Huel for Diabetics: Okay for Diabetics? (type 1 & 2)

January 8, 2024 |

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In this article, I’ll discuss whether or not Huel’s products are suitable for people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Dealing with diabetes, you always have to be careful about your eating habits as you can’t ever be sure of the sugar content your meal might contain.

This restricts you to a stringent diet regime and consequently weighs you down on essential nutrients.

However, having reputable companies like Huel in the picture happens to be a lifesaver in that regard.

Not only that their almost-ready-to-consume meals cut the hassle of cooking when you’re trying to catch up on tight deadlines, but with all the healthful elements they contain, the risk of developing complications related to diabetes is also minimized.

To find out how and why is Huel good for diabetics, keep reading.

Is Huel Good for Diabetics?

Yes, nutritionists have approved, research has proved, and users have verified that Huel is suitable for people with diabetes.

The internet is flooded with positive reviews about it because it not only controls the blood glucose level but prevents the risk of diabetes as well.

Wondering How? Quite simple.

Huel products have low and complex carbohydrates and a low glycemic index of less than 55, which means that they slowly raise blood sugar levels upon consumption.

These complex carbohydrates come from oats, quinoa, brown rice, etc., that aren’t easily broken down into glucose, which is why they prevent glucose spikes after consumption.

The sweetness of Huel products is imparted by either natural sweeteners like stevia or artificial sweeteners like sucralose that might raise blood sugar levels.

But no worries, because if you are not comfortable consuming artificial sweeteners or sugar at all, Huel provides unsweetened options in their v3.0 Huel powder and zero artificial sweeteners in the Huel Black edition.

Huel has many ingredients which contribute to its anti-diabetic properties like polyphenols, phytonutrients, and micronutrients.

The micronutrient supplementation with Huel can help people with diabetes maintain healthy blood glucose levels.

Whereas thiamin in Huel’s products can alleviate the pain of neuropathy caused by diabetes, vitamin B12 is necessary to prevent its deficiency associated with the long-term use of metformin- an anti-diabetic medicine.

This 2020 paper has compiled research supporting the beneficial role of spore-forming bacteria Bacillus coagulans in metabolic diseases like diabetes.

And Huel’s complete protein powder has 100 million such probiotic spores in its products that promote gut health and overall well-being.

In a nutshell, Huel has a lot of good to offer to diabetics.

Huel and Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is different from Type 2 diabetes because you are genetically predisposed to it and basically have to live with it.

But by monitoring your food intake and making certain lifestyle changes, you can improve your quality of life. And the Huel diet is here to back you up by providing diabetes-friendly ready-prepared meals.

One aspect of type 1 diabetes is that you have to use either basal or bolus insulin to counter it.

Although Huel is safe and suitable for consumption by type 2 diabetics, its nutritional content has variable outcomes on people with different insulin regimes.

Thus people with type 1 diabetes have mixed experiences with Huel.

Huel products contain Medium-Chain-Triglycerides (MCTs) as an energy source that help the body produce ketones that are your brain’s food.

MCTs can help people with type 1 diabetes counter brain fog during low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

Then this clinical trial found that more than 30g of fiber per day reduces inflammation in diabetes type 1.

And Huel black powder provides 41g of fiber per day, whereas Huel white powder has 36g of fiber per day, and the fiber content in Huel hot and savoury can reach as high as 72g.

All in all, Huel has got all the fiber you need to fight back diabetes-induced inflammation.

Moving on, 6% of people with type 1 diabetes have celiac disease, and it is proven that going gluten-free can stabilize the blood glucose level in them. And thus, gluten-free Huel products are beneficial for type 1 diabetics.

Kylo, a type 1 diabetes patient, writes on Reddit that 8 plus months into the Huel diet have helped her lower her HbA1c levels from 57 to 48 in 6 months. And many in this thread have agreed to it.

Kenro Brich is a type 1 diabetic and has experience with both white and black Huel powders.

According to her experience, Huel black powders are better suited for insulin bolus, whereas Huel white powder is more appropriate with the basal insulin injection.

Huel and Type 2 Diabetes

Unlike type 1 diabetes which is caused by an interplay of genes, type 2 diabetes can be caused by environmental factors, the food you eat, or the weight you have put on – obesity.

In that regard, the Huel diet may reduce the chances of developing type 2 diabetes or help you completely get rid of it by making the task of achieving a healthy weight easy and enjoyable.

The Huel diet has been lauded by type 2 diabetics for helping them manage their blood sugar levels.

One of the Huelers is James Wong, who was diagnosed with pre-diabetes used Huel for 30 days and his blood sugar levels came back to normal.

And he went back to the hospital with his second blood test just to hear the doctor declare him “no longer a pre-diabetic.”

Let’s dig into the details of how it would’ve happened.

The high fiber content in Huel products is contributed by oats and flaxseeds and helps lower HbA1c levels in type 2 diabetes.

This clinical trial discovered that chromium supplementation could reduce insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes.

And, the chromium content in Huel products is more or less within the recommended dietary range, which may have favorable outcomes in type 2 diabetics.

Then a clinical trial on Chinese subjects showed that MCTs reduce insulin resistance in type 2 diabetics. And Huel products have Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) from coconut oil as an energy source. Win-win!

Furthermore, whole grains can prevent type 2 diabetes. Huel contains whole oats powder in it, which is in accordance with the mentioned research, and thus it is beneficial for exerting a protective effect.

It is believed that a high protein diet does not increase blood sugar levels.

But this 2016 research found that the type of protein affects type 2 diabetes differently in the long term.

A high animal protein diet is linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, contrary to plant protein.

And Huel powders contain a blend of plant proteins from 6 sources: brown rice, pea, hemp, flaxseed, pea, and fava.

All in all, if used mindfully, Huel products can help you deal with your blood glucose levels effectively.

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Everything Else to know about Huel for Diabetics

Is HUEL sugar-free?

No, all the Huel products aren’t entirely sugar-free. But they do have an unsweetened version of their Huel Powder v3.0, which is completely sugar-free.

Does HUEL raise blood sugar?

Huel diet does not spike up blood glucose levels. In one experiment performed by Huel, only a small increase was observed in the glucose level within 135 minutes of consuming Huel black or white powder.

Does Huel Black have artificial sweeteners?

No, Huel black is free from artificial sugars and has 5g of natural sweeteners like stevia and coconut sugar for adding sweetness.

How many grams of sugar are in a Huel?

  • The complete protein powder has less than 0.5g of sugar per portion.
  • The Huel white powder and protein bars have less than 1% sugar per serving.
  • The ready-to-drink shakes have only 4g sugar per 2000 calories meal.
  • Huel Black edition powder has 5g natural sweeteners per serving.
  • And, the Huel hot and savoury have 5g of total sugars in it.

Final Thoughts

To conclude, the Huel diet has a positive potential in preventing and managing type 2 diabetes.

The benefits of the Huel diet for diabetics can be linked to its potential to control obesity and the meticulously picked ingredients in the product that serves well to the diabetic’s needs.

Although Huel is safe and suitable for consumption by type 1 diabetics, those using insulin showed variable experiences with their glucose spikes after consuming Huel.

Therefore, to be on the safe side if you are taking some medicines, it is best to consult your doctor before adopting the Huel diet either for weight loss or convenience.

I hope this article has cleared all your ambiguities regarding the efficacy and safety of using Huel products being a diabetic.

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