I've heard non-elderly, non-infirm people consuming the major brand product as a convenient replacement for meals.
Furthermore, all the existing makers have to do is launch another brand and Soylent is more/less boxed into an all but hipster lifestyle business. They would have to fight an uphill battle all the way as there is no real element of defensibly about it in a market where the existing players already dominate the key element: distribution.
As an example of branding nutritional beverages: as a kid, I like carnation instant breakfast because what kid doesn't like any excuse to have chocolate milk for breakfast? It's not quite the same as a complete nutrition product, but it's close enough to illustrate the point of branding. Most people dislike Ensure because it's associated with the infirm and the elderly. If one were to build a complete nutrition brand, it has to be associated with Olympians, military specops and so on.
>Does ramen, McDonalds, and frozen cardboard pizza count as real food?
Nope.
It is pretty expensive to eat good, healthy food all of the time, but I still think middle-class families can afford it (although its getting harder all the time). Sometimes the crappy, unhealthy alternatives are cheaper, but there are still meals that you can cook at home that are pretty inexpensive.
Haha of course, hence the "I doubt that'll happen anytime soon." Though I wouldn't be surprised if it became commonplace for people to swap out their breakfasts for something like Soylent in the near future. I already do something similar by throwing milk, protein powder, ground up oatmeal, and flax seeds into a blender every morning. The convenience is pretty overwhelming, and it has a much better nutrition profile than a bowl of cereal.
I do the same for breakfast, but I feel more comfortable doing so because most of those foods are regulated. I don't believe protein powder is, which is a little scary considering how often it's consumed. If Soylent is to be treated as a supplement (lack of regulation) that is consumed exclusively, it's even more unnerving.
PS - Are you Louis? We had a quick email convo last year. If you need help implementing some of the marketing aspects of EatThisMuch, let me know.
Yeah, thanks for that recipe. I've been drinking those shakes for a week or two now, and I think I feel better.
The recipe, for those who are curious:
- 1/2-1 cup raw oatmeal
- 1-2 tablespoon(s) peanut butter
- 1 scoop whey protein powder (I use Gold Standard Double Chocolate)
- 1 tablespoon flax seeds
- 1 banana
- 1-2 cups milk
Blend the oatmeal and flax seeds into small bits before adding the rest, then add the rest and blend. Chocolate-banana-peanut butter taste, and a pretty good mix of nutrients.
Furthermore, all the existing makers have to do is launch another brand and Soylent is more/less boxed into an all but hipster lifestyle business. They would have to fight an uphill battle all the way as there is no real element of defensibly about it in a market where the existing players already dominate the key element: distribution.
As an example of branding nutritional beverages: as a kid, I like carnation instant breakfast because what kid doesn't like any excuse to have chocolate milk for breakfast? It's not quite the same as a complete nutrition product, but it's close enough to illustrate the point of branding. Most people dislike Ensure because it's associated with the infirm and the elderly. If one were to build a complete nutrition brand, it has to be associated with Olympians, military specops and so on.