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We have no idea what all the important components of a balanced diet are on a chemical level, it is incredibly naive to think that soylent can mix up a cocktail

We have no idea what all the important components of a balanced diet are on a chemical level, it is incredibly naive to think that soylent can mix up a cocktail that would be optimal.

stale2002 10y ago
The point isn't really to replace your entire diet with this for months. It is meal substitution.
CydeWeys 10y ago
Soylent bars are made out of food, specifically a variety of foods we know that people need all mixed together. It's not like they're mining rocks from the Earth and using complicated chemical reactions to turn raw inorganic materials into food. Also, what does "optimal" even mean? You're setting the bar too high; as long as they're healthier than typical alternatives of eating lots of fast food and processed packaged foods then their addressable market is huge.
- leshow 10y ago
  > Also, what does "optimal" even mean? You're setting the bar too high; as long as they're healthier than typical alternatives of eating lots of fast food and processed packaged foods then their addressable market is huge. this is exactly the kind of research soylent doesnt have on their products. we have no idea if they are 'healthier' or not.
- martinko 10y ago
  > Soy protein, Algal oil, Isomaltulose, Vitamins & minerals You call that food? Suddenly the 'balanced diet' everyone seems to be pushing is not applicable? Yeah ok, I agree that if you are coming from a mcdonalds-only diet, you might do better, but they are positioning themselves as a healthy meal replacement.
  - CydeWeys 10y ago
    It's worth looking at the full ingredients list rather than just a select few. See here: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a2/Bar_Nutrition_Facts_US_REV_NC-01.png/300px-Bar_Nutrition_Facts_US_REV_NC-01.png https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a2/Ba...
- DanBC 10y ago
  > Also, what does "optimal" even mean? You're setting the bar too high; Soylent set the bar that high during their kickstarter by saying it would put you in perfect health, and was suitable for everyone.
timjver 10y ago
Perhaps not optimal, but in a lot of cases probably a lot better than someone's previous diet.
- smallnamespace 10y ago
  Says what science?
  - timjver 10y ago
    I've seen several blood test results posted to the Soylent subreddit, and those generally are very positive. I know that's not a scientific study by any means, and people should be skeptical, but there really is a lot of (anecdotal) evidence out there of Soylent having a positive impact on people's diets. On the other hand, I've hardly seen any evidence of Soylent having a negative impact on someone's health.

We have no idea what all the important components of a balanced diet are on a chemical level, it is incredibly naive to think that soylent can mix up a cocktail that would be optimal.

stale2002 10y ago

The point isn't really to replace your entire diet with this for months. It is meal substitution.

CydeWeys 10y ago

Soylent bars are made out of food, specifically a variety of foods we know that people need all mixed together. It's not like they're mining rocks from the Earth and using complicated chemical reactions to turn raw inorganic materials into food. Also, what does "optimal" even mean? You're setting the bar too high; as long as they're healthier than typical alternatives of eating lots of fast food and processed packaged foods then their addressable market is huge.

leshow 10y ago
> Also, what does "optimal" even mean? You're setting the bar too high; as long as they're healthier than typical alternatives of eating lots of fast food and processed packaged foods then their addressable market is huge. this is exactly the kind of research soylent doesnt have on their products. we have no idea if they are 'healthier' or not.
martinko 10y ago
> Soy protein, Algal oil, Isomaltulose, Vitamins & minerals You call that food? Suddenly the 'balanced diet' everyone seems to be pushing is not applicable? Yeah ok, I agree that if you are coming from a mcdonalds-only diet, you might do better, but they are positioning themselves as a healthy meal replacement.
- CydeWeys 10y ago
  It's worth looking at the full ingredients list rather than just a select few. See here: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a2/Bar_Nutrition_Facts_US_REV_NC-01.png/300px-Bar_Nutrition_Facts_US_REV_NC-01.png https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a2/Ba...
DanBC 10y ago
> Also, what does "optimal" even mean? You're setting the bar too high; Soylent set the bar that high during their kickstarter by saying it would put you in perfect health, and was suitable for everyone.

timjver 10y ago

Perhaps not optimal, but in a lot of cases probably a lot better than someone's previous diet.

smallnamespace 10y ago
Says what science?
- timjver 10y ago
  I've seen several blood test results posted to the Soylent subreddit, and those generally are very positive. I know that's not a scientific study by any means, and people should be skeptical, but there really is a lot of (anecdotal) evidence out there of Soylent having a positive impact on people's diets. On the other hand, I've hardly seen any evidence of Soylent having a negative impact on someone's health.