Soylent is an assortment of meal replacement powders and drinks that contain soy protein isolate. Soylent also contains high-oleic canola oil and isomaltulose. It is rich in healthy fats and essential vitamins and minerals. All Soylent products are vegan, free of nuts and lactose.
In 2014, Silicon Valley engineers founded the company in search of a healthy and “no-fuss alternative” to junk food. But is Soylent healthy? There are pros and cons of choosing this drink over actual meals. If you’re not sensitive to soy, Soylent can be part of a balanced and healthy weight loss plan.
Learn more about the Soylent elements and diet information to find out if this meal replacement drink is right for you.
The 1973 dystopian thriller “Soylent”, starring Charlton Heston, is a good example.
What is Soylent?
Soylent drinks are rich in protein and healthy fats. They may be better for your body than some of the sugary drinks you find at coffee bars. You can choose from pre-mixed drinks in a bottle or you can use the powder at home or on the move to make your own smoothies or fast drinks.
Soylent Full Meal
You can purchase a sampler of these drinks in different flavors, including Banana, Strawberry, Vanilla and Mint Chocolate. The Soylent Cafe is available in Mocha, Chai and Vanilla flavors and contains caffeine. It can be used as an alternative to breakfast. Each drink contains 20 grams of plant protein, 39 essential vitamins and “slow burning” carbohydrates to provide sustained energy.
Soylent Full Protien
This is a high-protein shake that tastes like chocolate. It contains 30 grams of plant protein, 39 vitamins, no added sugar, 5 grams of branch-chain amino acid (BCAAs) and 1,000 milligrams fatty acids.
Soylent Power Drink
This chocolate-flavored beverage contains caffeine, L’theanine, L’tyrosine and alpha GPC for energy and focus. It contains 15 grams of plant protein, 39 vitamins, 450 mg of omega-3s and 3 grams of whole sugar.
Soylent Powders
They are available in chocolate or unique taste. Each one contains 400 calories, 20 grams protein, 39 vitamins and 3.5 grams BCAAs. These could have water as the main ingredient.
Different Merchandise
On-the-go snack bars in flavors such as Chocolate Brownie and Salted Caramel, Soylent Squared are available. The company sells blender bottles and powder scoops, as well as a 3-Day Full Diet Power shake pack, which includes 15 Soylent Full Meal ready-to drink shakes.
Some customers are attracted to Soylent because of its commitment to sustainability. The company claims that their meals system is the best for the world because it uses much less water, produces less carbon dioxide and requires less refrigeration than fresh fruit and vegetables. The company is also devoted to giving back and has taken part in food bank programs that ship their merchandise to those who need better access to diet, both within the U.S. or all around the globe.
Soylent offers pre-mixed beverages for those who are in a hurry and don’t have time to prepare a meal.
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Soylent Elements & Diet
It may be confusing for some customers to understand certain soylent ingredients because the names listed may not be familiar food items. Here are the main ingredients in Soylent drinks.
Soy Protein Isolate
Soy is an excellent plant-based source of protein that can appeal to both vegetarians and vegans. Soy consumption was controversial because it contains phytoestrogens, which mimic estrogen. Many people rely on soy-based foods, including soy protein isolate, a supplement that is 90% protein, to meet their daily protein needs.
Allergy to soy is not a reason for using Soylent products.
Allulose
Allulose is a primary source of slow-burning carbohydrate used in Soylent products. This naturally occurring carbohydrate is low in calories and contains only 0.4 calories per gram, compared to 4 for sugar. It can be found in foods like figs raisins maple syrup and molasses. Allulose is produced by a sustainable fermentation process.
Soylent claims that Allulose does not spike blood sugar levels or insulin levels in healthy people or those with type 2 diabetes.
The glycemic index of each Soylent product is below 55. Soylent powder has a glycemic score of about 41, and a load of 16 glycemic. The glycemic loads of Soylent Drinks vary from 13 to 14. The glycemic loading for Soylent Cafe ranges from 13 to 14.
Excessive-Oleic Sunflower Oil
This healthy unsaturated fat is found in avocados, nuts, and vegetable oils. It’s a vital source of macronutrients. This particular type of sunflower oil contains more oleic acids, a monounsaturated fat that is good for the heart when substituted with other (less healthy) fats like trans fats or saturated fats.
Oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat, is found in olive oil, canola oil and high-oleic sunflower oil.
Canola Oil
Soylent uses both high-oleic sunflower oil and canola for their heart-health benefits. These oils are a great source of omega-3, Omega-6, and Omega-9 fatty acid. Canola is also low in saturated fat, but it’s higher in unsaturated fat, which may reduce the risk of coronary disease.
