Drinking meals put to the test: What are the benefits of Yfood, Foodie, Huel & Co.

Drinking meals are a practical option for people who are travelling, have little time to cook or want a quick and convenient meal. There are now more and more manufacturers offering the right product. We took a close look at the products from Yfood, Ehrmann, Huel and Power System. Ten editors also did the taste test, often with differing opinions. They all agreed on one thing: very few of them could imagine drinking the entire contents. Especially not doing sport afterwards. For some of the editors, the drinking meals upset their stomachs.

>> Catering on the bike: Food & drink for marathons and long tours

>> All our articles on the subject of nutrition can be found here

Four drinking meals in comparison

1. yfood

The market leader Yfood from Munich provides a balanced macronutrient ratio as well as 26 essential vitamins and minerals. The drinks are available in vegan and vegetarian versions. Plus an enormous variety with eleven flavours. Nestlé acquired a stake in the start-up in 2023. 500 kcal per bottle. Price: 3.99 euros >> available here.

Very creamy, not too sweet, banana flavour distinct, a bit like condensed milk, you have to drink it slowly, otherwise it will upset your stomach.
(Protocol taste test of 10 people)

Flavour: 3 out of 6 points (In relation to the flavour presented)

2 Ehrmann

The product from Upper Swabia is similar to the Yfood product in terms of its ingredients and packaging. There are even patent disputes with Yfood. At 400 millilitres, the content is the smallest, but with 30 g of protein and various vitamins, minerals and fibre, it is considerable. 410 kcal per bottle. Price: 3.49 euros >> at Mytime or Amazon available.

More liquid than other test candidates, not too sweet, tastes like liquid fruit dwarf yoghurt, tastes least like a drinkable meal, more like drinking yoghurt, artificial.
(Protocol taste test of 10 people)

Flavour: 4 out of 6 points (In relation to the flavour presented)

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3. huel

This drinkable meal is vegan. Instead of soya, Huel uses oat and pea proteins. Rice, coconut, tapioca and linseed are also added to the drinks. The composition provides a slow-release source of energy. Our expert Kurschat's favourite. 400 kcal per bottle. Price: 4,49 Euro >> available here.

Viscous, little vanilla, very sweet, takes some getting used to, hard to imagine drinking 0.5 litres of it.
(Protocol taste test of 10 people)

Flavour: 3 out of 6 points (In relation to the flavour presented)

4. power system

Power System produces nutritional supplements for weight training. You can see that in the product. There are 33 grams of protein and 525 kcal per bottle, plus a balanced nutrient profile with 26 vitamins and minerals, no added sugar, fibre, lactose-free and gluten-free. Available in two flavours: Chocolate and Vanilla.
Price: 3,99 Euro >> available here.

Tastes like Kaba, not very sweet, like chocolate pudding that has become too runny, Kaba with too much powder. (Protocol taste test of 10 people)

Flavour: 4 out of 6 points (In relation to the flavour presented)

Interview with Wolfram Kurschat

An interview with the ex-racing driver and pharmacist / Rochus Vital Apotheken.

Wolfram, beverage meals are in vogue. Why?

Probably because there are more and more people who are under constant pressure at work and often don't have time to cook or eat out. However, the idea is an old one. In fact, liquid meals such as Fresubin, which contain carbohydrates, fatty acids and proteins, have been used in hospitals for many years, e.g. in cases of imminent malnutrition or food intake disorders.

Are such products also useful for athletes?

If they help them to get a better grip on their time management between work and hobby, yes. A drink like this is better than two chocolate bars or gels before the start because these drinks are more balanced and don't just consist of carbohydrates and electrolytes.

Where do you see the right use?

I see such drinkable meals more as a supplement to the three main meals. For example, for athletes who have a high calorie requirement. Or for people who are on a diet and replace a meal with these products. Advantage: The calories are easier to count. However, it is important to realise that most meals contain more than 500 calories.

What are the biggest differences between the products?

The differences are not very great. They are very similar to the medical product Fresubin, which is available in pharmacies. Huel's product has the fewest calories and the composition is similar for all of them. The customer should pay more attention to flavour and tolerance. Not everyone can tolerate half a litre of these drinks, especially if you exercise afterwards.