How Mounjaro works
Mounjaro works by mimicking hormones that regulate hunger and fullness, fundamentally altering how our body responds to food.
The medication reduces appetite and hunger, helping us eat fewer calories to support weight loss.
Mounjaro also slows gastric emptying, meaning food stays in your stomach longer. This creates a prolonged feeling of fullness, making it challenging to eat regular meals, especially in the first few weeks of treatment.
One of the most significant changes people notice is the reduction in ‘food noise’ – those constant thoughts about food and cravings that previously drove food choices.
This dramatic reduction in appetite can make it difficult to consume enough protein and essential nutrients, which is where liquid nutrition, such as Huel, can play a supporting role. (It’s better than skipping meals altogether.)
The medication can also trigger nausea, particularly with solid foods, making liquids more appealing during certain periods of your treatment.
Can you drink Huel on Mounjaro?
Yes, Huel is safe to drink while taking Mounjaro, and several aspects of its formulation align with what your body needs during treatment.
Huel’s high protein content (20-35g per serving, depending on the product) helps meet your protein needs when solid food intake is reduced.
The controlled calorie content (400-500 calories per serving) makes it easier to track your intake, which can be helpful when hunger is much lower and you’re struggling to eat.
Its liquid form is often easier to tolerate than solid foods when you’re experiencing nausea or early satiety from Mounjaro.
The micronutrient fortification can help prevent deficiencies that may occur when overall food intake is significantly reduced.
However, Huel shouldn’t become your primary nutrition source. The plant-based protein blend, while complete, doesn’t provide the same amino acid profile as varied whole food sources.
The fibre content (approximately 6g per serving) may help alleviate constipation, a common side effect of Mounjaro, although it can also cause bloating in some individuals.
Most importantly, Huel lacks the thousands of phytochemicals, antioxidants, and other beneficial compounds found in whole foods that we’re still discovering and understanding.
When Huel might be helpful
Huel can be particularly useful in specific situations while taking Mounjaro:
When appetite is extremely low: During the first few weeks of treatment or after dose increases, when even small amounts of solid food feel overwhelming.
For consistent protein intake: When you’re struggling to eat enough protein-rich foods but need to preserve muscle mass during weight loss.
During nausea episodes: When liquids are more tolerable than solid foods, Huel can provide nutrition until your symptoms settle.
On busy days: When you’re choosing between Huel and skipping meals entirely, or between Huel and fast food options.
Travel situations: When access to quality whole foods is limited and you need reliable nutrition.
Early morning nutrition: When morning nausea makes breakfast challenging but you need fuel for the day.
Huel should be used for what it is: a supplement. It can fill gaps in your nutrition, not replace the foundation of whole foods.
Nutritional analysis: Huel vs whole foods
Let’s compare a day of nutrition using three Huel servings versus a day of Second Nature whole food meals to understand what you might be missing.
Daily Huel consumption (3 servings of Huel Black Edition)
Total daily intake:
- Calories: 1,200
- Protein: 105g
- Fat: 40g
- Carbohydrates: 85g
- Fibre: 18g
Micronutrients: Huel provides 100% of most vitamins and minerals based on reference daily intake values.
Second Nature whole food day
Breakfast – Green eggs: 3 eggs, kale, spinach, feta, pesto, olive oil, butter
Lunch – Salmon beetroot freekeh salad: 113g salmon, beetroot, freekeh, rocket, crème fraîche, 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Dinner – Mexican beef one pot: 150g beef mince, peppers, beans, tomatoes, brown rice, avocado, 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
| Nutrient |
3× Huel Regular |
3× Huel Black |
Second Nature day |
Advantage |
| Calories |
1,200 |
1,200 |
~1,760 |
+560 (+47%) |
| Protein |
60g |
105g |
106g |
+46g vs Regular (+77%) |
| Fat |
30g |
40g |
121g |
+81g vs Black (+203%) |
| Carbohydrates |
135g |
85g |
79g |
Lower, slower releasing |
| Fibre |
18g |
18g |
25g |
+7g (+39%) |
Sustainable weight loss vs crash diet approach
The nutritional comparison reveals a fundamental difference in approach to weight loss while taking Mounjaro.
