I went on the milkshake diet which is supposedly cheaper than the food shops – saved £30 a week but suffered a nasty side effect

I’ve never identified with people who say they forget to eat lunch.

However, I identify with people who get so overwhelmed by hunger when it hits that they end up ordering their fifth take-out of the week.

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And after countless years of afternoon slumps due to poorly balanced lunches and late-night snacks to fill the void my protein-free dinner left, something had to change.

I decided to try Huel, affectionately known as the “milkshake diet” on social media.

In less than a decade, Huel has gained a cult following – and this despite the fact that its name comes from the combination of the words “Human” and “fuel” (that part seems a little strange to me).

The concept hasn’t changed much since it began in 2015, with all products being labeled as “nutritionally complete.”

This includes jars and sachets for pasta and rice flour, cereal bars, and of course, your go-to powdered meal replacements and ready-to-drink milkshakes.

Each product balances 26 essential vitamins and minerals, proteins, essential fats, carbohydrates, fiber and phytonutrients in one form or another – all plant-based.

For someone who usually eats a packet of Haribo Tangfastics for dinner when I can’t be bothered to cook, this was certainly a healthier option than the previous meal options.

I incorporated a ready-to-drink bottle into my diet for two weeks—replacing breakfast or lunch—to see if I could change my habits.

I was also hoping to save money on my weekly shopping and impromptu trips to the corner shops, as the nifty bottles cost £3.17 a serving – that’s less than a Chicago Town frozen pizza, by the way.

See how it went…

Days one to five

Wow, I felt bad. So sick – and still very hungry.

My brain struggled to adjust to the lack of solid food and I found myself starving shortly after downing an entire bottle of “cinnamon swirl.”

I also felt overcome with nausea within the first hour after drinking Huel.

No matter how slowly I consumed it, I felt very sluggish – and two hours later, I felt amazing.

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The strangest celebrity diets

It’s no secret that celebrities are willing to try some pretty crazy diets for the sake of their health.

Fabulous takes a look at some of the weirdest Hollywood’s finest have tried…

Internal cleaning with vinegar

Several celebrities, including Megan Fox, have claimed that vinegar is the perfect ingredient for detoxifying the body.

The Transformers actress admitted that the product is great for “cleansing your system”.

Baby food, large portions

It was widely reported that Jennifer Aniston was one of many celebrities who tried to die from baby foodt to lose weight for an acting role.

The fad is believed to have been started by health coach to the stars, Tracy Anderson, although she has since distanced herself from the trend.

Raw Eggs and Milk

Taking the ultra-processed-free diet to the next level, Marilyn Monroe admitted in 1952 that her regular breakfast consisted of two raw eggs beaten in warm milk.

Eating raw eggs can be risky as it can cause food poisoning, including salmonella and listeria.

Grapefruit craze

Celebrities such as Kylie Minogue and Brooke Shields have publicly acknowledged this diet, which involves eating grapefruit or drinking its juice with every meal to supposedly “burn” fat.

The rumor that grapefruit can “burn fat” has been widely refuted by experts, as it can only perform this function if consumed in large quantities.

It felt like pure sludge in my stomach, which churned whenever I moved – gross, I know.

Fortunately, it tasted better than any other meal replacement shake or protein powder I’ve tried — and none of the flavors I tried (cinnamon swirl, chocolate, strawberry, and cream) left an aftertaste.

The brand’s junior nutrition manager, Jessica Stansfield, assured me that my body’s initial disagreement with Huel wouldn’t last long — so I persevered.

“Despite its crucial role in maintaining health, fiber intake in the general population remains worryingly low,” explained Jessica.

It felt like pure mud in my stomach, which churned whenever I moved. Gross, I know

Josie O’BrienFabulous Senior Digital Writer

“Huel, on the other hand, is full of fiber, which is great! However, if you’re not used to it, it can be a shock to your system.

“This is completely normal and happens because your gut microbiome is adjusting to the new food source.”

Days six to 10

I was getting the hang of Huel.

The bottles also became an afternoon snack – and the “strawberries and cream” flavor was my favorite for that.

This stopped me from gorging on sweets and chocolate bars during the 3pm slump.

My performance at the gym also improved during this period.

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Maybe it was the increase in nutrients or the steadier protein intake, but I was able to lift more weight in the gym.

Even after a long day of commuting and working at the office, I still felt strong at the gym.

Nutritionist Jessica told me it’s “difficult to pinpoint the exact reasons” I experienced this surprising benefit — but a win is a win.

“For context, whole foods like Huel are formulated to provide a comprehensive, balanced nutritional profile for a wide range of people,” she explained.

Despite its crucial role in maintaining health, fiber intake in the general population remains worryingly low. Huel, on the other hand, is packed with fiber.

Jessica StansfieldNutritionist Huel

“Huel’s complex carbohydrates and proteins make it an ideal option to support exercise.

“However, Huel may be suitable for a number of reasons.”

Days 11 to 14

At the end of my two-week trial, I had not lost any weight or gained any muscle.

However, I gained a better sense of control over my diet and finances, as well as upping the ante at the gym.

I felt more motivated to go to the gym after work as I wasn’t recovering from any 3pm meltdowns, nor did I have weird food cravings on the days I consumed huel.

I saved around £30 a week by putting ready-to-drink replacement shakes in the fridge for when hunger strikes.

Knowing there was a nutritionally complete “meal” available saved me from impromptu snacking and indulging in McDonald’s breakfast or fried chicken for lunch.

And while I don’t see myself drinking Huel every day forever, I definitely plan to keep a stash of bottles in my fridge for those days when I haven’t planned my meals very well.