Meal replacement shakes have surged in popularity in recent years as a convenient way to get balanced nutrition on-the-go. Two of the leading brands fueling this trend are Ka‘Chava and Huel. Both offer plant-based, nutrient-dense powder to mix up shakes that can replace meals and snacks. But how do they compare and which one is the better choice for your lifestyle and goals?
In this in-depth comparison, we‘ll break down everything you need to know about Ka‘Chava vs Huel – from their nutrition facts to flavors to company missions. By the end, you‘ll have all the information needed to decide which of these top meal shake brands deserves a spot in your pantry. Let‘s dive in!
Brand Backgrounds
Ka‘Chava
Founded in 2014 by Simon Malone, Ka‘Chava is on a mission to make it easier for people to get optimal nourishment with the power of plant-based superfoods. Malone was inspired to start the company after discovering how nutrient-dense foods enabled ancient cultures like the Maya to thrive.
Today, Ka‘Chava offers its flagship meal replacement shake packed with over 70+ superfoods, plant-based proteins, and key nutrients. It‘s manufactured in a pharmaceutical facility in southern California. The brand is dedicated to sustainability – it‘s a proud supporter of Rainforest Trust to protect tropical ecosystems. All of the ingredients are vegan with no GMOs, soy, preservatives, or artificial junk.
Huel
The story of Huel (a mash-up of "human fuel") began in 2014 in the UK. Founder Julian Hearn teamed up with nutrition expert James Collier to develop a nutritionally complete food that‘s affordable, plant-based, and tasty with minimal impact on the environment and animals.
Huel launched its first powder in 2017 and has since expanded to ready-to-drink meals, bars, and savory instant meals. The products are formulated by registered nutritionists to provide all 27 essential vitamins and minerals, protein, essential fats, carbs, fiber and phytonutrients. Huel is now available in over 80 countries and has sold over 150 million meals. The products are made in Devon, England.
Nutrition Facts Face-Off
Both Ka‘Chava and Huel deliver well-balanced meal replacement shakes, but there are some key differences when you look under the nutrition facts label. Here‘s how they stack up per serving:
Ka‘Chava Tribal Superfood
• Calories: 240
• Fat: 7g
• Carbs: 25g (Fiber: 9g, Sugar: 7g)
• Protein: 25g
• Superfoods: 70+ plant-based superfoods, adaptogens, vitamins and minerals
• Standout Ingredients: Organic Sacha Inchi Protein, Organic Amaranth, Organic Quinoa, Chia, Chlorella
Huel Powder v3.0
• Calories: 400
• Fat: 13g
• Carbs: 45g (Fiber: 7g, Sugar: 1g)
• Protein: 29g
• Nutrients: 27 essential vitamins and minerals
• Standout Ingredients: Pea Protein, Oats, Flaxseed, Brown Rice Protein, MCT Powder, Kombucha
So what do these nutrition facts tell us? Ka‘Chava packs in a huge variety of superfood ingredients and has a higher fiber content. So it may keep you feeling full longer. On the flip side, Huel has more protein and healthy fats which can aid muscle growth and maintenance. Huel is also higher in calories, so you may need less powder to replace a full meal.
Ultimately, both deliver solid nutritional value with all the macro and micronutrients your body needs. It really comes down to your specific health goals and calorie needs to decide which blend is the better fit.
Battle of the Flavors
Taste and texture are super important for any meal replacement shake. After all, if you don‘t like drinking it, that tub of powder will just collect dust in the pantry. So how do Ka‘Chava and Huel compare when it comes to flavor?
Ka‘Chava Flavors
• Vanilla
• Chocolate
• Coconut Acai
• Matcha
• Chai
Ka‘Chava keeps it simple with its flavor options – you‘ve got your two classic flavors in vanilla and chocolate, plus a few more unique offerings like coconut acai and chai. But don‘t be fooled by the short list. Ka‘Chava delivers on taste! The flavors are rich, smooth, creamy and lightly sweetened with monk fruit and lo han fruit. No artificial flavors here. The coconut milk powder gives it a satisfying thickness.
Huel Flavors
• Vanilla
• Chocolate
• Berry
• Banana
• Caffe Latte
• Peanut Butter
• Salted Caramel
• Unflavored & Unsweetened
Huel definitely wins when it comes to flavor variety. You‘ll find all the classic flavors plus fun options like salted caramel and peanut butter. Prefer to go au naturel? The unflavored version lets you add the powder to pretty much anything. The flavors of Huel are more subtle and lightly sweet. Some reviewers find a bit of chalkiness, but it blends well overall.
Price Per Serving
Now let‘s talk money. Is Ka‘Chava or Huel the better deal? Here‘s how much you can expect to pay per meal:
Ka‘Chava
• One-time purchase: $4.66/serving
• Subscribe & save: $3.99/serving
Huel Powder
• 2 bag purchase: $2.35/serving
• 4 bag purchase: $2.12/serving
• 8 bag purchase: $1.95/serving
• 16 bag purchase: $1.88/serving
There‘s no sugarcoating it – Ka‘Chava has a hefty price tag, nearly double the cost of Huel. However, you are getting a huge dose of superfoods which may be worth the extra cash if nutrient-density is a big priority. Huel‘s price per meal is pretty darn affordable, especially if you stock up on more bags. Both companies offer subscribe & save deals to slash the price a bit more.
