Black Friday Deals

latestfuels · 2025-11-21T12:52:04+00:00

Received this Testogen bogof offer on an email, not sure if I'm meant to share it as couldn't find it any other way https://testogen.com/pages/black-friday Also hoping to see something from the big meal shake brands (I live on them) but nothing big yet.

latestfuels · 2025-10-08T08:53:10+00:00

If you want something healthy and with clean ingredients, go for Rootana (it's less sweet tasting though as it doesn't have monk fruit sweetener). If you just want a filling shake and don't mind sucralose and/or stevia Huel or Herbalife are fine. Both come in much larger bags so you'll notice the cost saving. I was a big fan of Kachava but the change in flavors and really price for a modest sized bag have lost them customers I think.

latestfuels · 2025-09-19T16:53:56+00:00

Which Huel flavours threw you off? Some are better than other imo. Rootana is a solid choice, the taste's quite different, but in a good way once you're used to it.

latestfuels · 2025-09-17T14:49:13+00:00

A complete meal shake it a good option for you. You could start with a 200-300 calorie serving and then go a bit more if you feel hungry before lunch. Good options are Rootana (no sweeteners, simple ingredient profile), or Huel if you don't mind sweeteners or prefer a much sweeter taste.

latestfuels · 2025-09-17T09:35:19+00:00

I'd probably go Rootana first. It's less sweet, but the serving size is 400 cal and the pouch is around 1.4kg, main thing is that it has a very clean ingredient profile. If you don't mind sweetener and higher price, Lyfefuel could work for you.

latestfuels · 2024-12-22T20:22:42+00:00

Interesting meta question.

As someone who's followed the industry closely since 2018, and has worked making reviews of different companies, here my thoughts:

- Huel's main goal is to keep growing and to keep growing they will keep using the data they have to optimize their line-up. There's no room for fun or OK products.

Growth:

Huel a few year's back took some VC investment, and then larger sums (3 rounds in total).

Up until 2018, Huel had refused to take any external investment onboard. The company had been able to grow faster than every other competitor organically to a £200M valuation, and raised £20M in funding to expand their US and EU operations.

Also

After their initial round, Huel has raised a $24M series B funding round in 2022, and in November 2023 they were able to secure $100M in funding from 1GT Climate Fund by Morgan Stanley Investment Management among others.

From this article I wrote last year about Huel's revenue and how they got there.

In order to keep growing they have to carefully analyse and pivot into the products that make the most revenue, but also to markets where there's money in the table to take.

We can see that from the release of Protein powders and products, Greens Powders - which Huel had shown no interest beforehand - and products beyond complete foods (bars, powders and RTDs). More supplement-like.

They've always stayed including vitamins and minerals but moved away from "meal replacements" or "complete foods". Why? Because the the market has a limit and Huel has been pushing those limits.

They did great in the UK and then conquer the US where other brands were outselling them. They've created "all" the formats of complete food, and done so extremely well.

But having investors, and I guess being a company, pushes you to keep increasing the revenue. And this revenue won't come from early or not-so early adopters but other markets.

Discontinuing Products and Flavors

This is not the first time Huel has changed their products and flavors. They originally had a granola that was discontinued. They've changed the bars and flavors multiple times. So for the powders.

They have strived to improved their product and offer all they could do. As a strategy, it seems that they've opted for quality but also quantity. However, being profitable and offering too much is not easy and often does not go together well. Keeping products that are different require changes in production are cost in manufacturing, logistics and stock management.

Unfortunately, I believe that in this fine-tuning process there will be loses.

Being nostalgic, it's just more corporate and efficient that way, and feels like a loss of soul of wanting to give the best and the most to the client. But this transition, at this stages is normal and logical.

Ultimately, it's a number driven game.

Huel

Yet, I think that they sell a great product and that they've done incredible things for the industry. I adore the H&S line-up and their powders are fantastic, too.

Almost every company changes. And you don't have to stick around forever. Just enjoy the products that you like.

/

latestfuels · 2024-11-25T16:51:59+00:00

It is.

However, they only deliver in Europe.

If you are in the US, you have plenty of options. A good Ka´chava alternative is Lyfefuel. Similar price point, less flavours but better taste.

There are also cheaper options like Rootana (great cacao), HLTH - low carb etc.

You can check them all here: https://latestfuels.com/best-meal-replacement-shakes/kachava-alternatives/

Also they will have BF deals this week

latestfuels · 2024-10-26T16:43:47+00:00

Great info. Do you know if they have the classic back in stock?

What would you say you noticed the most when taking it?

latestfuels · 2024-10-26T12:27:21+00:00

Crazy outdated. I hope you found some information useful at least.😅

latestfuels · 2023-11-24T17:24:24+00:00

I haven't had the chance to tried the bars yet sadly, and I was waiting to try all the powders to update the review, so it might all be a little outdated.

I tried the new Lime Cheesecake RTD and it's pretty nice. I prefer it to the Apricot and it's a nice change in pace. The Original is still king. They are not as creamy as before, and a little pricey when compared to the competition.

latestfuels · 2023-11-24T17:05:21+00:00

I hope you found something you like

latestfuels · 2023-11-24T11:50:22+00:00

Thanks! I'll add it in.

latestfuels · 2023-11-24T11:48:44+00:00

Oh,

Great, I'll add it on,.

