Why I Decided to Try Kencko
Hey there! I‘m Jess, a certified nutrition coach and lover of all things health and wellness. As someone who‘s always looking for convenient ways to pack more nutrients into my diet, I was intrigued when I first heard about Kencko. This subscription service delivers powdered organic smoothie mixes straight to your door, making it easy to get your daily fruits and veggies on the go.
Eating the recommended 5-9 servings of produce per day can be challenging for many of us with busy schedules. In fact, only 1 in 10 American adults meet the daily recommended intake, according to the CDC. I‘ll admit, even as a nutritionist, I don‘t always have time to prep fresh fruits and veggies!
So I decided to give Kencko a try for myself and report back to you all on whether it‘s a worthwhile service. I was especially curious about the taste, nutritional value, and overall convenience factor. Let‘s dive into my full experience!
The Kencko Shopping Experience
Ordering from Kencko was a seamless process. Their website is very user-friendly and easy to navigate. You start by selecting how many smoothies you want in each delivery – either 20, 30 or 60 packs per month. Then you get to customize your box with your choice of flavors. They have fun options like Crimsons (strawberry banana), Yellows (pineapple passionfruit), Purples (blackberry açai), and more.
As a first-time customer, I got a bonus offer of a free shaker bottle and nutrition consultation, which was a nice perk! Shipping was also free.
My order arrived within a week of placing it. The packaging was minimal and eco-friendly. Everything was neatly packed in a small box. Each smoothie packet had bright, colorful designs listing the ingredients. My first impression was that Kencko put a lot of thought into their branding and presentation.
Taste-Testing Kencko Smoothies
Now for the moment of truth: how do these powdered smoothie blends actually taste? I tried out the Kencko Greens (with kale, spinach and kiwi), Crimsons (strawberry, raspberry, banana), Purples (blueberry, blackberry), and Corals (beets, strawberry, cherry).
Mixing them up couldn‘t be easier. You just pour the contents of one packet into the shaker bottle, add 10 oz of cold water or milk, and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds. I appreciated that the shaker bottle has a built-in filter to break up any clumps.
To my pleasant surprise, the flavors were delicious! The Greens tasted much better than I expected for something with kale and spinach. It had a nice sweetness from the kiwi and apple. The berry blends were my favorite – perfectly sweet and refreshing. The Corals had a bit of an earthy beet flavor that took some getting used to, but still quite tasty.
The texture was smooth, not grainy or chalky like some powdered supplements can be. Kencko states that their smoothies have a shelf life of 6 months, but I found they tasted freshest within the first month or so of opening the packet.
Nutritionally, I was impressed that there is no added sugar, preservatives or artificial ingredients. The natural sweetness just comes from the fruits themselves. Each smoothie has 2-3 servings of fruits/veggies for only 80 calories or less.
Of course, eating whole produce is still the best way to get fiber and nutrients. But for those days when you‘re in a rush, Kencko can be a great way to boost your intake with minimal effort. Toss a packet in your bag or keep some at your desk for a quick, healthy snack.
A Closer Look at Kencko‘s Ingredients
One thing I love about Kencko is their commitment to using high-quality, organic ingredients. All of their fruits and veggies are flash-frozen at peak ripeness and then slow-dried to preserve maximum nutrients and flavor.
Some of the standout ingredients they include:
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Kale – This superfood is packed with vitamins A, K and C, as well as antioxidants like quercetin and kaempferol that may have anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-cancer effects. Studies show that eating kale may help lower cholesterol and reduce risk of heart disease.
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Beets – Beets are rich in folate, manganese, potassium, and nitrates that can help dilate blood vessels, potentially lowering blood pressure. Betalain pigments in beets also display high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
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Ginger – Ginger root has long been used in traditional medicine for its ability to alleviate nausea, indigestion, and morning sickness. It contains a compound called gingerol, which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
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Turmeric – The key component in turmeric is curcumin, which boasts an impressive array of potential health benefits. It has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory powers that may improve brain function, reduce risk of heart disease and cancer, and alleviate arthritis.
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Açai – These Brazilian berries are low in sugar but high in antioxidants, fiber, and heart-healthy fats. Some research suggests that açai may have a protective effect against certain types of cancer and diabetes.
So while Kencko smoothies aren‘t meant to completely replace whole fruits and veggies, they do retain a lot of similar health benefits. It‘s an easy way to "eat the rainbow" without having to stock up on tons of fresh produce.
Kencko‘s Bestsellers
Out of Kencko‘s 28 flavors, here are a few of their most popular picks:
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Ultra Greens – A refreshing green blend with kale, zucchini, pineapple, banana, lemon juice, dates, and algae protein. Provides 9g plant protein.
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Golden Latte – For an afternoon pick-me-up, try this blend of banana, mango, carrot, dates, and turmeric. The anti-inflammatory turmeric pairs perfectly with a little coconut milk.
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Scarlets – Satisfy your chocolate cravings with this indulgent mix of strawberries, raspberries, sweet potato, dates, coconut, cacao, and chia seeds.
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Ambers – This tropical smoothie features passion fruit, mango, carrot, chia seeds, dates, coconut water, and baobab for a good source of vitamin C.
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Corals – Beets are the star of this bright pink smoothie, joined by cherries, strawberries, apples, dates, and dragonfruit for a serious antioxidant punch.
How The Subscription Works
With Kencko, you‘ll get recurring deliveries of 20, 30, or 60 smoothies shipped to your door every 2-4 weeks (you select the frequency). Shipping is always free.
