many different flavors and 3 different kinds of powder with different profiles depending on your goals – Huel Black Edition, Huel Powder v3.0, and Huel Gluten-free v3.0.
What are the ingredients in each blend?
The powder or shakes are made up of oats, pea protein, flaxseed, brown rice protein, sunflower lecithin, vitamins, and minerals.
What types of flavors does Huel offer?
Huel’s ready-to-drink options are Chocolate, Banana, Berry, Vanilla, Salted Caramel, Cinnamon Roll, Strawberry Shortcake, and Iced Coffee Caramel.
Between the 3 different kinds of powder meal replacement options, the flavor options are Original, Unflavored, Vanilla, Chocolate, Cookies & Cream, Berry, Cinnamon Roll, Banana, Caffe Latte, Salted Caramel, Strawberry Shortcake, Peanut Butter, and Coffee Caramel.
Source: Huel
Who is Huel suitable for?
Huel is best for anyone who wants a nutritious, convenient, and affordable meal. It is especially popular with people who are looking to lose weight, gain muscle, or improve their overall health.
Pregnant women and children under the age of 18 should consult a doctor before starting on Huel.
How do you prepare it?
Huel comes as a powder that you mix with water or milk. You can then drink it as-is or add it to a smoothie or other recipe. Huel also makes pre-made shakes and bars.
How much does Huel meal replacement cost?
Huel’s Ready to Drink bottles start at $50.50 for 12 bottles, which brings you to $4.21 / bottle.
Huel’s meal replacement powder starts at $85 per bag, which is $2.50 / meal.
Soylent meal replacement review
Soylent‘s mission statement is “to provide complete, convenient, affordable nutrition for everyone.” And it definitely accomplishes that. It’s also the most cost-effective meal replacement drink on the market. Soylent is a great solution for those who are looking for an easy and affordable way to get all the nutrients they need without having to cook or clean up.
What type of meal replacements does Soylent offer?
Soylent offers a powder that you mix with water, as well as a pre-mixed drink. The powder is more affordable, but the drink is more convenient. They also have protein and energy-specific shakes, as well as nutrition bars.
What are their supplement facts?
The powder has 400 calories, 20g of protein, 42g of carbs, and 19g of fat. The drink has 500 calories, 24g of fat, 36g of carbs, and 20g of protein.
Both the powder and the drink are vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO.
What are the ingredients in each blend?
The powder contains soy protein isolate, maltodextrin, isomaltulose, oat flour, sunflower oil, algal flour, calcium carbonate, magnesium citrate, salt, choline bitartrate, ascorbic acid, sucralose, and vanilla bean powder.
The drink contains water, soy protein isolate, maltodextrin, isomaltulose, sunflower oil, cane sugar, sodium alginate, potassium citrate, calcium phosphate, magnesium chloride, salt choline bitartrate, ascorbic acid sucralose.
Soylent contains a complete blend of essential vitamins and minerals. Each serving has 100% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI) for vitamins and minerals, making it a convenient way to get all the nutrients you need. Soylent is also high in protein and fiber and low in sugar and fat.
What types of flavors does Soylent offer?
Soylent offers a variety of flavors, including Original, Cacao, Cafe Mocha, Cafe Latte, Cafe Chai, Strawberry, Mint, and Vanilla. Soylent is unique because you can also add your own flavorings to customize your drink.
Who is Soylent suitable for?
As with Huel, it is suitable for those who want all their nutritional needs met in one drink, without having to think about preparing separate meals. It is also dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan.
How do you prepare it?
You simply mix the powder with water and shake it up. You can drink it as is, or add ice or fruit for a more refreshing beverage.
How much does it cost?
Soylent’s Ready To Drink bottles start at $39 for 12 bottles, or $3.25 a bottle/meal.
Soylent’s Powder starts at $58 / bag, which is $1.66 / meal.
Ka’Chava meal replacement review
Ka’Chava markets itself as a meal replacement shake, but it is really more of a nutritional supplement as the calories are much lower per serving. It is high in protein and fiber and low in sugar and contains a wide variety of vitamins and minerals. You can mix it with water or milk and add fruit or other flavorings to customize your drink.
What type of meal replacements does Ka’Chava offer?
Ka’Chava is only offered as a powder that you mix with water or milk. Ka’Chava also suggests many different recipe ideas in which to use their powders like smoothies and baked goods.
What are their supplement facts?