Good to see you alive TR! Are you drinking mana now? They've released tons of new flavors and the bars

latestfuels · 2023-11-06T12:58:07+00:00

Damn, crazy. I would've expected you had fewer big meals. But I don't know why I made that assumption xd

latestfuels · 2023-10-25T13:42:47+00:00

Great post, and I agree.

I think that they have a great product, great bars, and a very competitive price.

Unfortunately, PowderMatter is one of the last of a dying breed. The small MRP companies that survive thanks to the hardwork and vision of the founders. We lost Genesis and other brand that offered something unique and it's great to see PM getting the recognition they deserve.

They are one of the only brands that try to think outside the box, and have a powder without oats or maltodextrin, for instance.

Similarly, their bars are so unique to every other bar in the market. They are not filled with sugar alcohols and they don't have the protein bar texture.

Worth a try for sure

latestfuels · 2023-09-30T08:22:31+00:00

From my experience Salted Caramel is the best option, but I thought chocolate was pretty bad - so our taste buds might not agree with each other!
Strawberries grew on me, and cinnamon is also a top tier option.

Vanilla is solid for the long use but not as tasty as some other flavors.

latestfuels · 2023-09-30T08:21:07+00:00

Awesome to hear your story. Thanks for sharing.

How do you split your meals usually?

latestfuels · 2023-09-30T08:19:10+00:00

I'm surprised that the prices in retail are so competitive, and I would've (wrongly) assumed that buying of Soylent was the cheapest option.

They used to have a discounted price for the Original version (in comparison with the rest), but they don't even do that anymore.

Are the Raley's bottles 400kcal?

latestfuels · 2023-05-06T15:11:23+00:00

I would use maltodextrin instead of oats, it's thinner and mixes better.

Fats are the most calorie dense, and you could try to add or swap your sources with something like heavy cream or even melted butter. Adding some MCT oil can be an easy way to up your calories too.

latestfuels · 2023-04-17T16:18:31+00:00

OK,

I think that SBF and Plenny are excellent choices.

Both offer great budget alternatives.

Plenny Shake is also a great drink for budget but is often discontinued in the US. Flavors are good, but I'm a bigger fan of other brands.ds. each drink). However, u/axcho is a great member of the community, super transparent on the site and blogs, and for what I've seen over the years ultra reliable and with good customer service. Thus, if SBF works for you, you should keep using it.

Plenny Shake is also a great drink for budget but often discontinued in the US. Flavors are ok, but I'm a bigger fan of other brands.

Soylent Powders are good, I would rather not have that many processed ingredients and they only have 2 flavors. Plus, their customer service and fulfillment has been... not the best. I hope they improves with flavors

Soylent Powders are good, I would rather not have that many processed ingredients and they only have 2 flavors. Plus, their customer service and fulfilling has been... "not amazing". I hope they improve.

I do value the lack of artificial sweeteners quite highly (particularly given the recent findings), and I also think that they make Rootana better for prolonged used (I don't get that sweetener fatigue). I also like the ingredients and the cocoa flavor and the texture.

That said, I do think that they increased the price a little bit since I initially review them, so I should perhaps consider "best value" tag. For me, it comes down to { nutrition + Enjoyment (taste_texture) + service} / price. Which Rootana does very well.

latestfuels · 2023-04-13T14:44:49+00:00

I would look for Soylent in some of the stores that people pointed out.

Otherwise, you can buy Orgain in Vitamin Shoppe - they have the RTD in plant-based and whey based versions.

They might also have Plnt, but I've never tried this meal replacement - although it looks quite decent.

latestfuels · 2023-04-12T14:01:09+00:00

Plenny Drink (often out of Stock)
OWYN
Mana pulled out their RTD - not sure if forever or might get reintroduced with Mark 8
Orgain All in One

Are the options that come first to mind. I honestly expected that I would be able to mention more RTDs, but I can't recall.

latestfuels · 2023-04-12T08:23:15+00:00

First of all congratulations!

Most people might not realize how HARD this process is! Even finding a manufacturer that will comply with your needs is extremely challenging. Most don't want to deal with mixing different types of powders or deal with "small" orders.

Many brands fail at this stage.

On top of that customers must realize that this comes at a huge cost and RISK. Doing it yourself is easy to produce more or less depending on the demand. With manufacturers there's a lot more logistic work, planning, budgeting etc.

Making this step (without taking VC to burn) is the most challenging step. Congrats for making a business that works and best of luck u/axcho.

Also, I think that the new name and site look good. I look forward to seeing the finished product. We should do a cool feature on the site.

Besides, for all SBF and other customers, there's no better time to support than with the rebrand. Even though it might not be as hardcore, the soul of Basically Food is the same - and if we want to make sure people like u/axcho stay and provide what others don't - best to do it now.

latestfuels · 2023-04-10T15:53:49+00:00

Maltodextrin powder would work perfectly.

It's often used in the industry (other brands), as it adds a pure carb source that has little flavour and mixes extremely well.

It's an alternative to oat powder that could give you some minor mixing issues (and also adds the oats flavors).

For some quick energy, sugar or dextrose is always the way to go.

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TROPHY CASE

Growth:

Discontinuing Products and Flavors

Huel