In January 2019, we contracted an independent market research company to conduct a blind taste test of Keto Chow compared to 4 other “Meal Replacement” products designed for a ketogenic diet. It was a very cool experience! Here are the takeaways we discovered:
All but one of the shakes tested were Chocolate (the outlier only has a single flavor and it’s not chocolate), all were prepared exactly following the manufacturer recommendations on the label to ensure that the test was not biased towards Keto Chow. If Keto Chow wasn’t the best, we wanted to know it – an unfair test would be of no use.
2 of the competitor shakes are designed to give you complete nutrition, somewhat similar to Keto Chow, though one indicates you need 4 per day and the other recommends 5 for complete nutrition; compared to Keto Chow which only requires 3 shakes for complete nutrition. The other two shakes are NOT designed for complete nutrition and are only suitable for occasional meals a few times a week at most.
Of the 5 shakes tested, only Keto Chow has been used in a public experiment as the sole source of food of the creator of the product to prove it is, as claimed, nutritionally complete and viable as an actual MEAL replacement and not simply an occasional snack.
Going into the test, we were a little worried that Keto Chow wouldn’t dominate the test so we performed our own in-house taste test and filmed it.
Well, that was a great result =) Keto Chow was the clear winner!
Count | % | |
Male | 28 | 54% |
Female | 24 | 46% |
Count | % | |
Under 18 [Thank & Terminate] | 0 | 0% |
18 to 25 | 4 | 8% |
26 to 29 | 5 | 10% |
30 to 35 | 2 | 4% |
36 to 45 | 11 | 21% |
46 to 50 | 9 | 17% |
51 to 55 | 7 | 14% |
56 to 60 | 5 | 10% |
61 to 64 | 4 | 8% |
65 to 70 | 5 | 10% |
More than 70 [Thank & Terminate] | 0 | 0% |
Average Mean | 46.21 years old | |
Median | 47.50 years old |
Count | % | |
Married | 47 | 90% |
Living with Partner | 0 | 0% |
Single | 3 | 6% |
Divorced / Separated | 1 | 2% |
Widowed | 1 | 2% |
Count | % | |
Full Time (Working more than 30 hours a week) | 26 | 50% |
Part Time (Working less than 30 hours a week) | 13 | 25% |
Homemaker / Stay at Home Parent | 8 | 15% |
Other (Specify) | 5 | 10% |
Unemployed / Looking for Work | 0 | 0% |
Count | % | |
Less than High School | 0 | 0% |
High School Graduate | 9 | 17% |
Some College or Trade School | 11 | 21% |
College Graduate | 27 | 52% |
Post-college Graduate | 5 | 10% |
Count | % | |
Less than $35,000 | 5 | 10% |
$35,000 to $49,999 | 4 | 8% |
$50,000 to $59,999 | 4 | 8% |
$60,000 to $69,999 | 7 | 14% |
$70,000 to $99,999 | 15 | 29% |
$100,000 to $124,999 | 10 | 19% |
$125,000 to $149,999 | 2 | 4% |
$150,000 or more | 5 | 10% |
“How often do you consume a meal replacement drink or shake, such as a protein shake? Would you say…”
Count | % | |
Never | 8 | 15% |
Once per Month or Less Often | 14 | 27% |
A Few Times per Month | 14 | 27% |
Once per Week | 7 | 14% |
A Few Times per Week | 3 | 6% |
Daily | 6 | 12% |
“What is your overall impression of this meal supplement beverage?”
