Soylent Drink Review

About Soylent

Soylent is on a mission to make sustainable nutrition accessible for all. With a variety of flavors to choose from, this health and wellness brand specializes in making meal replacement drinks, powders, and bars.

According to the 2015 Advisory Report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Agriculture^[1], Americans are not getting enough vitamin D, calcium, iron, potassium, and fiber from the diet. Despite people’s willingness to adopt a healthy diet, there are too many barriers keeping them from achieving that goal. A survey^[2] conducted in Switzerland revealed these barriers include daily routine, taste, and lack of time.

In this context, Soylent emerged as an option to replace those non-nutritious meals we end up having because of our daily routine or lack of time. Garnering a 40.9k following on Instagram, Soylent has been featured by numerous media outlets, including Vox, The New York Times, and Forbes Magazine.

Considered a contender in Time Magazine’s list of Best Inventions in 2019, it’s apparent that this brand garners a sizable amount of buzz. But the question is, are they worth checking out?

This Soylent drink review will hopefully answer that for you. We’ll dive deep into the brand, products, customer ratings, promotions, and more to help you make that crucial decision.

Overview of Soylent

Living off a diet of instant ramen and frozen meals, founders Rob Rhinehart, Matt Cauble, John Coogan, and David Renteln had just about enough. Their frustration soon turned into a viable business idea.

The group believed that food could be simplified for the better. Using their collective background in software engineering, they started their journey in reinventing the way we think about eating.

Established in 2012, Soylent drew inspiration from a 1966 dystopian sci-fi novel by Harry Harrison called Make Room! Make Room! In case you haven’t read this book, it’s a story that explores population growth and world resources.

While the brand doesn’t hone in on the paranoid nature of the impending apocalypse, they do focus on trying to make nutrition accessible and affordable for all. Soylent states that they want their products to make an impact on student food insecurity, the homeless crisis, and global malnutrition.

Headquartered in Silicon Valley, California, Soylent has grown quite successfully as a business. Today, they have launched brick-and-mortar retail stores and are available in 20k locations in the United States.

The company has also used its newfound popularity for good. It developed the #SoylentForGood program which donates meals to people in need.

Before we get into this Soylent drink review, let’s go over some initial highlights:

Highlights

• A variety of Soylent meal replacement options to choose from, including bars, powders, and drinks
• Offers nutritious food at an affordable price
• Readily available and convenient during an emergency
• Products do not have to be refrigerated and can last for up to one year
• The brand aspires to leave a positive impact on global issues such as homelessness and malnutrition
• The company donates meals to millions of people in need through their #SoylentForGood program
• 30-day subscription option available to save on each order
• Some customers report success with using its meal replacers as part of a Soylent weight loss diet

We know what you’re thinking. Zombie apocalypse, dire resources, and an uncertain future…is  this what Soylent is all about? While it was inspired by a dystopian novel, there’s certainly no panic in getting your hands on meal replacers. But, they do garner some awareness of food insecurity around the world. It’s a problem, and somebody needs to address it.

Designed for those who find it difficult to get three meals a day, as well as people who just want a convenient way to get a daily fill of nutrition, The company is all about making food more accessible. From its powders, beverages, to bars, this Soylent drink review will take a look at some of their best selling products.

Soylent Drinks Review

Packed with your daily nutritional needs, the brand offers a series of Soylent meal replacement beverages on their website. Coming in a variety of different flavors, this Soylent drink review will go through a few of their most popular mixes.

Soylent Drink Creamy Chocolate Review 

If cocoa’s rich, velvety taste is calling your name, try opting for the Creamy Chocolate drink as a healthier option. Packed with soy-based protein, this beverage contains all 9 essential amino acids. It also incorporates slowly digested carbs and fibers, while providing polyunsaturated fatty acids from sunflower and canola oils to keep your cholesterol in check. You get a healthy nutrition fix because this Soylent mix offers up to a 25% daily value of 28 vitamins and minerals.

As highlighted in a narrative review^[3] published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, omega-6 (the most abundant polyunsaturated fatty acids) can reduce LDL cholesterol and cardiovascular disease risk. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends replacing saturated fatty acids with polyunsaturated fatty acids. 

Moreover, a review article^[4] published in Circulation states that omega-3 fatty acids are safe and effective in reducing triglycerides. In a recent systematic review and meta-analysis^[5] published in Clinical Nutrition, the authors gathered data from 13 clinical studies to determine the impact of omega-3 and 6 fatty acids on Metabolic Syndrome risk. The authors concluded that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids had been proven to reduce Metabolic Syndrome risk, while omega-6 fatty acids did not prove to add any benefit. The reduction of metabolic syndrome contributes to lower counts of diabetes, heart disease, and cardiovascular disease.

Infused with unsaturated fatty acids and slowly digested carbs, this beverage is a far cry from those calorie-high cocoa shakes. 