Whole food approach (~1,760 calories): Creates a moderate calorie deficit that supports sustainable weight loss while preserving lean muscle mass through adequate protein (106g) and diverse nutrients.
Huel-only approach (1,200 calories): Represents more of a crash diet that, despite higher protein in Black Edition, risks micronutrient deficiencies, slower metabolism, and potential lean mass loss due to severely restricted calories.
Why the whole food approach works better:
Adequate calories for metabolism: 1,760 calories provides enough energy to maintain a higher energy expenditure while still creating a deficit for weight loss.
This level of calories is also an estimate based on the recipes. Our members have the flexibility to add more energy from fat or carbohydrate to their meals to find a balance that suits them.
Plus, they may also choose to include protein-rich snacks between meals.
Superior protein utilisation: The 106g protein from varied sources (eggs, fish, meat) provides complete amino acid profiles that support muscle preservation better than plant-based protein alone.
Micronutrient security: Diverse whole foods provide thousands of compounds that prevent deficiencies, even with Mounjaro’s appetite suppression.
Sustainable habits: Learning to prepare and enjoy whole-food meals builds long-term skills for maintaining weight after stopping medication.
Metabolic protection: Consuming higher calories with quality nutrition prevents the metabolic adaptation that often occurs with very low-calorie approaches.
What whole foods provide that Huel doesn’t
Similar protein content: The whole food day provides similar protein levels to Huel Black but from diverse, complete sources that support muscle preservation during weight loss.
Higher fibre content: 39% more fibre from varied sources, supporting different aspects of gut health and digestion.
Superior fat profile: Extra virgin olive oil provides potent anti-inflammatory compounds like oleocanthal, plus omega-3 fatty acids from salmon and monounsaturated fats from avocado; nutrients that Huel’s processed plant oils simply can’t match.
Phytochemical diversity:
- Lycopene from tomatoes (supports prostate and heart health)
- Betalains from beetroot (powerful antioxidants and nitric oxide boosters)
- Sulforaphane from kale (anti-cancer properties)
- Lutein and zeaxanthin from spinach and rocket (eye health)
- Anthocyanins from purple vegetables (brain and cardiovascular protection)
Bioactive compounds: Whole foods contain thousands of beneficial compounds we’re still discovering, such as:
- Peptides from fish that support blood pressure regulation
- Polyphenols from herbs and spices with anti-inflammatory effects
- Prebiotic fibres that feed specific beneficial gut bacteria
Mineral bioavailability: Nutrients from whole foods are often better absorbed due to cofactors and natural chelation that synthetic vitamins can’t replicate.
Digestive enzymes: Raw vegetables and fresh foods provide natural enzymes that support digestion.
The ‘complete nutrition’ myth
While Huel markets itself as providing ‘complete nutrition’, this claim is fundamentally flawed for several reasons:
Unknown beneficial compounds: We’ve identified thousands of beneficial plant compounds, but we estimate there are tens of thousands more we haven’t discovered yet.
Synergistic effects: Nutrients in whole foods work together in ways that isolated vitamins and minerals can’t replicate.
Absorption differences: Natural forms of nutrients are often better absorbed than synthetic versions.
Fibre diversity: Huel contains a few types of fibre, while whole foods provide dozens of different fibres that feed different gut bacteria.
Protein quality: While Huel’s protein blend is complete, it doesn’t match the amino acid profiles and bioactive peptides from varied animal and plant sources.
No meal replacement can truly be ‘complete’ because we don’t yet understand all the ways whole foods support human health.
Managing side effects
Some people experience digestive issues when combining Huel with Mounjaro:
Bloating and gas: Huel’s high fibre and protein content can cause bloating, especially when digestion has slowed due to Mounjaro.
Sulfur burps: The combination of Huel’s plant proteins and Mounjaro’s effects on digestion can produce sulfur-smelling burps.
Mixing Huel with probiotics or drinking it more slowly might help.
Constipation or loose stools: Huel’s fibre content can either help or worsen digestive issues, depending on your individual response.
