"Stressed, depressed, and a hot mess, I stopped eating. Physically, I wanted to eat. Mentally, I simply couldn't. A week into my involuntary fast, my therapist suggested meal replacement drinks until we could work out a solution. For six weeks, I forced myself to drink two chocolate Ensures a day until I managed to start piecing my life back together."
"A manicured hand snaps open a can as wistful violins play over a series of text: Just went through a breakup. Is getting married next month. Just lost their job. Just need a break from the world. Looking for community. Just got a promotion. Just surviving the day. The caption reads, 'No matter the moment, Daily Greens are ready to drink.'"
The author shares a personal experience from 2017 when multiple life crises—including family health issues, career struggles, undiagnosed PCOS, a breakup, and unexpected expenses—led to stress-induced loss of appetite and significant weight loss. A therapist recommended meal replacement drinks as a temporary solution during this difficult period. Recently, a Huel advertisement triggered memories of this trauma by marketing its daily greens product to people experiencing various life challenges, from breakups to job loss. The ad's messaging suggests the product is appropriate for any emotional or life circumstance, implying it can address complex personal problems. This marketing approach mirrors similar tactics used by other wellness brands like AG1, which employ science-based language to market products as solutions to broader life issues beyond basic nutrition.
#wellness-marketing #meal-replacement-products #emotional-manipulation #consumer-criticism #health-industry
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