Huel vs Ka’chava vs Soylent: Diet Expert Says Only Use This Kachava Alternative

When deciding if Huel vs Kachava vs Soylent is better, looking at categories such as taste, price and ingredients, taste, price, ingredients, and overall nutritional value nutrients can help decide which one is best for you.⁹

Of course, research has shows that meal replacements can have a positive impact on body composition but not all meal replacements are made equally.¹

Thus, a diet expert reviews all three and suggests Soylent is recommended due to its low cost and solid nutritional value, but both Huel vs Kachava are winners in other categories if cost isn’t a prohibitive factor.

All in all, it’s clear they all are fantastic options for a healthy meal replacement but the best one for an individual can vary based on their goals such as weight loss or muscle building, and the amount of protein, calories, and other nutrients in each.

An Overview of Huel

Huel was founded in 2015 and is a plant-based meal replacement that contains 27 essential vitamins, minerals, proteins, essential fats, carbs, fiber, and phytonutrients.

It was created as a solution to the problem seen so often, people being too busy to meal-prep and consistently not getting all of the nutritional items needed and instead turning to fast food and overly-processed items.

Source: ภาพของ Chakrapong Worathat via Canva.com¹⁰

Because of this, Huel was created and formulated by Registered Nutritionists and Dietitians to help find an affordable and healthy solution to this problem. Interestingly, Huel got its name from combining the words human and fuel which showcases their mission and hope for the product which is creating an affordable, easy-to-use, fueling, and healthy option.

Additionally, Huel has been shown to significantly increase vitamin levels and decrease waist circumference after consuming Huel for 4 weeks.²

A Look at Kachava

Kachava was founded in 2014 with a similar mindset as Huel, creating a meal replacement option that is healthy, full of whole nutrition, and easy to use for those on the go.

The issue of being too busy and not having the time to create and consume healthy meals and get all of the proper nutrition the body needs was also something Kachava hoped to address.

This meal replacement is created with a blend of organic superfoods and plant-based proteins, affording the opportunity to get all of the essential nutrients in one meal. There are over 85 superfoods, nutrients, and plant-based ingredients found in Kachava making it a great, healthy option.

Kachava is only offered as a powder so there are no additional products such as Kachava bottles of ready-to-drink.

Soylent Overview & Review

Soylent is a complete plant protein that has low sugar and carbs and has 39 essential nutrients.

The idea of Soylent started in 2013 in Silicon Valley where the co-founders were working together and consistently eating frozen and processed meals. These software engineers wanted to create a simplified, better version of food.

Soylent started as a pouch of powdered food and evolved into powders, drinks, and bars.

Their mission is to make complete nutrition accessible, appealing, and affordable to all. They have gone so far as to make their products accessible to all by creating the “Soylent For Good” program that has donated millions of meals to those in need.

Which Is More Nutritious: Huel, Kachava, or Soylent?

With so many options out there such as Herbalife shakes, it’s important to compare Huel vs Kachava vs Soylent to find the best option and it’s clear to see they all provide a quality meal replacement option.

Source: NielsBB from Pixabay¹¹

From looking at all of the ingredients present, Kachava provides a breadth of quality ingredients that go above and beyond the other two options. While any of these will be a good choice for those looking for a quality meal replacement, Kachava may give you the best bang for your buck when looking at nutrition and ingredient quality while also keeping in mind it does have a higher price point.

Someone may also wonder when it is too late to drink a protein shake and the answer is there really isn’t a straight answer! Casein protein is best for late-at-night consumption because of the length of time it takes to digest.

It is important to note that Huel, Kachava, and Soylent do not contain casein protein. 

Each item offers a variety of different products so to keep the comparisons fair this next section is comparing the powder formulas for each brand.

Huel’s Nutrient Profile

Huel has a variety of different products available such as Hot & Savory which are plant-based instant meals with Huel food reviews stating they are flavorful and easy to make, Huel Protein Powder, Black Edition, Essential, Ready-to-drink, Bar, Complete Protein, and Complete Protein Bar.