Low-glycemic index diets help people lose weight while preventing obesity-related diseases like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. To achieve a low glycemic index, you need to switch from rapidly absorbed carbs such as sugar and refined grains to slowly absorbed carbs and fibers (contained in green vegetables, fruits, carrots, lentils, all bran cereals, etc.). 

Another systematic review and meta-analysis^[6] found that low-glycemic diets are proven to reduce glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting glycemia, body weight, and total cholesterol levels. As a result, these diets improve glycemic control and may reduce body weight in individuals with diabetes and prediabetes. 

Perfect for breakfast, lunch, or a quick snack, the Creamy Chocolate drink is offered in two different purchasing options:

• One-time purchase for 12 bottles: $42
• 30-day subscription: $37

If your chocolate craving still isn’t satisfied, try opting for a Chocolate Brownie Soylent bar.

Soylent Drink Mint Chocolate Review 

Chocolate addicts, we know how tough it is to resist a cocoa binge. It’s hard to ignore the temptation of decadent truffles, cakes, and ice cream cones when offered. Specifically designed to quell the sweet tooth, the Mint Chocolate drink from Soylent is made to satisfy those Hershey cravings in only 400 calories.

Containing just 1 gram of sugar, this beverage is heavy on soy protein isolate, essential nutrients, and omega-3 fatty acids.

In a meta-analysis^[7] published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, researchers analyzed data from 46 clinical trials that evaluated the impact of soy intake on cholesterol levels. The authors concluded that soy consumption has consistently been shown to reduce LDL and total cholesterol levels in a small but significant manner.

Entirely vegan, gluten-free, and friendly towards those with nut allergies, this Soylent nutrition mix introduces slower digesting carbs to ensure no spikes in blood sugar. In terms of price, the Mint Chocolate drink is available to purchase in two ways:

• One-time purchase for 12 bottles: $42
• 30-day subscription: $37

Soylent Drink Strawberry Review 

Nothing screams the essence of summer more than berry smoothies. The Strawberry drink by Soylent introduces a more nutritional option than its sugary counterpart. Refreshingly sweet with a hint of tartness, this beverage only contains 1 gram of sugar. Its low sugar content is thanks to allulose, a naturally occurring low-calorie carb that simulates the taste of ordinary sweeteners.

Supercharged with vitamins, minerals, slowly digested carbs, amino acids, and healthy fats, this Soylent Strawberry drink can help maintain cell structure, normal hormone production, and can serve as an energy source. 

Friendly for those who live a vegan or keto lifestyle, this berry blast is offered at two available price points:

• One-time purchase for 12 bottles: $42 
• 30-day subscription: $37

Soylent Drink Vanilla Review 

What is more classic than Vanilla? Offering a sweet but subtle taste, this Soylent 2.0 drink contains no added caffeine. Amounting to only 1 gram of total sugars, you don’t need to worry about food-induced crashes later on in the day.

It also contains 39 essential nutrients, including a blend of essential amino acids, which are basically the building blocks of cells and tissues in our bodies, including muscle.

Containing no artificial flavors, colors, dairy, or nuts, this beverage can easily be a substitute for those mega-calorie yogurt drinks or shakes. Adding up to 400 calories in total, you can easily get your growling stomach silenced in order to get work done.

You can purchase the Vanilla Soylent drink in two ways:

• One-time purchase for 12 bottles: $42
• 30-day subscription: $37

Soylent Cafe Mocha Review 

For those that like their coffee sweet, but hate the extra calories, the Cafe Mocha Soylent drink only contains a single gram of sugar. Providing the same robust taste of java with the velvety notes of chocolate, this nutritional alternative may have you saying no to those ‘green mermaid’ cups that are loaded with unnecessary sweeteners.

This meal adds caffeine and L-theanine to the classic Soylent Drink to keep you focused. It’s also crammed with essential vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and low-glycemic-index carbs to help you power through the day. 

Caffeine and L-theanine help improve our performance in cognitively demanding activities. In a study^[8] published in Nutritional Neuroscience, researchers evaluated the impact of caffeine and L-theanine on cognitive functions in healthy volunteers. Results showed that caffeine improved the alertness and attention of participants who were asked to switch tasks. The combination of L-theanine and caffeine offered extra benefits improving the speed and accuracy of attention when switching tasks while reducing the impact of distractions in memory tasks.

The Cafe Mocha drink is offered at two different price points:

• One-time purchase for 12 bottles: $42
• 30-day subscription: $37

Soylent Nutrition Shake Sampler Pack Review 

It’s always good to change things up once in a while. The Nutrition Shake Sampler Pack includes 6 of Soylent’s available flavors. This includes Creamy Chocolate, Strawberry, Banana, Mint Chocolate, Vanilla, and Cafe Mocha.