Ka’Chava is high in protein and fiber, low in sugar, and contains a wide variety of vitamins and minerals. Each serving of Ka’Chava has 240 calories with 25g protein, 24g carbs, 7g fat, and 6g sugar. While this does mean that the calories are lower, because of the lower end of carbs and fat, we would recommend this less as a meal replacement and more for the increased protein side of nutritional supplements.
What are the ingredients in each blend?
The ingredients in each blend of Ka’Chava vary, but all formulas contain a combination of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. All of the ingredients in Ka’Chava are organic and non-GMO.
Ka’Chava has the largest profile of nutrients and plant-based ingredients with over 85 different superfoods. This includes:
- Plant protein blend
- Adaptogen blend
- Antioxidant/super-fruit blend
- Omega EFA/fiber blend
- Super-grains/vegetable blend
- Pre and probiotic blends
- Digestive enzyme blend
- Vitamin & mineral blend (25 different vitamins and minerals)
What types of flavors does Ka’Chava offer?
Ka’Chava has five different flavors, including chocolate, vanilla, coconut acai, chai and strawberry. You can also add fruit or other flavorings to customize your drink.
Source: Ka’Chava
Who is it suitable for?
Because it is more of a nutritional supplement than a meal replacement, Ka’Chava is suitable for people of all ages and activity levels but is not recommended as a total meal replacement, especially for more than two meals a day consistently. This is best for someone who needs the additional intake as a healthy form with high nutritional value.
How do you prepare it?
Ka’Chava can be prepared with water or milk. Simply add the powder to a blender with your liquid of choice and blend until smooth. You can also add it to oatmeal, yogurt, or smoothies.
How much does it cost?
Ka’Chava is $69.95 for a 30-serving bag, but if you subscribe, the price drops to $59.95. This brings you to about $3.99/meal or $1.99/oz. Ka’Chava is definitely the priciest of the group per oz, but you are paying for the top-tier ingredients.
Customer reviews: What are customers saying about Huel, Soylent, and Ka’Chava?
Meal replacement shakes are very well known to be an acquired taste. They’ve gotten much better over the years, but along with a different taste, your body has to get used to a high-calorie, low-density intake all at once. Think about it – we pack ~500 calories into our body in a meal, which can take a longer period of time, more bites and chewing, and therefore slower digestion.
With a meal replacement shake, you tend to ingest 300-400 calories in a much smaller amount of time. While there are pros to this, we must remember to drink slow in order for our body to adjust! Many reviews looked at the immediate bodily side-effects and decided that the products weren’t for them – but keep this in mind before purchasing and consuming!
That being said, here are some of our internet users who were able to review the products online:
Huel Reviews
Soylent reviews
Ka’Chava Reviews
The verdict — do meal replacements really work?
When it comes right down to it, do meal replacements really work? The short answer is yes, but there are a few things to consider before you make the switch.
Meal replacements can be an effective way to lose weight, but they’re not for everyone. If you have trouble sticking to a diet or find yourself constantly snacking, meal replacements may not be the best option. It’s also important to keep in mind that meal replacements are not recommended for every meal. It is advised to continue to eat at least one solid meal a day, but talk to your doctor before making the switch!
Another thing to consider is the adjustment period mentioned above. If your body is not used to consuming a calorie-dense liquid in one sitting, you must remember to take it slow, especially the first few “meals”. This will give your body time to learn to digest and properly adjust to the new form of caloric intake.
That said, meal replacements can be a convenient and healthy option for busy people who don’t have time to cook or those who simply want to make healthier choices.
When choosing between Huel, Soylent, and Ka’Chava, it’s important to consider your goals, lifestyle, and dietary needs.
If you’re looking for a meal replacement that will help you lose weight, Huel and Soylent are good options. Both are higher in calories with the best balance of protein, carbs, and fat, which has been shown to be effective for weight loss in meal replacement. They also both offer both powders and ready-to-drink shakes, a great variety for someone on the go. Soylent is slightly cheaper per ounce, but Huel offers more flavors to choose from and more varieties of plant-based meal replacements on its website.
Ka’Chava contains fewer calories per serving and is higher in protein than carbs and fats, by ratio. This is a great option for someone looking for a more supplemental meal replacement (replacing one meal a day or got having on hand when you know you’ll be out for a long time). It is also the priciest option of the three but contains the largest profile of superfood ingredients.
Have you or someone you know tried Huel, Soylent, Ka’Chava, or any other real replacements before? We’d love to hear about your thoughts and experience in the comments below!
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