This section will break down the nutrient profile and important information for the Huel Powder formula.

While the specific nutrition information will slightly vary based on the flavor, here is the information for the chocolate powder for 1 serving which is 2 scoops (100 grams).

• Fat: 13 grams
• Saturated Fat: 3 grams
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 7 grams
• Trans Fat: <0.5 grams
• Monounsaturated Fats: 2.5 grams
• Sodium: 370mg
• Carbohydrates: 45 grams
• Fiber: 8 grams
• Sugar: 1 gram
• Added Sugar: 1 gram
• Protein: 29 grams
• Calories: 400

Huel Black Nutrition Facts

Another offering Huel has is Huel Black which has 50% fewer carbs, 33% more protein, is gluten-free, and has no artificial sweeteners, while also containing the same 27 essential vitamins and minerals. Making this a great option for those wanting a higher protein and lower carb option.

Here is a highlight of some of the notable differences in the nutrition breakdown between Huel Powder and Huel Black.

Macro Split: 17% net carbs, 40% protein, 40% fat, 3% fiber.

Carbohydrates: The carb count is 50% less than the regular Huel powder and that is because tapioca starch is the primary carbohydrate in Huel Black. Additionally, there is some organic coconut sugar added to sweeten the drink while keeping the carb count low and having no artificial sweeteners.

Protein: There is 33% more protein in Huel Black, specifically 40 grams of protein. All essential amino acids are included coming from the sources of pea protein, brown rice protein, and flaxseed.

Phytonutrients: These are substances found in plant foods that have health benefits and have been shown to prevent disease risk. Huel Black is already phytonutrient-rich but additional phytonutrients have been added to the Black formula to complement the antioxidant nutrients.

Probiotics & Kombucha: Huel contains probiotics that are good for gut health. Additionally, kombucha is a fermented product from bacteria and yeast that provides Vitamin B and has been shown helpful in the treatment of obesity.³

Here is the nutrition breakdown for the Huel Black.

• Fat: 17 grams
• Saturated Fat: 3 grams
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 11 grams
• Trans Fat: <0.5 grams
• Monounsaturated Fats: 2.5 grams
• Sodium: 420mg
• Carbohydrates: 24 grams
• Fiber: 8 grams
• Sugar: 4 grams
• Added Sugar: 4 grams
• Protein: 40 grams
• Calories: 400

Kachava Nutrition Label Details + Kachava Carbs

While the specific nutrition information will slightly vary based on the flavor, here is the information for the chocolate powder for 1 serving which is 2 scoops (62 grams).

• Fat: 7 grams
• Saturated Fat: 4.4 grams
• Trans Fat: 0 grams
• Carbohydrates: 25 grams
• Fiber: 7 grams
• Sugar: 7 grams
• Added Sugar: 1 grams
• Protein: 25 grams
• Calories: 240

Soylent Nutritional Information

Below is the nutritional information for the Soylent chocolate powder for 1 serving size which is ⅔ cup (90 grams).

• Fat: 20 grams
• Saturated Fat: 2.5 grams
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 4 grams
• Trans Fat: 0 grams
• Monounsaturated Fats: 13 grams
• Sodium: 320mg
• Carbohydrates: 41 grams
• Fiber: 6 grams
• Sugar: 15 grams
• Added Sugar: 15 grams
• Protein: 20 grams
• Calories: 400

Does Huel vs Kachava vs Soylent Have a Better Combination & Quality of Ingredients?

Overall Kachava seems to have the most high-quality ingredients including over 85 superfoods. This is because their ingredients are sourced only from farmers with sustainable and ethical practices and each ingredient is rigorously screened and tested for allergens, impurities, toxins, and more.

Additionally, all ingredients go through third-party testing and a majority of the ingredients are organic.

Each meal replacement does have quality ingredients and all would be an effective meal replacement option. Someone may also wonder are protein shakes good for weight loss, and both meal replacements and protein shakes can be effective for losing weight.  

