3 ms·

Ask HN: Do you consume meal replacements like Soylent? If yes, how often?

4 points by truth_seeker 9y ago

0xBA5ED 9y ago
MealSquares. Solid and no soy. 800-1600 Cal per day.
DanBC 9y ago
Some of my friends are fed via naso-gastric tube. This would be for a maybe a week. Some of them also take Ensure Plus. Both are ad-hoc, when needed, under medical supervision, in settings where they don't have much choice.
thorin 9y ago
Why would you do this unless you're an athlete/bodybuilder or have a medical need? Is it purely convenience?
- truth_seeker 9y ago
  Well, including the conditions you mentioned there are multiple scenarios where I find it essential. 1. The food you eat may not have all the vitamins, minerals you need to f unction at your highest level. 2. You are in remote area and you can't afford to cook or perhaps cook vegan meal. 3. You are busy and just don't have time to eat a food and want to save 80% of your time without a loss of nothing.
notheguyouthink 9y ago
I switched my diet to Soylent for a period of time, but then switched to my own creation because it tasted better and felt more "natural" (heavy in oats, mainly). I was on this for about 19 meals a week for roughly 8 months (my memory is fuzzy, it was a few years ago). Overall I disliked Soylent, but liked my own blend. I enjoyed how I felt sated, but never overly full. While my meals lasted, my hunger came back strong when it was meal time. I started it, and stopped it, mostly due to laziness. I dislike eating, so it was a natural concept for me to latch onto. However it was a lot of upkeep since I made my own, and pretty bland, flavor wise. Eventually I made my way to low carb, which has been amazing. Over the years (mostly from childhood) I developed what I believe to be mild blood sugar level issues. Fats over carbs have been amazing for me. I feel sated far longer, I never feel weak like I did on carbs, etcetc. Anyway, that's my story.
- truth_seeker 9y ago
  Care to share your secret recipe ?
  - notheguyouthink 9y ago
    Long since forgotten unfortunately, sorry. I remember it was heavy in oats, as they were the majority of the carb intake. It was ~7 various powders that I blended up with water which would be a days worth.
throwaway413 9y ago
I drink 2-3 Soylent Cacao per day. I don’t usually eat breakfast but if I don’t then I will suffer fatigue 2-3 hours after waking up. Now I start my day with a Soylent which is easy enough that my lazy self will have nutrients in the morning. I will eat a small meal around 11, then I’ll drink another one around 2. I usually go out to eat dinner, or will cook at home. If I work out or play soccer later in the evening, I will drink a 3rd one after that. It has definitely helped me put away the random junk food snacking or helping with not knowing what to cook/eat and just getting on with my day. Also - I hate all the flavors except the cacao one. Especially Coffiest, yuck.

4 points by truth_seeker 9y ago

MealSquares. Solid and no soy. 800-1600 Cal per day.

Some of my friends are fed via naso-gastric tube. This would be for a maybe a week. Some of them also take Ensure Plus. Both are ad-hoc, when needed, under medical supervision, in settings where they don't have much choice.

thorin 9y ago

Why would you do this unless you're an athlete/bodybuilder or have a medical need? Is it purely convenience?

truth_seeker 9y ago
Well, including the conditions you mentioned there are multiple scenarios where I find it essential. 1. The food you eat may not have all the vitamins, minerals you need to f unction at your highest level. 2. You are in remote area and you can't afford to cook or perhaps cook vegan meal. 3. You are busy and just don't have time to eat a food and want to save 80% of your time without a loss of nothing.

notheguyouthink 9y ago

I switched my diet to Soylent for a period of time, but then switched to my own creation because it tasted better and felt more "natural" (heavy in oats, mainly). I was on this for about 19 meals a week for roughly 8 months (my memory is fuzzy, it was a few years ago). Overall I disliked Soylent, but liked my own blend. I enjoyed how I felt sated, but never overly full. While my meals lasted, my hunger came back strong when it was meal time. I started it, and stopped it, mostly due to laziness. I dislike eating, so it was a natural concept for me to latch onto. However it was a lot of upkeep since I made my own, and pretty bland, flavor wise. Eventually I made my way to low carb, which has been amazing. Over the years (mostly from childhood) I developed what I believe to be mild blood sugar level issues. Fats over carbs have been amazing for me. I feel sated far longer, I never feel weak like I did on carbs, etcetc. Anyway, that's my story.

truth_seeker 9y ago
Care to share your secret recipe ?
- notheguyouthink 9y ago
  Long since forgotten unfortunately, sorry. I remember it was heavy in oats, as they were the majority of the carb intake. It was ~7 various powders that I blended up with water which would be a days worth.

throwaway413 9y ago

I drink 2-3 Soylent Cacao per day. I don’t usually eat breakfast but if I don’t then I will suffer fatigue 2-3 hours after waking up. Now I start my day with a Soylent which is easy enough that my lazy self will have nutrients in the morning. I will eat a small meal around 11, then I’ll drink another one around 2. I usually go out to eat dinner, or will cook at home. If I work out or play soccer later in the evening, I will drink a 3rd one after that. It has definitely helped me put away the random junk food snacking or helping with not knowing what to cook/eat and just getting on with my day. Also - I hate all the flavors except the cacao one. Especially Coffiest, yuck.