Ka’chava Vs Huel: Which Meal Replacement Is The Best?

When it comes to eating healthy, time might be your worst enemy. Most experts recommend Ka’chava and Huel as two of the most widely recognized “Meal Replacement Shakes” products.

These are two of the most popular meal replacement companies around, offering tasty, practical solutions for people who might be too busy to prepare meal shakes on a consistent basis. 

Also, they’re great ways to supplement or increase your protein intake, especially if you’re vegan/vegetarian. But with so many similarities between Ka’chava and Huel, which one would you choose?

And, while both companies have slightly different perspectives on how they view their “meal replacement shakes,” how do they differ in this regard? In general, Kachava is the more natural shake, whereas Huel is more functional and affordable.

This article compares Ka’chava and Huel meal replacement shakes to help you decide which one is better for you and where to start in various crucial aspects such as flavor, texture, side effects, nutritional value, and many more.

Without any further ado, let’s get started on this Ka’chava vs Huel comparison.

Brief Introduction 

Ka’chava 

Ka’chava is a plant-based meal replacement shake that is completely vegan and free from any additives. The meal replacement shake is gluten-free, and dairy-free, and doesn’t contain any artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors.

The meal replacement from Ka’chava is available in five different flavors: Coconut Acai, Chocolate, Vanilla, and Chai Matcha. 

Ka’chava claims to support your immune system, mind, energy, and digestion, and promote muscle gain with the help of its superfood blend.

Ka’chava meal replacement is packed with protein, fiber, adaptogen, and antioxidants while having a rich vitamin and mineral profile.

Huel 

Huel is the new generation of meal replacement that can be consumed on the go and is much cheaper than your normal meals. 

It claims itself to be a nutritionally complete meal replacement containing all essential 27 nutrients. 

Besides its famous meal replacement powder Huel also has Huel Hot & Savoury in its supplement stack. It is similar to the meal replacement however it will need little cooking and can be eaten. 

Just like Ka’chava, Huel is also packed with carbs, protein, fats, and fiber. However, a more detailed breakdown of the ingredients and their nutrition will be done in the later section. 

Among its ready-to-drink meals, Huel has four more flavors to offer than Ka’chava, And on the inverse Ka’chava has expanded its flavor profiles to one.

These are some of the straightforward flavors, and also offer some more complex options available from Huel:

• Vanilla
• Chocolate
• Banana
• Salted caramel
• Cinnamon roll
• Cookies & cream
• Berry
• Strawberry
• Ice coffee caramel

Nutrition: Ka’chava Vs Huel

Winner: Ka’chava

From a nutritional standpoint, we found Ka’chava to beat Huel in nearly every way. Its shakes have a better macronutrient balance, a more comprehensive vitamin & mineral package, and less fatty content than Huel, and this is the reason I prefer Ka’chava over Huel.

Let’s take a look at each nutritional component to see why I chose Ka’chava for nutrition. 

Macronutrient Balance	A food’s macronutrient balance is the proportion of carbohydrates, fat, protein, and fiber. I found Huel shakes to be a little too fatty compared to Ka’chava shakes, and have a more balanced macro profile than Huel.
Protein	Each company’s protein sources are as important to us as their product’s protein content.Huel not only has 5g more protein than Ka’chava, but both shakes contain pea protein rather than soy protein, and Ka’chava combines pea protein with organic whole grain brown rice protein, organic sacha inchi, organic amaranth, and organic quinoa. This can have an impact on people who are allergic to soy because pea protein has a considerably more comprehensive amino acid profile than soy.
Vitamin and Minerals	Compared to Ka’chava, Huel includes all 27 of its vitamins and minerals in its shakes, and the quantities are either on par with those found in Ka’chava.
Allergens	Between Ka’chava and Huel, Ka’chava has far fewer allergens. Both of them rely on peas as a protein source and have plant-based protein, whereas – Huel has more processed ingredients and synthetic additives. That said, all of the Ka’chava Shakes are gluten-free, instead of just a few, as in the case with Huel.

The biggest nutritional difference between Ka’chava and Huel is the ingredients used in each smoothie. Huel shakes have all of the essential nutrients, but Ka’chava shakes contain all of the essential nutrients as well as a plethora of non-essential nutrients.

In addition, unlike huel shake, Ka’chava has different blends that are meant to help with different aspects of health such as probiotics, digestive enzymes, a superfood blend, and an adaptogens blend.

Huel is a good source of omega-3 (4.0g) and omega-6 (3.0g) fatty acids, which are necessary for heart health maintenance, inflammation reduction, and enhanced cognitive function. 

Huel also includes medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which come from coconut oil and have been demonstrated to increase energy and may aid in weight loss. The potent antioxidants lutein, lycopene, and zeaxanthin are next. 

Finally, but just as importantly, Huel contains Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856, a probiotic strain that helps support gut health, which is crucial for general health.

Ingredients Comparison Of Ka’chava And Huel

Each flavor of Ka’chava and Huel has slightly different ingredients but most of the ingredients used are the same. So we will compare the ingredients of their popular Vanilla flavors. 