See below for a breakdown of the ingredients of Huel vs Kachava vs Soylent.

An Inspection of Huel Ingredients

Macro Split: 37% net carbs, 30% fat, 30% protein, 3% fiber

Carbohydrates: The carbs are made from ultra-fine powdered oats. It’s important to note that oats have been chosen and they have a low glycemic index (GI).

GI is valuable as it assesses a food’s carbs and how they’re absorbed into the body and impact blood sugar levels.⁴

The oats used in the powder provide vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients as well.

Fats: The fats in Huel are made from flaxseed, sunflower, and coconut which provide essential fatty acids and are rich in monounsaturated fat and omega-3s and 6s. Furthermore, Huel contains two essential fatty acids we require, linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid.

The blend of flaxseed and sunflower oil powder ensures there is sufficient omega 3 and omega 6.

Protein: All 20 of the essential amino acids are included in the Huel powder taken from pea and brown rice protein, oat powder, flaxseed, and MCT powder.

Vitamins & Minerals: Huel has 27 essential vitamins and minerals, derived from both natural ingredients and an added unique vitamin and mineral formula. Some of the key micronutrients found in the Huel powder are vitamin C provided by acerola cherries, choline, and iodine.

Phytonutrients: These are not essential but beneficial as they have been shown to help prevent diseases.⁵ Here are the phytonutrients that have been added to the powder, avenanthramides, ferulic acid, lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin.

Probiotics & Kombucha: Huel powder provides the probiotic Bacillus coagulants which is good for gut health and Kombucha which provides vitamin B.

A Look at Ingredients in Kachava

Kachava is complete with 85+ superfoods and plant-based ingredients.

Plant Protein Blend: Kachava is composed of 5 different proteins to help sustain fullness throughout the day, maintain stable blood sugar, and help build muscle and get stronger. 

The 5 proteins are organic sacha inchi protein, yellow pea protein, organic whole grain brown rice protein, organic amaranth, and organic quinoa.

Adaptogen Blend: These are a group of plants that have the potential to help the body recover from physical and mental stressors.⁶ They have been shown to have a balancing effect based on the body’s needs.

These are organic maca root, organic shiitake mushroom, organic maitake mushroom, organic reishi mushroom, organic ginger, and organic cordyceps mushroom.

Antioxidant & Super-Fruit Blend: These have been shown to neutralize free radicals that could contribute to stress and chronic health problems.

The list found in Kavacha is organic coconut flower nectar, acai berry, Camu Camu berry, organic blueberry, organic tart cherry, organic blackberry, organic strawberry, organic maqui berry, and organic raspberry.

Omega & Fiber Blend: This blend helps reduce inflammation and support cardiovascular, and brain health while also keeping someone full and supporting a healthy gut.⁷

The list found in Kavacha is chia seeds, flax seeds, organic pure whole-grain oat, and organic acacia gum.

Supergreens & Vegetable Blend: These provide fiber and have also been shown to prevent the risk of disease.

The list includes all items that are organic which are, beetroot, chlorella, moringa, kale, broccoli, green tea, parsley leaf, celery, cauliflower, spinach, Brussel sprouts, asparagus, green pepper, garlic, carrot, cucumber, cabbage, green onion, and tomato.

Digestive Enzyme Blend: These are important as they help break down the food and provide optimal nutrient absorption. While they are produced naturally in the body there isn’t always enough which is why Kachava has included these in their products.

Amylase, protease, cellulase, lactase, and lipase are the present enzymes.

Probiotics & Prebiotics: Probiotics and prebiotics are bacteria that help boost gut and overall health. Inulin, lactobacillus rhamnosus, and lactobacillus acidophilus are the probiotics and prebiotics included.

Vitamin & Mineral Blend: Vitamins and minerals are essential for cell function, growth, and development. There are also vitamins that help with weight loss.

Many people nowadays do not get the needed amounts of these from their diet. There are 25 vitamins and minerals found in Kachava.

