After reading about the tech-startup/food company Soylent I was driven in my infinite curiosity to learn more. Here are a few things I have learned about the food of the future.Soylent is a full meal in the form of a powder(now pre-made drink). Can be consumed be consumed as a food replacement, think Ensure on steroids. With an open source blend of various ingredients that will fulfill all nutritional needs.
Taste
The taste of Soylent isn't that bad actually. Like oatmeal without any added flavoring. It goes down smooth without any aftertaste. I would recommend trying the base form initially the adding ingredients for taste. Soylent recommends honey, peanut butter or fruits. I tried it plain the whole time, it was just fine.
Prepation
Went to the dollar store and bought a 2 quart sealed pitcher. Steps are easy, something you would expect from space food. I suggest making it in the sink to avoid cleaning any spills.
- Fill the pitcher halfway with water
- Add half Soylent packet
- Close the pitcher and shake twice
4 . Open(there's air in the powder, it will explode if you don't let it out) - Add remainder of Soylent packet
- Shake twice again
- Open
8 . Shake some more - Refrigerate - Let cool for at least 3 hours
Week 1
Soylent goes down fine the first. Drink a glass of water afterward and you will feel FULL. Its a very weird feeling to drink a single glass and feel like you've just ate a meal. One packet is enough to make 4 and that will keep you going for the whole day. One thing you will notice in the first few days(if 100% soylent) is having gas. Your body is not used to this diet, so until it adjust there will be a lot of farting. Weapons-grade fart might not be the best thing if you sleep with a partner, they subside after a few days, something like Gas-X might help to keep it to a minimum.
Week 2
Feeling fine actually. You do feel like there is something missing, when you haven't done all the usual mealtime rituals. No preparing ingredients, lighting the stove, smelling that freshly done smell and cleaning up. Walking to the fridge, drinking a glass of pancake color goo and feeling full is an unusual experience. By this time my jaw hurts a bit from not chewing for a while, having a stick of gum every other day or so help to fight the feeling.
Weeks 3-4
Still feeling great, I can bike, workout and do Jiu-jitsu with no problems. No change in any sleep patterns or libido. I had amazing time and saved a ton of money on food. Each meal was roughly $2.00 averaged across the whole month.
Closing
I had a fun time with Soylent for a month. A with human nature, you can make yourself too busy with your new found free time and skip a meal. "Crap I forgot to drink lunch."
I'll definitely get some more but with more moderation maybe twice a day to keep thing going. Lot of food fads have came and went over the years. I give this one a thumbs up