Drink A | Drink B | Keto Chow | Drink D | Drink E | ||||||
Count | % | Count | % | Count | % | Count | % | Count | % | |
1 = Very Negative | 6 | 12% | 4 | 8% | 0 | 0% | 14 | 27% | 1 | 2% |
2 | 14 | 28% | 9 | 17% | 2 | 4% | 16 | 31% | 3 | 6% |
3 | 9 | 18% | 12 | 23% | 4 | 8% | 12 | 23% | 4 | 8% |
4 = Neutral | 3 | 6% | 7 | 14% | 6 | 12% | 3 | 6% | 6 | 12% |
5 | 11 | 22% | 10 | 19% | 5 | 10% | 3 | 6% | 13 | 25% |
6 | 6 | 12% | 9 | 17% | 21 | 41% | 3 | 6% | 17 | 33% |
7 = Very Positive | 2 | 4% | 1 | 2% | 13 | 26% | 1 | 2% | 8 | 15% |
Average Mean | 3.49 | 3.79 | 5.53 | 2.58 | 5.12 | |||||
Median | 3.00 | 4.00 | 6.00 | 2.00 | 5.00 |
Keto Chow had higher impression scores compared to every drink.
Each participant stated why they rated each drink the way they did. Click a tab to read their verbatim responses about each drink.
Rating 1
Rating 2
Rating 3
Rating 4
Rating 5
Rating 6
Rating 7
Wouldn’t Say
Rating 1
Rating 2
Rating 3
Rating 4
Rating 5
Rating 6
Rating 7
Rating 1 – no responses
Rating 2
Rating 3
Rating 4
Rating 5
Rating 6
Rating 7
Wouldn’t Say
Rating 1
Rating 2
Rating 3
Rating 4
Rating 5
Rating 6
Rating 7
Rating 1
Rating 2
Rating 3
Rating 4
Rating 5
Rating 6
Rating 7
Drink A | Drink B | Keto Chow | Drink D | Drink E | ||||||
Count | % | Count | % | Count | % | Count | % | Count | % | |
1 = Very Negative | 6 | 12% | 4 | 8% | 0 | 0% | 14 | 27% | 1 | 2% |
2 | 14 | 28% | 9 | 17% | 2 | 4% | 16 | 31% | 3 | 6% |
3 | 9 | 18% | 12 | 23% | 4 | 8% | 12 | 23% | 4 | 8% |
4 = Neutral | 3 | 6% | 7 | 14% | 6 | 12% | 3 | 6% | 6 | 12% |
5 | 11 | 22% | 10 | 19% | 5 | 10% | 3 | 6% | 13 | 25% |
6 | 6 | 12% | 9 | 17% | 21 | 41% | 3 | 6% | 17 | 33% |
7 = Very Positive | 2 | 4% | 1 | 2% | 13 | 26% | 1 | 2% | 8 | 15% |
Average Mean | 3.49 | 3.79 | 5.53 | 2.58 | 5.12 | |||||
Median | 3.00 | 4.00 | 6.00 | 2.00 | 5.00 |
As a very subjective test, it’s difficult to hit the “just right” 4 of the sweetness comparison. With a score of 5.53, Keto Chow is a little on the sweeter side than many of the participants would prefer, though not by much.
Appearance | Drink A | Drink B | Keto Chow | Drink D | Drink E | |||||
Count | % | Count | % | Count | % | Count | % | Count | % | |
1 = Not at all Appealing | 2 | 4% | 2 | 4% | 0 | 0% | 1 | 2% | 0 | 0% |
2 | 3 | 6% | 9 | 17% | 0 | 0% | 7 | 14% | 3 | 6% |
3 | 7 | 14% | 10 | 19% | 0 | 0% | 3 | 6% | 2 | 4% |
4 = Neutral | 15 | 29% | 12 | 23% | 5 | 10% | 10 | 19% | 13 | 25% |
5 | 7 | 14% | 9 | 17% | 8 | 15% | 13 | 25% | 7 | 14% |
6 | 12 | 23% | 7 | 14% | 17 | 33% | 11 | 21% | 15 | 29% |
7 = Very Appealing | 6 | 12% | 3 | 6% | 22 | 42% | 7 | 14% | 12 | 23% |
Average Mean | 4.58 | 3.96 | 6.08 | 4.69 | 5.25 | |||||
Median | 4.00 | 4.00 | 6.00 | 5.00 | 6.00 |
Keto Chow had a statistically significantly higher appearance rating than every other drink.