Monitor your response and adjust serving sizes accordingly.
Nausea: Some people find Huel too rich when experiencing medication-related nausea.
Try mixing with more water, having smaller portions, or switching to their more basic formulations.
Taste fatigue: Many people get tired of Huel’s flavours after regular use.
Consider rotating between different flavours or using Huel only when other options aren’t available.
Blood sugar effects: Although Huel has a moderate glycemic index, some individuals may be sensitive to its carbohydrate content.
Monitor how you feel after drinking Huel and consider the lower-carb Black Edition if regular Huel causes energy crashes.
Frequently asked questions
Can I replace all my meals with Huel while taking Mounjaro?
While Huel provides essential nutrients, replacing all meals isn’t recommended. You’ll miss out on the thousands of beneficial compounds in whole foods that support optimal health.
If you find Huel helpful, we recommend using it occasionally when needed.
Will Huel interfere with Mounjaro’s effectiveness?
No, Huel won’t interfere with how Mounjaro works. The medication’s appetite-suppressing effects are effective regardless of whether you consume liquid or solid calories.
Which Huel product is best for Mounjaro users?
Huel Black Edition offers the highest protein content (35g per serving) and lowest carbohydrates, which many Mounjaro users find more satisfying.
The ready-to-drink versions are convenient, but they’re more expensive than the powder forms.
How much Huel should I drink daily while on Mounjaro?
We wouldn’t recommend consuming Huel every day while on Mounjaro. It would be better to use Huel as a supplement to your intake when eating whole foods are challenging.
Can I mix Huel with other ingredients?
Yes, many people add fruits, vegetables, or protein powders to improve taste and nutrition. Adding spinach, berries, or nut butters can enhance the nutritional profile.
However, these additions increase your calorie intake, so factor them into your daily totals.
Is Huel better than other meal replacements for Mounjaro users?
Huel’s plant-based protein and higher fibre content make it a reasonable choice among meal replacements. However, all meal replacements have similar limitations compared to whole foods.
Focus on finding one that you tolerate well and can use consistently when needed.
Take home message
Huel can be a useful tool while taking Mounjaro, particularly when your appetite is very low or you need convenient nutrition on busy days.
However, it works best as a supplement to whole foods rather than a replacement for them, despite marketing claims about ‘complete nutrition’.
The comparison between Huel and whole food meals reveals significant differences in fibre content, phytochemical diversity, and overall nutritional complexity that no meal replacement can fully match.
Use Huel when you’re struggling to eat enough protein, during travel, or when the alternative is skipping meals entirely or choosing fast food.
Focus on building your nutrition foundation with whole foods that provide the thousands of beneficial compounds we know support optimal health, plus the many more we’re still discovering.
When you do use Huel, listen to your body’s response and adjust accordingly. Some people tolerate it well, while others experience digestive issues that Mounjaro’s effects on gut function may amplify.
The goal with Mounjaro is to develop sustainable eating habits that support long-term health.
While Huel can support you during challenging periods, learning to prepare and enjoy whole foods remains the foundation of maintaining lasting health and weight.
Second Nature's Mounjaro programme
Second Nature provides Mounjaro as part of our Mounjaro weight-loss programme
Why choose Second Nature over other medication providers, assuming you’re eligible?
Because peace of mind matters.
We’ve had the privilege of working with the NHS for over eight years, helping people across the UK take meaningful steps toward a healthier, happier life.
Our programmes are designed to meet people where they are, whether that means support with weight loss through compassionate one-to-one health coaching, or access to the latest weight-loss medications (like Mounjaro) delivered alongside expert care from a multidisciplinary team of doctors, psychologists, dietitians, and personal trainers.
At the heart of everything we do is a simple belief: real, lasting change comes from building better habits, not relying on quick fixes. We’re here to support that change every step of the way.
With over a decade of experience, thousands of lives changed, and a long-standing record of delivering programmes used by the NHS, we believe we're the UK’s most trusted weight-loss programme.
We hope to offer you something invaluable: peace of mind, and the support you need to take that first step.