You can easily customize your flavor selections. If you want to swap out flavors or skip a month, just log into your account to manage your subscription. Kencko will send a reminder email before each order processes, so you‘ll never be surprised by a delivery.
One potential downside is that Kencko currently doesn‘t offer a one-time purchase option outside of the subscription model. However, you can cancel online anytime without penalty. They also have a flexible vacation hold feature.
Personally, I started with the 30 pack to have a smoothie each day. But if you‘re new to Kencko, I‘d recommend starting with the 20 pack and seeing how many you realistically drink in a month before committing to more. You can always change your quantity later.
Can Kencko Help You Lose Weight?
Many customers wonder if Kencko can be an effective tool for weight loss. While the company doesn‘t market itself explicitly as a weight loss solution, the smoothies may be able to support your goals when used in the right way.
At only 60-80 calories per packet, Kencko smoothies are much lower in calories than your typical store-bought smoothie that can clock in at 300+ calories with added sugar. Replacing one of these sugary smoothies or an afternoon vending machine snack with a Kencko drink could create a calorie deficit that leads to weight loss over time.
The high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredients in Kencko, like turmeric and greens, can also help combat obesity. One 2019 meta-analysis in the journal Nutrients found that supplementing with curcumin (the active compound in turmeric) significantly decreased body weight and BMI compared to a placebo.
However, Kencko smoothies are not a meal replacement. You‘ll still need to focus on balanced meals and an overall calorie-controlled diet to see real, sustainable weight loss. Think of Kencko as a helpful tool in your arsenal, but not a magic bullet. Combining the smoothies with a nutritious diet and regular exercise routine is your best bet for success.
Kencko Customer Reviews
You don‘t have to just take my word for it – let‘s see what other customers have to say about Kencko. The brand‘s website features over 2,000 glowing reviews praising the taste, convenience, and health benefits of the smoothies.
One customer raves, "I‘ve been drinking Kencko for a little over a month now and have noticed such a big difference in my overall mood and energy levels throughout the day. It‘s an easy and quick way to cram more fruits and veggies into your daily routine."
On Reddit, reviews are a bit more mixed. Some call the flavors "hit or miss" and say the texture took some getting used to. "It‘s definitely not the same as fresh smoothies, but it‘s as close as you can get while still being shelf-stable and convenient," one Redditor explains.
Most agree that Kencko is still a positive addition to their diets. "As a busy college student, I love being able to quickly make a Kencko in my dorm while running to class," writes another user. "Probably the only way I‘m getting this many fruits and veggies in my diet."
Several bloggers, YouTubers, and registered dietitians have also reviewed Kencko online. Dietitian Alyssa Burnison shared her experience on her nutrition blog, concluding:
"Kencko gets an A+ from me! Sure, I would never advocate that we completely replace whole fruits and veggies with powdered smoothies. Eating the real deal is always best. But we can‘t be perfect all the time. Kencko is an incredible way to conveniently sneak in some extra nutrients and antioxidants, which is better than not eating any produce at all. I‘ll definitely be keeping these stocked in my pantry!"
Is Kencko Worth It?
So now for the final verdict: is Kencko worth the hype? In my opinion, it‘s a resounding yes for anyone looking to seamlessly up their fruit and veggie intake.
At about $2.50 per smoothie, Kencko is more affordable than buying premium bottled smoothies (which can cost $7-$12 each). Of course, DIYing smoothies at home with fresh produce is the cheapest option. But for the convenience factor, I think Kencko provides great value. You‘d be hard-pressed to find a quicker or easier way to absorb this many nutrients on the go.
I also love that Kencko uses 100% organic, whole food ingredients – no fillers, artificial sweeteners, or preservatives. You can feel great about putting these smoothies into your body. Plus, their shelf life makes it easy to always have a couple on hand.
Kencko‘s subscription model and free shipping make it an even more appealing deal. If for any reason you don‘t love the smoothies, you can cancel without hassle.
My biggest piece of advice is to start with a small order and see how Kencko fits into your lifestyle before committing to a larger quantity. Play around with adding the smoothies to yogurt, oatmeal, baked goods, and more to keep things interesting!
I hope this Kencko review was helpful for you to make an informed decision. Stay well and sip on!
Kencko FAQs
How do I mix Kencko smoothies?
Simply combine 1 smoothie packet with 10 oz. of water, dairy milk, or non-dairy alternative (almond, oat, coconut, etc.). Shake in a bottle or blend for 30 seconds until smooth. You can also add to overnight oats, yogurt bowls, baked goods, and more.
How long do Kencko smoothies last?
The smoothie powders have a shelf life of 6 months when stored in a cool, dry place. After opening a packet, consume within 24 hours for best quality.
How much does Kencko cost?
Kencko offers 3 subscription sizes:
- 20 smoothies for $50 ($2.50/smoothie)
- 30 smoothies for $70 ($2.33/smoothie)
- 60 smoothies for $120 ($2/smoothie)
Can I change or cancel my subscription?
Yes, you can easily swap flavors, skip a month, or cancel your subscription at any time from your online account. There are no hidden fees or commitments.
What is Kencko‘s shipping policy?
Kencko offers free standard shipping on all orders within the US and EU member states (other countries may incur an additional delivery charge).
What is Kencko‘s return policy?
Since Kencko smoothies are perishable food products, the company generally does not accept returns. If you have an issue with your order, contact customer service within 7 days of receipt for assistance.