Flavor | Drink A | Drink B | Keto Chow | Drink D | Drink E | |||||
Count | % | Count | % | Count | % | Count | % | Count | % | |
1 = I Did NOT Like it at All | 14 | 27% | 4 | 8% | 1 | 2% | 18 | 35% | 3 | 6% |
2 | 8 | 15% | 11 | 21% | 1 | 2% | 15 | 29% | 4 | 8% |
3 | 11 | 21% | 11 | 21% | 4 | 8% | 9 | 17% | 5 | 10% |
4 = Neutral | 2 | 4% | 5 | 10% | 4 | 8% | 3 | 6% | 4 | 8% |
5 | 8 | 15% | 8 | 15% | 7 | 14% | 5 | 10% | 7 | 14% |
6 | 6 | 12% | 7 | 14% | 19 | 37% | 2 | 4% | 17 | 33% |
7 = I Liked it a Lot | 3 | 6% | 6 | 12% | 15 | 29% | 0 | 0% | 11 | 22% |
Average Mean | 3.23 | 3.90 | 5.59 | 2.38 | 5.02 | |||||
Median | 3.00 | 3.50 | 6.00 | 2.00 | 6.00 |
Keto Chow had a higher rated flavor than every other drink.
Texture | Drink A | Drink B | Keto Chow | Drink D | Drink E | |||||
Count | % | Count | % | Count | % | Count | % | Count | % | |
1 = I Did NOT Like it at All | 3 | 6% | 3 | 6% | 1 | 2% | 20 | 39% | 0 | 0% |
2 | 1 | 2% | 5 | 10% | 2 | 4% | 14 | 27% | 3 | 6% |
3 | 8 | 15% | 5 | 10% | 4 | 8% | 9 | 17% | 5 | 10% |
4 = Neutral | 11 | 21% | 10 | 19% | 1 | 2% | 2 | 4% | 4 | 8% |
5 | 16 | 31% | 8 | 15% | 5 | 10% | 4 | 8% | 9 | 17% |
6 | 7 | 14% | 12 | 23% | 15 | 29% | 1 | 2% | 19 | 37% |
7 = I Liked it a Lot | 6 | 12% | 9 | 17% | 24 | 46% | 2 | 4% | 12 | 23% |
Average Mean | 4.56 | 4.67 | 5.85 | 2.37 | 5.38 | |||||
Median | 5.00 | 5.00 | 6.00 | 2.00 | 6.00 |
According to taste testers, Keto Chow had a better texture than every other drink.
“Overall, would you say the drink has a natural or an artificial FLAVOR?”
Drink A | Drink B | Keto Chow | Drink D | Drink E | ||||||
Count | % | Count | % | Count | % | Count | % | Count | % | |
Natural | 19 | 37% | 26 | 50% | 32 | 62% | 15 | 29% | 26 | 50% |
Artificial | 31 | 60% | 22 | 42% | 19 | 37% | 35 | 69% | 26 | 50% |
Other (Please specify) | 2 | 4% | 4 | 8% | 1 | 2% | 1 | 2% | 0 | 0% |
When asked if the drink has a natural or an artificial flavor, Keto Chow (62%) had a higher proportion answer “natural” compared to all other drinks.
“Other” Responses:
Drink A
Drink B
Keto Chow
Drink D
Drink E
“Overall, would you say the drink has a natural or an artificial SWEETNESS?”
Drink A | Drink B | Keto Chow | Drink D | Drink E | ||||||
Count | % | Count | % | Count | % | Count | % | Count | % | |
Natural | 19 | 37% | 30 | 58% | 37 | 71% | 20 | 39% | 27 | 52% |
Artificial | 32 | 62% | 21 | 40% | 15 | 29% | 29 | 56% | 25 | 48% |
Other (Please specify) | 1 | 2% | 1 | 2% | 0 | 0% | 3 | 6% | 0 | 0% |
71% of taste testers said Keto Chow (which uses sucralose) had a “natural” sweetness compared to the other shakes which only use so-called “natural” sweeteners. This coincides with our own experience and is the reason Keto Chow uses sucralose for most flavors. There is a more in-depth discussion on this subject here.