Made to replace those unhealthy smoothies, juices, and shakes, this collection is designed as a healthier alternative to satisfy those cravings.

The great thing about this kit is that it requires no refrigeration. Users can simply store it in their cupboard or pantry for up to a year. For a cost-effective way to introduce a more sustainable way of living, the Nutrition Shake Sampler Pack costs $25 in total.

Soylent Neopolitan Variety Pack Review

If you’re a fan of the ice cream flavor, there’s a good chance that you’ll like the Neopolitan Variety Pack from Soylent. Including a 12 bottle set of flavors Creamy Chocolate, Strawberry, and Vanilla, this ready-to-drink meal only amounts to 400 calories per serving and 1 gram of sugar each.

Packed with soy-based protein, this collection also contains sunflower and canola oil, which are high sources of unsaturated fats. Enhanced with vitamins and minerals like A, D, and magnesium, you can introduce yourself to the Soylent diet with ease.

Customers can get their hands on the Neopolitan Variety Pack in two ways:

• One-time purchase: $45
• 30-day subscription: $39

Soylent Powder Review

Sometimes you can’t be bothered to cook a meal. But on the other hand, it’s quite unhealthy ordering another round of fast food. At Soylent, customers can get the best of both worlds by purchasing their powder packs.

Made to replace the average meal, they currently offer two available flavors. This Soylent drink review will take a look at some of their cult classics down below.

Soylent Powder – Original Review

Considered the product that started it all, the Powder–Original mix is Soylent’s first-ever formula. Made entirely out of soy-based protein, one serving (8 oz cup) amounts to 270 calories in total. It also contains 3.5 grams of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), 39 essential nutrients (28 vitamins and minerals, 9 essential amino acids, omega-3, and 6), including  330 mg of omega-3 fatty acids. Talk about a nutritional alternative that packs a punch!

When it comes to consumption, users can incorporate a ½ cup of this blend into one cup of water for an 8 oz serving. The brand also recommends adding it to pancakes or fruit smoothies for an additional health kick. Made to provide 35 meals, the Powder – Original mix is offered in a 13.8oz bag.

Customers can get this Soylent green food replacement in two ways:

• One-time purchase: $64
• 30-day subscription: $53

Soylent Powder- Cacao Review 

The Powder-Cacao pack includes all the pleasures of chocolatey goodness but puts a hold on unnecessary sugars. Made to provide a 20% daily value of vitamins and minerals, this blend is infused with soy proteins. At the end of the day, this mix helps to support the immune system and keeps our organs happy and healthy.

While customers can add the Soylent Cacao mix to water to make a simple smoothie, we suggest using it to make a delicious almond butter drizzle on top of toast or waffles. Measured in a 15.8 oz pack, the Powder-Cacao blend can last for up to 35 meals. Down below, you will find two ways to purchase this product:

• One-time purchase: $64
• Subscription: $53

Soylent Reviews: What Do Customers Think?

It’s affordable, tasty, and convenient for people on the go: this would be a quick summary of how online reviewers responded to Soylent. Most of their best-selling formulas, such as their drinks and powder packs, garner hundreds of reviews with positive ratings.

On their website, the company’s bestsellers have each earned an average of 4.2/5 stars or higher:

• Soylent Drink Original: 4.2/5-stars average from over 700 ratings
• Soylent Drink Strawberry: 4.5/5-stars average from over 300 ratings
• Soylent Cafe Chai: 4.5/5-stars average from 153 ratings
• Soylent Powder – Cacao: 4.4/5-stars average from over 500 ratings
• Soylent Powder – Original: 4.7/5-stars average from over 300 ratings
• Soylent Squared Chocolate Brownie: 4.3/5-stars average from 179 ratings

For example, the Creamy Chocolate beverage holds a total of 309 comments with a general score of 4.5/5 stars. One customer has tried many chocolate meal replacement beverages, but Soylent is their favorite: “I will miss cacao but this delivers on the name… I’ve tried a few different nutrition shakes but Soylent obviously has the best nutrition profile… it’s also definitely on the sweeter side, unlike cacao. all in all, it’s quite good.”

We found out that a majority of customers liked that this blend served as a more nutritional alternative to other meals. “I’ve struggled with my weight and bad habits for a long time, but since I’ve tried Soylent, I’ve been able to stick to better eating habits! The taste is so chocolate-y and delicious without it being overbearing or too sweet,” one reviewer wrote.

While there’s a good chunk of people that advocate for Soylent, we’ve also found a sizable amount of people who weren’t a big fan of their meal replacements. Blogger Micheal Kummer noted that their products weren’t as healthy as advertised due to their synthetic use of vitamins and other elements.

In an article published by Allure Magazine, the author states that they experienced stomach issues when consuming Soylent products on a daily basis.

