I’ve completed the vast majority of my degree with my friend Thomas sitting next to me. There are many things I admire about him, but what sticks out to me the most is his level-headed nature and remarkable ability to bring people together. He has made even the most horrendous of times (including 8 a.m. labs), dare I say, enjoyable. My great admiration for Thomas’ character hopefully provides some insight into the following events. Every semester since junior year, Thomas has committed himself to at least one “Huel Week”, where he powers through 5-7 days consuming nothing but Huel. For those not in the know, Huel is a brutalist’s take on food—its name is a play on “human fuel”. It’s a nutritionally complete food/meal replacement that arrives in a powder format, intended to be hydrated two scoops at a time with 17 fluid ounces of water. Rather convenient with this week’s water main break, as standard water bottles carry 16.9 ounces. Huel comes in “flavors” to mask the taste, but the smell is rather distinct. Completion of Huel week is a testament to one’s mental toughness and mind-over-matter philosophy.
When my friends Thomas and Brian initially set out on this journey together, I admittedly was very anti-Huel. Yes food can be a burden to cook and think about, especially as a busy college student, but it is also very closely tied to social events and bonding. Shared food tastes better! The idea of intentionally removing something joyful from my day seemed rather silly; wouldn’t I want to make every small moment, including “fueling myself”, pleasant? But as more of my friends converted to the dark side and joined in on the semesterly Huel ritual, I began to ponder what I was missing out on. What kept bringing them back? Now in my final semester, I caved. I agreed to participate, partially out of curiosity and partially out of FOMO. My perspective shifted to the mindset of Huel week being a meditative exercise. Who would I be if I spent less time thinking about food? I assumed it would physically feel similar to the week after my wisdom teeth removal, when my diet consisted of only liquids– you just never quite feel full.
The morning of Tuesday, February 18, I set out on my five day journey. The first bottle was so smooth, actually rather tasty, and far sweeter than anticipated. I walked away from breakfast feeling confident. Alas, around midday after my second serving, the aches began, I grew irritable, and began seeking consolation and explanations for my ailments. A blood sugar drop, dramatic calorie deficit, lack of salt intake came to mind, but no matter how you cut it, bottle two was not going down. It turns out that Huel and I disagree…greatly. Much of the night was spent with my head in the toilet. My lovely roommate Mia brought some bread to the bathroom for me, consummating my official elimination from the Huel challenge Tuesday, February 18 around 10 p.m.
The five remaining participants remain steadfast in their commitment to be Hueled through 12:00 a.m. Sunday, February 23. In hindsight, I may be allergic to something in the Huel. Despite my yacking, I can’t help but feel like I am missing out on Huel week with my buddies. My question of food-forfeiture-style meditation is left unanswered. What have I learned from this experience? I’m not sure. My remaining bag of banana flavored sustenance has been passed onto another Hueligan, (good luck Lydia) and my stomach remains a little queasy on this beautiful, waterless Wednesday. Be mindful of what you put in your body, evaluate if the values you appreciate in your friends are better viewed from afar, and appreciate the not-so-small joy that food brings.