Ka’chava Ingredients:

Here are the ingredients of the Ka’chava meal replacement Vanilla Flavor:

Ka’chava has categorized its ingredients into different blends such as the Plant-Based Protein Blend, Omega EFA/ Fiber Blend, Adaptogenic Blend, and Digestive Blend to name some. 

These blends make Ka’chava more nutrition-dense, however, the amount of individual ingredients couldn’t be found. Ka’chava only mentions the amount of its proprietary blend used. 

Here is the complete list of blends that make Ka’chava meal replacement:

1. Plant-Based Protein Blend

Each serving of Ka’chava offers you 25g of protein that can make up for about 50% of your daily protein intake. 

The plant-based protein blend is a blend of different plant-based protein sources that can assist your muscle growth and recovery after workouts. The ingredients of this blend come together to make up for a complete amino-acid profile. 

2. Omega EFA/Fiber Blend

The fiber blend is basically made from various types of seeds like Oats, Chia, Flax, and Acacia gums. Being high in fiber, these can be great to fill you up for a long time. 

Besides being high in fiber, they are also rich in Omega-3 fatty acids which can help prevent anxiety and depression while also boosting your cardiovascular health. 

3. Antioxidant/Super-Fruit Blend

Antioxidants are substances that prevent free-radical damage to your body that are mainly responsible for aging and inflammation. 

The antioxidant and super-fruit blend contains ingredients like Coconut flower, blackberry, raspberry, blueberry, and strawberry. These ingredients are mainly known for their antioxidant properties. 

4. Adaptogen Blend

Adaptogens are chemical substances that help your body adapt to environmental stress. This blend mainly supports your energy level by causing less fatigue, making you focused, and promoting relaxation.

The Adaptogenic blend of Ka’chava contains ingredients like Maca root, ginger root, and different species of Mushrooms. 

5. Super-Greens/Vegetable Blend

The super-greens blend contains ingredients like Beet, Carrot, Cabbage, Parsley, Cucumber, Garlic, Tomato, and various other supergreens. 

Supergreens contain the essential vitamins and minerals that are needed for optimal body functioning. Besides making up for a balanced diet, super greens have many health benefits like boosting energy, immunity, digestion, and skin health. 

6. Probiotic/Prebiotic Blend

The probiotics are good bacteria that can help with better absorption of nutrients in your digestive system. Prebiotics help to keep up the health of your gut microbiota. 

Ka’chava contains probiotics like Lactobacillus, Rhamnosus, and Acidophilus, and Inulin as prebiotics.

7. Digestive enzyme Blend

Ka’chava digestive enzyme blend contains enzymes like amylase, lactose, protease, and lipase. Digestive enzymes can be useful for improving your digestive system.

Huel Ingredients

Just like Ka’chava Huel also has similar ingredients in all its flavors. Here are the ingredients in Huel Meal Replacement Vanilla Flavor. 

The ingredients in Huel are stacked together instead of separating them into blends. While Ka’chava provides some details on the amounts of blend they use, Huel doesn’t disclose any details on their dosage.

Huel offers 29 g of protein, 45g of carbs, and 19g of fats in each scoop. Huel also has a rich profile of Vitamins and minerals containing all the essentials. 

The main ingredients of Huel meal replacement powder are oats, flaxseed, brown rice protein, pea protein, and sunflower oil. 

Ka’chava has more amount whole foods and plant-based ingredients when compared with Huel.

Pros: Ka’chava Vs. Huel

Comparing Ka’chava and Huel can get complicated considering the breadth of each company’s offerings. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of Ka’chava and Huel and how they compare in these categories.

Ka’chava Pros

• Provides you with 25 grams of protein, plus fiber per serving to promote fullness.
• Include probiotics and prebiotics for better & improved digestion.
• Has many nutrient blends to help you in various aspects of health & wellness.
• Provides you with a good balance of micronutrients. 
• Made primarily of organic ingredients, it is entirely plant-based.
• It contains 85+ natural, healthful, and whole-food-based ingredients. 

Huel Pros

• Easy to prepare and provides a balanced mix of complex carbohydrates, high-quality protein, essential healthy fats, and all 27 essential vitamins and minerals.
• Excellent macronutrient profile, especially for those following bodybuilding regimens.
• Unlike Ka’chava, Huel is a great source of vegan Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids for heart health.
• Similarly, it is rich in vitamins and minerals.
• For those tracking calories, it could simplify calorie counting.
• Contains powerful antioxidants and MCTs for energy levels and weight loss.

Cons: Ka’chava Vs. Huel

After considering some of the pros offered by these two companies, it’s time to consider the drawbacks/cons of Ka’chava and Huel.

Ka’chava Cons

• More expensive than comparable products.
• The exact amounts of ingredients aren’t disclosed, so it’s hard to know if they are present in helpful amounts.
• 240 calories per serving may leave you hungry.
• No third-party testing certification to verify quality and purity.
• The ingredients in Ka’chava are deemed safe, but they are not completely allergy-friendly. It does include natural flavors and gums, and many individuals report or experience moderate stomach issues after drinking Ka’Chava.

