Starting your day with a high-protein cereal — and high-protein foods in general — has myriad benefits. For starters, protein is a vital macronutrient, meaning your body needs it in large amounts to support basic functions (think building tissue and repairing cells), according to the book, Biochemistry, Nutrients. Adding high-protein cereal to your rotation can help you get a jump-start on your protein intake first thing in the morning, points out Whittington. Short-term solution: The Special K diet is also not a long-term solution—it's marketed as a short-term solution to follow for two weeks only. It also provides limited nutrients. Eating the same foods over and over can limit the overall amount and variety of nutrients you consume.

When you consider that 10g of sugar is the equivalent of 2.5 teaspoons of sugar (which has no nutritional value) then Special K is maybe not as healthy as you thought it was. Fibre For an added protein boost, Kellogg’s have created a Special K Protein cereal, which provides 15g of protein (which rises to 22g when served with ¾ cup of skimmed milk) making it a better option to help top up your protein levels. Calories The Original Special K contains vitamins A, C and E, plus also has B-complex vitamins such as niacin and riboflavin.

Our final thoughts… is Special K healthy?

Finally, a great-tasting cereal that is gluten-free! Kellogg’s Special K protein boasts an array of taste-tantalizing crispy flakes crafted out of whole-grain brown rice. Is Special K Protein Cereal Vegan? Day 7: Special K cereal with milk; carrots; Special K protein bar; blueberries; ropa vieja with rice What You Can Eat This product is both nutritious and delicious and is made with high-quality ingredients, including rice, lightly sweetened wheat, and soy flakes. For best results, team it with a protein shake. Is Special K Protein Cereal High in Fiber? Low-risk: The Special K diet doesn’t require you to go long periods of time without eating or to eat questionable supplements or products. It’s a relatively safe diet to follow for the short-term only.

The Red Berries and Honey & Oats flavours score slightly higher but are not going to make a significant impact on your daily intake of fibre. The Original variety contains almost no fat at all, with Red Berries containing just 0.5g and the Honey & Oats 1g. Finally, like standard versions, high-protein cereals can be sweetened with sugar or artificial sweeteners or have no sweeteners at all, says Pasquariello. Generally speaking, options sweetened with added sugar typically have cane sugar, just like traditional cereals, she notes. "You may also see stevia extract and/or monk fruit extract added to unsweetened high-protein cereals to make them more palatable," adds Pasquariello. Options with milk protein may also taste sweeter, as the ingredient is naturally sweet. The warming cinnamon flavor and sweet brown sugar are guaranteed to put a spring in your step. To add even more flavor, pair your breakfast cereal with fresh blueberries. Special K Protein Cereal Store Brand Alternatives The only positive about Special K is the added vitamins and minerals which offer some health benefits.The amount of protein per serving can vary widely too. In general, high-protein cereals may offer between eight to 20 grams per serving, according to Whittington. (For context, the protein in traditional cereal is typically two to four grams of protein per cup, according to Pasquariello.) When shopping for high-protein cereals, Pasquariello usually looks for options with about 10 grams of protein and five grams of sugar (or less) per serving, but these numbers will differ depending on your goals and taste preferences, she notes. For more personalized recommendations, chat with a doctor or dietitian. Practical: The Special K diet takes the guesswork out of what to eat at meals. You simply swap out two meals per day with a portion-controlled bowl of cereal. You'll spend less time and money planning and preparing meals. Special K cereals and other products are familiar to most people and can be easily found at your local grocery store. Doesn't create healthy habits: By following a short-term diet or challenge with specific meal replacement products, you’re not establishing good-for-you habits or learning how to incorporate healthy, real foods into your diet for the long-term. Day 1: Special K cereal with milk; strawberries; Special K protein shake; carrot strips with baba ganoush; turkey stuffed peppers, green salad This makes Special K Original a bad choice if you are looking for a breakfast option to increase your fibre intake.

We’ve not found that Special K cereal has any advantages for weight loss over the majority of many other breakfast cereals. It would be worthwhile adding a chopped banana or apple to your bowl of Special K to increase the amount of fibre you eat at breakfast. Fat content Day 6: Special K protein shake; grapefruit; Special K cereal with milk; bell pepper strips with salsa; salmon, spinach, and mushroom quiche, whole-wheat toastDue to the vitamin D3 found in this complete protein cereal, this food product is not classed as a vegan for those who are on a strict vegan diet as vitamin D3 is derived from sheep’s wool. The ‘Pinch an Inch’ campaign, created in 1984, is described as one of the most disheartening commercials you’ll ever see. We’ll let you come up with your own verdict; watch it here. In total, Kellogg’s Protein Breakfast Cereal boasts 15 grams of protein, which means those that enjoy this staple food as part of a balanced lifestyle stay satisfied for longer. Kellogg’s Special K cereal has long been marketed as a healthy breakfast option. Advertising campaigns such as their 2005 ‘Drop A Jean Size Challenge’, have helped to cement Special K’s reputation as the cereal choice that can help with weight loss.