Soylent Ingredient & Contents

There is slightly less information on the Soylent website on all the ingredients included in the products but here is an overview of the top things.

• 28 vitamins & minerals
• Contains all 9 essential amino acids and 40% of daily protein needs.
• Includes Omega 3 and Omega 6 for heart health and to keep someone feeling full throughout the day.
• Dairy and nut free.

Back to Back Comparison of Huel vs Kachava vs Soylent Bars, Drinks & Powders

Looking at the breakdown of the overview of each brand’s powder it is clear to see Kachava has the most vitamins and minerals while also including probiotics and prebiotics. The sugar content and calories are right in the middle compared to the other two but because of the added probiotics, prebiotics, and vitamins and minerals, Kachava wins out in this category.

Source: Element5 Digital from Pexels¹²

Another comparison and competition are Kachava vs Shakeology.

While it can sometimes be tough to come up with weight loss solutions, utilizing meal replacement shakes can be helpful.   

Break Down of Huel, Kachava, and Soylent’s Protein Powder

Looking at the breakdown between the 3 protein powders, it’s clear Huel has the lowest calorie and sugar option. Huel also offers more flavors and probiotics and prebiotics. On the other hand, Kachava is a close second with slightly more calories and sugar in addition to more protein.

It also has an abundance of superfoods, nutrients, and vitamins compared with the other two.

Kachava

• Calories: 240
• Protein: 25g
• Sugar: 6g
• Probiotics & Prebiotics: Yes
• Vitamins & Minerals: 85+ superfoods, nutrients, & vitamins
• Number of Flavors: 5

Huel

• Calories: 110
• Protein: 20g
• Sugar: <0.5g
• Probiotics & Prebiotics: Yes
• Vitamins & Minerals: 27
• Number of Flavors: 6

Soylent

• Calories: 400
• Protein: 20g
• Sugar: 15g
• Probiotics & Prebiotics: No
• Vitamins & Minerals: 28
• Number of Flavors: 2 powders, 6 flavors boosts

Huel & Soylent Ready-To-Drink Comparison

Huel and Soylent offer very similar ready-to-drink formulas but between the two Huel is the winner because the protein is slightly higher and there are also probiotics and prebiotics present. There is also a great variety of flavor options.

Huel

• Calories: 400
• Protein: 22g
• Sugar: 4g
• Probiotics & Prebiotics: Yes
• Vitamins & Minerals: 27
• Number of Flavors: 8

Soylent

• Calories: 400
• Protein: 20g
• Sugar: 1g
• Probiotics & Prebiotics: No
• Vitamins & Minerals: 28
• Number of Flavors: 5

Comparing Huel & Soylent Bars

Only Huel and Soylent bars are compared here because Kachava does not have this offering. Huel has 2 different types of bars with their Complete Bar containing more protein and less sugar.

While Soylent’s bars have the least number of calories, these also have a significantly lower protein content and fewer flavor options. Because of this, Huel is the winner when it comes to protein bars.

Huel Complete Bar 

• Calories: 200
• Protein: 18g
• Sugar: 1g
• Probiotics & Prebiotics: Yes
• Vitamins & Minerals: 27
• Number of Flavors: 4

Huel Bar v3.1

• Calories: 200
• Protein: 12g
• Sugar: 8g
• Probiotics & Prebiotics: Yes
• Vitamins & Minerals: 27
• Number of Flavors:6

Soylent

• Calories: 100
• Protein: 6g
• Sugar: 1g
• Probiotics & Prebiotics: No
• Vitamins & Minerals: 28
• Number of Flavors:2

Is Huel, Kachava & Soylent Organic, Gluten Free, Soy Free, & Non-GMO?

All three of these products are gluten-free and while they are not organic, Kachava does include a lot of organic ingredients. Additionally, Kachava has no preservatives and no artificial sweeteners.

It is also dairy free and vegan.

Soylent drinks are vegan, nut, oat, and dairy-free, but the bars do contain nuts. They are very mindful and aware of allergens and to limit the potential for cross-contamination they produce their drinks and bars in separate facilities.