Isomaltulose
It is a simple carbohydrate that can be added to Soylent drinks as a flavoring. Honey contains a small amount of this carbohydrate. This low-calorie sweetener, which is naturally occurring, has been shown to be healthier than sugar because it digests more slowly and results in a more stable blood sugar level.
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How to Store and Shop for Soylent
Soylent can be purchased as an annual subscription or as an one-time purchase. Whichever option you choose, the price you pay will be determined.
The Soylent Drinks and Soylent Full Protein are the most expensive drinks, with prices ranging from $3.09 per bottle to $3.50 for a single-serving. The Soylent Full Protein, Soylent Full Power, and Unique Soylent Drink each cost $2.48 to 2.75 per bottle. Soylent Powder, Unique and Cacao, costs between $1.50 and $1.82 per meal (35 meals in a pouch).
You may automatically be signed up for a subscription if you buy Soylent products via the company’s website. Subscribers receive regular monthly deliveries and are charged regularly. You can also purchase Soylent from Amazon, or select 7-Eleven stores in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Soylent should be stored in a dry, cool place. Once the product has been opened or prepared, it should be kept in the refrigerator and consumed within 48 hours. All products are marked with an expiration date and a “Finest By”. According to the company, shelf life can vary depending on the warehouse location. Unopened products and available inventory are valid for at least two months after purchase (and possibly up to a year) depending on where the product was delivered from.
Soylent suggests that you consume the product according to the label on the packaging. If you consume the product past the expiration date the design of the product may change.
Is Soylent Healthy?
Soylent products aim to provide a balance of carbohydrates, fats and protein. One bottle of Soylent contains 100 calories from protein, 189 calories from fat, and 144 calories from carbohydrates.
Soylent Diet Information
USDA provides the following information for a serving of Soylent.
Energy: 402
Carbohydrate: 36g (12% DV)
Fats: 21g (32% DV)
Protein: 20g
Sugars (added to): 9g (18%DV)
Fiber: 3g
Sodium: 300mg
If you consume about 2,000 calories per day, one Soylent beverage can provide enough protein and fats, but is low in carbs, making it ideal for those on a low-carb diet. Fiber will also be included to promote satiety. Soylent drinks also contain about 20% of the daily recommended amount of vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, iron magnesium potassium and zinc. If you are trying to reduce your sugar intake, the amount of added sugar (which is usually whole sugar) in a single drink may be excessive.
The fats found in Soylent are considered healthy, but a single serving contains almost a third of the recommended daily intake of fat. This could mean that consuming more than three drinks per day is not recommended unless you are following a high fat diet. The U.S. Division of Agriculture does not set a daily limit for consumption of whole fats, so it is safe to consume more than three Soylent drinks per day to get enough energy. The USDA recommends that saturated fats should not exceed 10% of total energy.
Some nutritionists still adhere to the old advice that you should not consume more than 30%-35% of all your daily calories from fat. If you eat Soylent, then you’ll want to ensure that the other meals you eat are lower in fat to keep your daily fat consumption within these guidelines.
Soylent is a good option for those who don’t have time to prepare nutritious meals each day. The co-founders of the company created this model after they were frustrated by a mild weight loss plan consisting of ramen and corn dogs. Soylent, for them (and others who have had a similar experience), is a nutritional step up. For others, however, the fat content would be too high and not enough to satisfy them in order to maintain healthy eating habits or a healthy weight over time.
Most likely, dieticians would not recommend replacing every meal with Soylent. It’s probably best for those who are busy or have no specific health or dietary needs.
Weight Loss with Soylent
Soylent does not market itself as an weight loss company and makes no weight reduction claims on their website. Comparatively, a SlimFast chocolate shake has 160 calories, while a Nutrisystem Nutricrush is 110. For 300 calories or less, you can make a weight loss smoothie using recent and nutritious ingredients.
Some people may try using Soylent as a weight loss aid. When you are trying to lose weight, meal replacement shakes can be an effective and easy choice. However, Soylent may not be the best option, as it contains more calories (about 400), than other meal substitutes.
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Verywell’s Phrase
Soylent, or any other dietary supplement for that matter, can be a challenge because it can take the fun out of eating. Soylent does make mealtime easier and quicker. For many people, eating a meal can be one of the best parts of their day.
A nutritious diet does not mean that you eat a particular meal. A good diet is a comprehensive plan that provides your body with the energy it needs to function properly and reduce your risk of illness. This includes a variety of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, legumes and carbohydrates (if you tolerate them) as well as healthy fats.
Some people may find that consuming a Soylent product several times a week can help them to save time or achieve their weight loss goal. If you enjoy cooking and have time to prepare nutritious meals with whole foods, Soylent is not likely to be a better diet for you.
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