Subscriptions
Speaking of subscribe & save, what exactly are your options with these two brands?
Ka‘Chava
When you subscribe to Ka‘Chava shipments, you‘ll save 15% on every order. You can choose to get deliveries every 15, 30, or 45 days. Skip, change, or cancel your subscription any time by logging into your account – no questions asked.
Huel
With Huel‘s subscription program, you‘ll save 10% and get free shipping over $25. Huel lets you personalize your plan with deliveries every 1-10 weeks and the ability to swap flavors or products. Skipping or canceling is easy to do from your account.
What Customers Are Saying
Don‘t just take our word for it – here‘s a glimpse of what real customers are saying about their experiences with Ka‘Chava and Huel:
Ka‘Chava
"Deserves more than 5 stars. I have been drinking this for a few months now and I‘m completely hooked. I am in healthcare and work 12 hour shifts so I need something that is healthy and keeps me full for hours. This is it!" – Maya, kachava.com reviewer
"This is hands down the best plant based nutritional shake out there, period. I have tried so many vegan protein powders and meal replacements but Ka‘chava is king. The ingredients, taste, how it makes me feel – everything about this product is incredible." – Amazon reviewer
Huel
"I‘ve used Huel for three years now and the product, service and community is second to none! It has made such a positive impact on my overall nutrition and I‘m forever grateful to have found Huel. The new salted caramel black edition might be my favorite flavor yet!" – Trustpilot reviewer
"Huel is basically the only ‘meal replacement‘ I‘ve tried that actually fills me up until my next meal. The flavor is great, mixes well with no clumping or chalkiness. Big fan and will continue to use Huel to supplement my busy lifestyle." – Reddit reviewer
Company Values
Both Ka‘Chava and Huel have strong missions to make a positive impact on health and the planet. Here‘s a closer look:
Ka‘Chava
• Partners with Rainforest Trust to protect acres of rainforest land
• Donates to Trees for the Future to plant trees that offset carbon emissions
• Uses sustainably-sourced, organic ingredients
• Minimal, recyclable packaging
Huel
• Uses minimal, 100% recyclable packaging
• Donates over $450,000 per year to effective environmentally-focused charities
• Vegan and uses ethically-sourced, plant-based ingredients
• Invests in nutrition education for underserved communities
Recipe Versatility
There‘s a lot more you can do with these meal replacement powders than just mixing up shakes. Check out the endless recipe possibilities:
Ka‘Chava
• Smoothie Bowls: Mix Ka‘Chava with less liquid to create a thick smoothie bowl and top with granola, berries, nut butter, etc.
• Nice Cream: Blend frozen bananas with a scoop of chocolate Ka‘Chava for a healthy ice cream swap
• Protein Pancakes: Add a scoop of vanilla Ka‘Chava to your pancake mix for a protein and nutrient boost
• Chia Pudding: the chia seeds in Ka‘Chava make it a great thickener for chia seed pudding
Huel
• Overnight Oats: Add a scoop of Huel to your overnight oat mix for an extra creamy, nutritious breakfast
• Healthy Baked Goods: Huel can replace some of the flour in baked goods like muffins, cookies, and breads
• Soups and Sauces: Unflavored Huel is a great thickener for soups, stews, curries, and pasta sauces
• Energy Balls: Mix Huel with oats, nut butter, and other mix-ins then roll into energy balls for a healthy snack
Promotions & Shipping
Before you add to cart with either of these brands, make sure to look out for these ways to save and get your order fast:
Ka‘Chava Deals
• Get 10% off your first order when you sign up for emails
• Refer a friend and you both get $15 off
• Free US shipping when you buy 2 or more bags
• Ships within 2 business days, 2-day and overnight shipping available
Huel Deals
• Get a free t-shirt and shaker when you spend over $75
• Refer a friend and get $15 off
• Students get 10% off all orders
• Free shipping on all orders over $25
• Typically ships within 1-2 business days
The Verdict: Which Meal Shake Wins?
So when it comes down to it, should you stock your pantry with Ka‘Chava or Huel? The truth is, both are solid options to up your nutrition in a ridiculously convenient way. But here‘s who may prefer each brand:
Ka‘Chava is best for:
• People who want the most nutrient-dense option and are willing to pay for premium ingredients
• Those who prefer a creamier, more strongly flavored shake
• Individuals looking to increase their intake of superfood nutrients
• People who value a brand with a strong sustainability mission
Huel is best for:
• Athletes and fitness enthusiasts looking for a higher protein shake
• Flavor experimenters who like to switch it up
• Students, families, or anyone on a bit more of a budget
• People who don‘t need a ton of superfoods and prefer a simpler ingredient list
The wonderful thing is, you really can‘t go wrong with either of these top-notch meal replacement shakes. It all comes down to your personal taste preferences, health goals, and lifestyle. Hopefully this in-depth comparison gave you all the information needed to make the best choice for YOU.
Because at the end of the day, the best meal shake is the one you look forward to drinking each and every day. It‘s an easy, tasty way to give your body the nourishment it needs to keep you energized and thriving. So go ahead and raise a shake to your health – you deserve it!