“Other” Responses
Drink A
Drink B
Keto Chow
Drink D
Drink E
“How likely would you be to recommend this drink to a friend or family member?”
Drink A | Drink B | Keto Chow | Drink D | Drink E | ||||||
Count | % | Count | % | Count | % | Count | % | Count | % | |
0 = Not at all Likely | 8 | 15% | 7 | 14% | 1 | 2% | 14 | 27% | 1 | 2% |
1 | 5 | 10% | 3 | 6% | 0 | 0% | 11 | 21% | 1 | 2% |
2 | 7 | 14% | 5 | 10% | 2 | 4% | 8 | 15% | 5 | 10% |
3 | 7 | 14% | 8 | 15% | 1 | 2% | 9 | 17% | 3 | 6% |
4 | 6 | 12% | 6 | 12% | 4 | 8% | 4 | 8% | 3 | 6% |
5 | 7 | 14% | 6 | 12% | 4 | 8% | 2 | 4% | 6 | 12% |
6 | 4 | 8% | 6 | 12% | 3 | 6% | 0 | 0% | 5 | 10% |
7 | 0 | 0% | 3 | 6% | 7 | 14% | 2 | 4% | 7 | 14% |
8 | 5 | 10% | 2 | 4% | 12 | 23% | 1 | 2% | 7 | 14% |
9 | 2 | 4% | 5 | 10% | 9 | 17% | 1 | 2% | 11 | 21% |
10 = Very Likely | 1 | 2% | 1 | 2% | 9 | 17% | 0 | 0% | 3 | 6% |
Average Mean | 3.67 | 4.21 | 7.25 | 2.13 | 6.27 | |||||
Median | 3.00 | 4.00 | 8.00 | 2.00 | 7.00 |
Keto Chow had a statistically significantly higher average than any other company when it came to participants’ likelihood to recommend the drinks to a friend or family member.
NPS: The Net Promoter Score is an industry standard metric based off the following formula:
((Proportion Answering 9 or 10)-(Proportion Answering 0-6))*100
Those answering 9 or 10 are considered Supporters and those answering 0 through 6 are Detractors, so the Net Promoter Score serves as a way of determining the relative proportion of people who will be promoting a product. The table below contains all of the Net Promoter Scores for each drink that was part of the test. As can be seen, Keto Chow is the only product with a positive Net Promoter Score according to the above formula.
Drink | Drink A | Drink B | Keto Chow | Drink D | Drink E |
Net Promoter Score | -78.85 | -67.31 | 5.77 | -90.39 | -19.23 |
“Write the number of the drink you preferred the MOST next to Rank #1, then write the number of the drink you preferred SECOND MOST next to Rank #2, and so forth until you have ranked all 5 drinks. The number of the drink you preferred the LEAST should be written next to Rank #5.”
Rank 1 | Rank 2 | Rank 3 | Rank 4 | Rank 5 | Avg. Rank | Rank Score | |
Drink A | 2 | 7 | 14 | 19 | 9 | 3.51 | 127 |
Drink B | 3 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 3.43 | 131 |
Keto Chow | 30 | 11 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1.63 | 223 |
Drink D | 0 | 2 | 7 | 14 | 28 | 4.33 | 85 |
Drink E | 16 | 20 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 2.10 | 199 |
Keto Chow had a higher ranking across testers than every other drink.
Chris Bair is a technology and computer geek. He became involved in the nutritionally complete "future foods" movement in January 2014, originally with a conventional recipe and later switching to a high fat, low carb "ketogenic" variant on October 2014. In January 2015 he created the recipe for Keto Chow and released it without restriction for anyone to use, at the same time he began mixing the recipe up for people that wanted a finished product and has seen steady growth in the business every month since.