There are no preservatives and no artificial sweeteners and instead, Soylent has Allulose which is a natural sugar that does not raise blood glucose.

Huel is vegan and contains no preservatives. Huel does contain sucralose which is an artificial sweetener.

Sucralose is a very commonly used artificial sweetener as it sweetens while also remaining calorie-free.

Research has actually shown that consuming sucralose does not have an impact on glycemic control, insulin resistance, or gut health in healthy individuals, but it is also important to decide what is best for each individual and consult your doctor as needed.⁸ They do offer an unflavored and unsweetened powder that contains no artificial sweeteners.

Kachava

• Organic: Not 100%. 28 organic ingredients
• Gluten-Free: Yes
• Soy-Free: Yes
• Non-GMO: No but working towards it
• Allergens: Tree nuts (coconut)

Huel

• Organic: No
• Gluten-Free: Yes but some powders are not gluten-free
• Soy-Free: Yes
• Non-GMO: Yes
• Allergens: Tree nuts (coconut), peanuts, mustard 

Soylent

• Organic: No
• Gluten-Free: Yes
• Soy-Free: No
• Non-GMO: No
• Allergens: Bars contain nuts

Is Huel vs Soylent vs Kachava Available Near Me? Where Can I Buy Each?

Huel is available directly from their website, locally from The Vitamin Shoppe, and Amazon. On their website, they have a store locator to see which Vitamin Shoppe is closest to you.

One benefit of buying Huel directly from their website is they do offer a student, medical staff, military, and first responders discount alongside also offering a subscription plan for lower prices.

Soylent is very accessible and the one someone would be most likely to be able to find at their local grocery store. It is sold at Walmart, Target, and other grocery stores.

They also have a store locator on their website to see which location is closest. Soylent is also available for purchase directly from their website.

Kachava is not sold directly in stores and can only be bought from their website and on Amazon. When purchasing Kachava online directly from their website there is the option to subscribe which would say someone $10 per bag.

Which Is Cheaper: Kachava vs Huel vs Soylent?

Overall, Soylent is the cheapest for the powder, ready-to-drink bottles, and bars. Each retailer may offer the product in slightly different quantities so the price may vary due to that.

When comparing which is cheaper for each product because Kachava is only offered in a powder only Huel and Soylent are compared for the bars and ready-to-drink bottles.

Going directly through the companies’ websites can offer the benefit of monthly subscription discounts and free products such as samples, t-shirts, and mixing bottles. Additionally, Kachava offers a money-back guarantee and Huel offers a student, medical staff, military, and first responders discount.

Powder:

Kachava (1 bag = 15 servings)

• Kachava’s Website: $69.95 ($4.66/serving)
• Amazon: $93.87
• Third Party Retailer: N/A

Huel (1 tub = 26 servings)

• Huel’s Website: $36.11 (for 1 tub but you have to buy 2 tubs on their website $2.21/meal)
• Amazon: $58.90 (1 pouch that is 17 servings is the only option on Amazon)
• Third Party Retailer: $37.99 (Vitamin Shoppe)

Soylent (12 servings)

• Soylent’s Website: $32 ($1.99/meal)
• Amazon: $32.30
• Third Party Retailer: $34 (Walmart), $34.49 (Target)

Ready-To-Drink:

Huel

• Huel’s Website: $50.50 (1 box with 12 bottles $4.21/bottle)
• Amazon: Not available on Amazon
• Third Party Retailer: Not available at Vitamin Shoppe

Soylent

• Soylent’s Website: $45 (12 bottles $3.75/bottle)
• Amazon: $39.36 (12 bottles)
• Third Party Retailer: $46.99 (12 bottles from Walmart), $47.99 (12 bottles from Target)

Bars:

Huel (12 bars)

• Huel’s Website: $37.50 (for 1 box of 12 but required to buy 2 boxes $3.13/bar)
• Amazon: Not available on Amazon
• Third Party Retailers: Not available at the Vitamin Shoppe

Soylent (24 bars)

• Soylent’s Website: $26.50 ($1.10/bar)
• Amazon: $24.78
• Third Party Retailers: $28.99 (Walmart)

Which Taste Better: Kachava vs Soylent vs Huel?