Huel Cons

• Potential for digestive upset, due to its high fiber content.
• Not widely accessible.
• It contains coconut, which is an allergen.
• The evaluations for taste are mixed, according to Trustpilot. Customers either love or do not like the aftertaste and texture.

Health Benefits Of Huel And Ka’chava

Ka’chava Health Benefits

Ka’chava is a completely plant-based meal replacement shake that is easy to prepare and can be consumed on the go. 

Here are the key benefits of Ka’chava meal replacement powder:

• High in protein (25g protein/ serving)
• Contains antioxidants to prevent free-radical damage
• Improves overall digestion 
• Promotes satiety and boosts energy level
• Supports weight loss

Huel Health Benefits

Huel comes in 9 different flavors and has a higher protein content than Ka’chava meal replacement powder. Also, it is more affordable.

Here are the key benefits of Huel powder:

• More affordable compared to most meal replacement powders including Ka’chava
• High in protein (29g protein/serving)
• Has a good vitamin and mineral profile
• Low in calories and can support weight loss
• Promotes muscle growth and immune system health

Side Effects: Ka’chava Vs. Huel

Ka’chava ingredients are safe, but not entirely allergen-friendly. It contains coconut and is manufactured on equipment that also processes milk, tree nuts, wheat, soy, and other allergens.

Ka’chava does contain probiotics as listed in their supplement facts, and the probiotics have been known to cause mild side effects including abdominal pain, gas, and diarrhea (1).

Other than these effects Ka’chava shake also includes natural flavors and gums as sweetener, and flavoring agents in some of their flavors, 

And if you’re trying to avoid these two ingredients then Ka’chava products have no such offering as an unflavored version of Huel.

Furthermore, no independent third-party testing has approved their meal replacement shake, and no scientific studies have assessed its safety.

For those who are sensitive to fiber, Huel meal replacement powder may cause some gastrointestinal upset due to its high fiber content. After drinking Huel, some users have had GI problems such as gas, bloating, diarrhea, and others.

Huel also contains coconut, which is considered a tree nut similar to the case of Ka’chava. Therefore, those who are allergic to tree nuts should be aware of this and refrain from using Huel if they are also allergic to coconut.

This meal replacement powder flavored version contains sucralose also known as Splenda, an artificial sweetener, some people do not like the inclusion of these ingredients as an artificial sweetener or flavoring agents.

But not to worry, Huel offers its unflavored versions for people who don’t like or avoid artificial sweeteners, and this unflavored version of Huel is sweetened naturally by blending it with a handful of berries or bananas.

Lastly, It’s always a good idea to consult with your doctor before starting a supplement routine to confirm the product is suited for you. This is particularly important if you are nursing a baby, pregnant, or have a history of health issues. 

Who has the best prices? Which Is Cheap, Ka’chava or Huel?

Winner: Huel

So, based on the cost comparison between Ka’chava and Huel, Huel is simply a lot cheaper than Ka’chava in price per meal. Huel charges about $2 for each serving or meal, while Kachava charges $5.

Apart from this metric, Ka’chava subscription costs are low and you’ll typically be able to save $10 per bag on $70 per bag if you choose to purchase Ka’chava for one time.

Nevertheless, Huel’s 20% membership discount makes it simpler to calculate your potential savings, even though it falls short of what the other companies are offering.

Ka’chava subscription programs let you or give you benefits such as pause, delay change frequency, or switch flavors or quantities.

On many products, nevertheless, there is a minimum quantity purchase required on the Huel website. You have at least two bags of shake mixes if you want to check out, then you can head over to their official product page.

This may have the unintended consequence of making it more expensive than required for anyone desiring to just take a single product from their official website.

We’ve created a simple pricing comparison chart for both companies, including their one-time purchase option and subscription or discount programs.

Powdered/drinks meal replacements	Ka’chava	Huel
One time purchase	$4.66	$2.12
After discount or Subscription programs	$3.99	$2.00

Summary: Which One Is The Best?

Both Ka’chava and Huel stand differently when compared. There are some things that you will like about Ka’chava while a few things are disappointing as well. The same applies to Huel. 

With Ka’chava meal replacement you get more plant-based and whole food ingredients. But, the cost per serving is more expensive than most meal replacements.

Huel meal replacement shakes are high in protein compared to Ka’chava. While with each scoop of Ka’chava, you get 25g of protein, each serving of Huel provides you with 29g of protein. 

However, with Huel you get fewer plant-based ingredients and probiotics when compared with Ka’chava. However, Huel meal replacement shakes are more affordable and pocket-friendly compared to Ka’chava shakes. 

Nevertheless, both these meal replacements are missing each ingredient’s dosage. 

Huel is the winner among the comparisons of Ka’chava Vs. Huel since it is more affordable (only $2.21 price per meal) compared to Ka’chava ($4.66 price per meal). You can also choose an unflavored version of Huel but Ka’chava does not have any unflavored version.

Also, where Ka’chava only comes in 5 different flavors, Huel powders have 9 different flavors to choose from making it more favorable for customers. 

If you are more picky about the ingredients and want something that is more plant-based, then Ka’chava could be the right choice for you.