Most people who step foot into the gym are also familiar with protein shakes. Forty to 60 grams of protein in one 500ml container is one of the most efficient ways to hit your macro goals and most of it is made from eggs, so vegetarians are on board too. But the problem I most hear about: they taste like s***.
I disagree - I've been drinking the good stuff since I was a stick thin 16-year-old who didn't know how nutrition worked. But now I'm a giant 29-year-old whose mum, last time I hugged her, said it was like "hugging The Incredible Hulk", and I've tried everything from MyProtein to Huel.
That's not a brag; the Google algorithm means you have to show expertise to rank at all. Is that enough expertise, Google? I once got stuck in a tight hallway at a bar because of my shoulders, like a cat too big for his whiskers. Is that what you want me to tell them? That my bum is too big for my Best Man suit and the wedding is in two weeks? Have I satisfied you search engine? Anyway, I've tasted them so you don't make the wrong decision.
Fourth place: Huel Black Edition, Chocolate Flavour
When I worked at DesignMyNight, one of my colleagues ate nothing but Huel: he wore the Huel top, he drank a liquid lunch, and he told me how good it was at Friday drinks. He was also stacked. Cut forward six years and I ordered Huel, tempted by the thought of not having to cook my lunch every day and having the body fat of, admittedly, a 23-year-old.
I immediately regretted my decision. I've since been warned their savoury shakes are tastier, but the thought of drinking like... a soup? From my shaker? Makes my skin go funny. This tastes like chocolate in the same way the Star Wars sequels are like the original trilogy: I'm confused, I'm angry, and there's a bad taste in my mouth.
My flat mate has a much higher appreciation of it, though complained of a metallic taste. Unlike a protein shake, Huel is a meal supplement, boasting 40g of protein in a 90g portion (400kcal). It's also made without whey (eggs), with the protein coming from peas and brown rice and so is suitable for vegans. Moreover, it contains all 26 essential vitamins and minerals - and I got a T-shirt too.
Rating: 1/5
You can get the Huel Black Edition, Chocolate for £37.96 from Amazon or on their site for £63.34 for two bags (and 10% off if you subscribe).
Third Place: Huel Black Edition, Vanilla
Okay, here me out, this one is actually all right. It has all the benefits of the chocolate one above, but I just think vanilla is a much easier flavour to embed into a tasty shake. Also a weird difference: I found it harder to dissolve the chocolate one in a shaker, needing a strainer and then to reshake when the first batch was done. However, the vanilla one merged seamlessly.
It still has the same metallic edge putting me off, however. Drinkable, nutritious, good if you're in a rush.
Rating: 2.5/5
You can get the Huel Black Edition, Chocolate for £37.96 from Amazon or on their site for £63.34 for two bags (and 10% off if you subscribe).
Second Place: MyProtein Impact Whey Protein, Cookies and Cream
Cookies and cream, to someone with a sweet tooth like mine, is irresistible. However, it doesn't matter what brand you go with, all protein shakes are going to taste a bit off - it's just this one is much more dessert-y than the next flavour I'm talking about.
It blends well in a shake and there's 40g for a two scoop serving, which I would recommend. There's only 204 calories in this impact protein too. The downsides to these - they are not meals like Huel, but purely post-workout shakes. There's a hefty price tag of £169.99 for 5kg, though this comes with two caveats: MyProtein constantly has a sale and the bags last for a good few months.
Rating: 4/5
You can buy Cookies and Cream Impact Whey Protein at MyProtein for £39.99 for 1kg, £91.99 for 2.5kg (with a 45% discount for subscription) and £169.99 for 5kg. (However, there's often a sale). Otherwise, you can get 1kg from Amazon for £26.80.
Top: MyProtein Impact Whey Protein, Vanilla
Laugh all you want: vanilla is the best flavour in protein shakes. I don't make the rules, I only possess the taste buds and a four-times-a-week gym schedule. I normally go for the diet version because I love food so much I don't need more calories - and it DOES taste better, in my opinion - but they are only selling them in 1kg portions at the moment. Good if you want to try it out.
But the main event is the tastiest one. It's smooth, touching the cusp of milkshake quality. It's 40g of protein like all the others, but both Impact wheys are rich in amino acids and BCAAs (all important for recovery). I've also tried the Chocolate Brownie flavour and it was my least favourite out of all three. If you want a smooth, delicious, 40g injection of protein, vanilla is the way forward.
Rating: 5/5
You can buy Vanilla Impact Whey Protein at MyProtein for £39.99 for 1kg, £91.99 for 2.5kg (with a 45% discount for subscription) and £169.99 for 5kg. (However, there's often a sale). Otherwise, you can get 1kg from Amazon for £24.20.
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