There is a definite battle between the taste quality of Huel vs Kachava vs Soylent just as there is between Shakeology vs Slimfast and Vega vs Orgain. Furthermore, a very important factor when looking for a protein shake diet plan, is the taste of the drink and what flavors are offered.

There are a lot of differing opinions on the taste of each product. Kachava has been coined as being sweeter.

Some reviewers have suggested adding fruit or nut butter and making a smoothie with Kachava to help improve the overall flavor. The biggest consistent complaint seen is the taste doesn’t quantity how expensive the product is.

With almost 5,000 reviews on Amazon, Kachava has a 4.5 overall rating. Some reviews have also mentioned Kachava can be a bit tough to mix but using a blender can help solve this problem.

The chocolate flavor also seems to be the most popular and favored flavor.

Soylent has the highest amount of sugar compared to the other meal replacements but reviewers haven’t commented on the product being overly sweetened. Soylent only offers 2 flavors of the powder with the option to buy flavor boosts.

Overwhelmingly, it seems like the reviews of Soylent mention the texture being nice and creamy but the flavor is bland. The reviews on the ready-to-drink options are very strong with almost 10,000 reviews and 4.5 stars on Amazon.

Reviewers rave over the flavors and quality of the drink.

One consistent complaint about Huel is it doesn’t seem to mix well with water, so like mentioned with Kachava, using a blender may be best to get a smooth texture. Huel has a wide variety of flavors so it’s likely someone would be able to find a flavor they’d like.

Compared to Soylent and Kachava, Huel has a significantly low amount of sugar and some reviewers commented that Huel had a strong taste of oats.

Taste is a very subjective thing and there were both bad and good reviews on the taste of each product. Overall based on reviews it does seem like Soylent has the most positive reviews on taste and texture while also keeping in mind this brand does have higher levels of sugar and calories.

In conclusion, we recommend seeing which product aligns best with someone’s overall goals, and budget, and which flavors seem most appealing to decide which one to try out first.

Powder:

Ready-To-Drink:

Bars:

Soylent vs Kachava vs Huel: Best by Category (Muscle, Weight Loss, Ingredients, Taste, Costs & Nutrition)

When comparing Huel vs Kachava vs Soylent there are a variety of things to keep in mind to see which option would be best for you.

Huel has high protein with nutrients targeted towards someone looking to gain muscle whereas both Kachava and Huel have fewer calories which could be a good option for someone looking to lose weight.

Source: Daniel Megias via Canva.com¹³

Kachava is superior compared to Huel and Soylent in ingredients and overall nutrition due to the incredible amount of superfoods present. Huel and Soylent don’t come close.

Taste is a very subjective thing but Huel offers the greatest variety of different flavors which is why we marked them as the winner for taste. Finally, for someone looking for an effective, quality meal replacement that is more budget-friendly, Soylent would be the winner at only $1.99 per meal for the shakes and $1.10 per bar.

Kachava

• Building Muscle: X
• Weight-Loss: ✔
• Ingredients: ✔
• Taste: X
• Cost: X
• Overall Nutrition: ✔

Huel

• Building Muscle: ✔
• Weight-Loss: ✔
• Ingredients: X
• Taste: ✔
• Cost: X
• Overall Nutrition: X

Soylent

• Building Muscle: X
• Weight-Loss: X
• Ingredients: X
• Taste: X
• Cost: ✔
• Overall Nutrition: X

When looking for Kachava alternatives, both Huel and Soylent would be good options, with Soylent more budget-friendly. All three of these products have quality ingredients, high levels of protein, and decent overall reviews about taste. While the battle between Huel vs Kachava vs Soylent is still strong, all three come with different pros and cons and all would be good options. 

Frequently Asked Questions