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This is exactly why I have an issue with meal replacement (e.g. soylent) stuff being used in the long term, or reductionistic nutrition advice that considers fo

This is exactly why I have an issue with meal replacement (e.g. soylent) stuff being used in the long term, or reductionistic nutrition advice that considers food only as a source of protein, carbs, fat and fiber. The fact is, we're discovering a ton of compounds in a ton of foods that have unexpected effects and benefits, not to mention synergistic effects that happen only when multiple compounds are together. To pretend that we know how all of it works seems like hubris to me.

aianus 11y ago
> To pretend that we know how all of it works seems like hubris to me. If nobody gives living on eg. Soylent a shot, we'll never learn one way or the other.
- scott_karana 11y ago
  Absolutely true. However, to make rules without foundation (like the VA disallows cannabis) is just shabby, which is what I think GP was mainly talking about :)
- CuriouslyC 11y ago
  The problem is that in order to really "test" the hypothesis that soylent is equivalent to a healthy diet, you need to compare them under conditions of stress, and over long time periods. Sure soylent might work for the average sedentary type in the short term, but how does it fare for an athlete pushing the boundaries of their body? Additionally, what is the lifespan of a soylent consumer compared to someone who eats a high quality diet loaded with vegetables? I would argue both cases would show the vast inferiority of soylent.
  - aianus 11y ago
    Off topic but, what's the point of living longer if you waste a fifth of your days cooking, cleaning, and eating?
    - redblacktree 11y ago
      What's the point of living longer if I have to consume bland, tasteless crap every time I get hungry?
      - aianus 11y ago
        You'll free up lots of time and money to do better things than eating? Sex, work, sleep, punching myself in the face, pretty much anything beats cooking, eating, and cleaning.

aianus 11y ago

> To pretend that we know how all of it works seems like hubris to me. If nobody gives living on eg. Soylent a shot, we'll never learn one way or the other.

scott_karana 11y ago
Absolutely true. However, to make rules without foundation (like the VA disallows cannabis) is just shabby, which is what I think GP was mainly talking about :)
CuriouslyC 11y ago
The problem is that in order to really "test" the hypothesis that soylent is equivalent to a healthy diet, you need to compare them under conditions of stress, and over long time periods. Sure soylent might work for the average sedentary type in the short term, but how does it fare for an athlete pushing the boundaries of their body? Additionally, what is the lifespan of a soylent consumer compared to someone who eats a high quality diet loaded with vegetables? I would argue both cases would show the vast inferiority of soylent.
- aianus 11y ago
  Off topic but, what's the point of living longer if you waste a fifth of your days cooking, cleaning, and eating?
  - redblacktree 11y ago
    What's the point of living longer if I have to consume bland, tasteless crap every time I get hungry?
    - aianus 11y ago
      You'll free up lots of time and money to do better things than eating? Sex, work, sleep, punching myself in the face, pretty much anything beats cooking, eating, and cleaning.