Mushroom Cocoa, Anyone?

Coders and venture capitalists in Silicon Valley who are too busy to whip up a meal or even step out for one are increasingly getting their energy fix from snacks that border on the bizarre. 

Lab-made liquid lunches or hot coffee fortified with coconut oil have found takers in the experimental among the health-conscious in India too. Ranjita Ganesan compiles a selection of some of the offbeat power foods that have emerged in recent times

Bulletproof coffee

When Priya Aurora wakes up and adds one and a half teaspoons of Patanjali coconut oil to her morning cup of coffee, it is not an accident of the groggy early hours but a deliberate lifestyle choice. This recipe is for something that has become widely known among fitness enthusiasts as “bulletproof coffee”. Some use dollops of unsalted butter instead of the oil. 

 

Rather than being unhealthy, the dose of calories is believed to send a message to the body to begin using that fat for energy all day. And while it sounds unappealing, followers say they like the creamy, nutty taste. After a year of including it in her diet, Aurora, who blogs about the ketogenic diet, says it keeps her energetic for long hours and can effectively replace breakfast. Developed by tech millionaire Dave Asprey in the United States, the original recipe calls for grass-fed butter or MCT oil (medium-chain triglycerides), which are difficult to source in India, leading users like Aurora to find their own substitutes.

Benefits 

It promises a boost of energy and focus that can last for the first half of the day or more.

It helps in toning the body.

Disadvantages

One is required to follow other aspects of the bulletproof diet to gain more from it.

Mushroom drinks

Commonly seen as a kitchen ingredient or as having hallucinogenic properties, mushrooms have been found to have a more medicinal effect in recent years. Mushroom tea and coffee have now entered the menus of health cafes in Los Angeles. Writer and entrepreneur Tim Ferris claims to have been on fire the whole day after having had half a packet. He describes the effect simply as “all the benefits of coffee, minus the jitters.” 
 

Finnish firm Four Sigmatic, which has since moved to the United States, makes powdered drink mixes from a variety of fungi. The fan-shaped reishi is said to help regulate hormones, manage stress, and break down stress-related cortisol. Chaga is rich in antioxidants, while the worm-like cordyceps reportedly improve oxygen uptake. 

Benefits

Builds immunity and energy.

Improves sleep and brain power.

Disadvantages

While there are no side effects, in rare cases, certain mushrooms could neutralise the effect of immuno-suppressive drugs.

Its taste has been likened to weak black tea.

Cricket flour protein bars

In several cultures, it is not unheard of for people to eat insects. What is less known is that the many-legged creatures have found their way into vending machines of swanky offices in the developed world. Crickets are said to be so rich in protein that startups such as Exo have begun grinding as many as forty of them into a single nutrition bar. 

In selling their power snack, the companies talk of how 80 per cent of the world already practices entomophagy or eating insects. Some buyers are motivated by the fact that protein from crickets is seemingly sustainable because they produce 100 times lesser greenhouse gases than cows, and consume less water. Endurance athletes, followers of the paleo diet, and even Pearl Jam guitarist Stone Gossard have endorsed their benefits. The bars show no sign of the bugs and are available in flavours such as banana bread and blueberry vanilla. 

Benefits 

It contains essential amino acids.

It is said to have 15 per cent more iron than spinach, double the protein content of beef, and as much B12 as salmon.

Compared with soy, whey protein and other meat substitutes, it is exposed to lower levels of phytoestrogens.

Disadvantages

It is seen as a taboo in parts of the world.

A study published by Plos One says the sustainability claims may be overstated. It found that crickets have only a slightly higher protein conversion rate than poultry, when raised on similar grain-based diet.

Meal replacement beverage

They are unlikely to inspire Instagram posts but certain lab-made beverages claim to be able to substitute meals in many other respects. Soylent, developed in the United States, or SupermealX, its Indian counterpart, are cream-coloured formulas containing essential nutrients recommended by global medical research organisations. 

SupermealX founder Harsh Batra, a fitness buff, found it hard to stick to any diet while living alone simply because of the effort it took to put together meals. 

This resulted in him routinely reaching for a greasy Nizam’s roll or neighbourhood burger, not without a slathering of guilt. Following the creator of Soylent, he began making drinks from powdered ingredients such as whey protein and oat fibre, and testing it on himself for months. In its first year of circulation, it was tried by fellow startup CEOs, students at IITs and IIMs, and busy professionals. It is set to be relaunched with a fresh name, flavours, and a recipe that will seemingly get rid of the fishy smell from its earlier composition. While betting such formulas can replace food, Batra admits home-cooked meals and rich treats will always be an important part of celebrations. “Even I have my cheat days.”

Benefits

Saves hours spent on cooking. 

Helps avoid skipping meals.

Over time, it is said to reduce craving for junk food.

Disadvantages

While providing equivalent nutrition, it does not carry the enjoyment of a full meal.

Certain algae-based ingredients in Soylent were found to make customers sick.