Most of these blogs and in-depth articles had medical professionals comment on the nutritional value of Soylent. We’ve discovered that a majority of them didn’t recommend taking the brand’s drinks and powders on a daily basis. They did agree on the fact that it did provide a quick energy boost on an occasional basis.

This Soylent drink review also discovered a large number of customers using their formulas as a weight loss product. On Amazon, there are several success stories on how people consumed their drinks and powder blends to help them lose a few pounds.

Overall, some customers like the taste of Soylent products, and some report that their meal replacements help them consume additional nutrients or aid weight loss. While some customers did not like the taste or found them hard on their stomach when consumed daily, we found much fewer of these comments than the positive ones, though there were enough that they should not be ignored.

Is Soylent Worth It?

This Soylent drink review thinks the company might be worth checking out for quick, cost-effective nutrition on the go. There are hundreds of positive testimonials that speak to the taste and quality of the brand’s products and Soylent is a brand committed to doing good, as their entire mission revolves around making nutrition accessible for everyone.

The company wants their products to have a positive impact on food insecurity. Packaged in a convenient to-go bottle or container, customers can get their needed fill of vitamins and carbs without the fuss of washing up or producing excess waste.

But, our bodies respond differently when it comes to changes in diet. The same statement can be said for those adapting to a vegan or keto lifestyle. This decision might have a few consequences for people who want to switch over to Soylent as a permanent alternative to regular foods. After switching to the brand’s meal replacement drinks from solid foods, some customers report stomach and digestion issues.

Additionally, some people use Soylent to lose a few pounds, which is where things get a bit blurry. Since the brand isn’t marketed as a weight loss program, we strongly recommend consulting with a doctor first.

If you’re someone who values convenient nutrition for those on-the-go moments, Soylent may be the cost-effective solution you’re looking for. But, we recommend speaking with a medical professional to see if these products are truly beneficial to your health.

Soylent Promotions & Discounts 

Currently, Soylent offers a few ways for customers to save money:

• Refer-a-friend program: Buyers can receive a $10 discount code for every successful referral. Plus, the brand will donate $1 to the World Food Program USA in the name of the referee
• Subscription: Agree to a delivery every 30 days, and you will receive 10-12% off of each order
• Rewards program: Earn 1 point for every $1 spent, then spend points to get access to exclusive deals
• Discount program: Some customers get 15% off every order. This program is available for students, medical professionals, military, veterans, and more. For the complete list, visit the Discount Program page on the brand’s website.

Where to Buy Soylent

By visiting Soylent.com, customers can purchase products, such as the Soylent nectar drink.

The Soylent Amazon, Walmart, and Target collections are also among your options.

FAQ

What is Soylent?

Soylent is a meal replacement company. They make a large assortment of nutritious and delicious powders, beverages, and bars packed with vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids. It’s marketed to be convenient, affordable, and accessible for all walks of life.

Is Soylent FDA approved?

Yes, this Soylent drink review found out that their products are FDA approved. According to the FAQ page, “It contains all the elements of a healthy diet while limiting the amounts of less desirable components such as sugars, saturated fats, and cholesterol.”

The company’s products are also based on recommendations from the Institute of Medicine (IOM).

Is Soylent healthy?

While the brand claims that its products are healthy, we found out that some bloggers online refute this claim. For instance, blogger Micheal Kummer states that “regulators have raised concerns about the safety of these products following reports of vomiting, diarrhea, and various other digestive issues amongst users.”

It is best to speak to your doctor before making any major dietary changes.

Can you live off Soylent?

Yes! Customers can choose to live off of Soylent if they wish. We’ve found a few cases online where users consumed their products for an astounding 3 years. However, this Soylent drink review recommends consulting with a physician first before committing to a strict meal replacement diet.

Is Soylent still banned in Canada?

The brand’s products are no longer banned in Canada. We found this out on a recent Twitter post the company made in August of 2020.

How long does Soylent take to ship?

Soylent products usually take 10 to 15 days to deliver. To ensure that your items arrive within a certain time frame, the brand recommends ordering at least 5 business days in advance.

What is Soylent’s Shipping Policy?

The company offers free shipping on US orders that total $25 or more. For orders below that amount, your Soylent shipping costs will be calculated at checkout. The brand also provides expedited shipping and sells through Amazon Prime.

In terms of tracking numbers, we found no information on their website.

Soylent products can only be purchased within the United States and Canada, but they are currently working on expanding their website to be accessible in other locations.

What is Soylent’s Return Policy?

Because of the nature of the products, customers cannot return or exchange them for a refund. But, a case can be made if the item in question is defective or damaged during transit.

Customers who are deemed eligible for a return have 14 days to submit a claim. To initiate this process, buyers are encouraged to reach out to their customer service team for more details.

How to Contact Soylent Customer Service 

If you have any questions after reading this Soylent drink review, you can contact the company through email, [email protected].

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