Tuesday, April 10, 2012

the cereal experiment: Kellogg's Special K Protein Plus

I started the cereal experiment many, many months ago after realizing the cereal I was consuming every day, Special K Fruit & Yogurt, was a sugary (albeit delicious) concoction of low fiber and low protein flakes. While recently standing in the cereal aisle admiring my old love, I spotted a new addition to the Special K family, Kellogg's Special K Protein Plus. Once I realized it fit all of my criteria for a healthy cereal, I decided it would be the next test case in my experiment.


Results. A cereal story:

Sunday morning I opened my box of Kellogg's Special K Protein Plus and popped a flake in my mouth expecting flavor reminiscent of cardboard. To my surprise, a burst of flavor and sweetness struck my senses. "Oh wow!" I exclaimed to my boyfriend who was patiently watching my experimentation. I continued chewing the flake and my smile quickly turned into a grimace as I realized that flavor was coming from artificial sweetener. "What the..." I started while reaching for the cereal box. I quickly searched the ingredient list and made an unfortunate discovery. "Damn artificial sweeter," I muttered in a huff only a healthy living blogger would make. "You have to eat that cereal for the sake of the experiment," retorted my boyfriend in a statement only a healthy living blogger's boyfriend would make. Knowing he was right, I sat down and continued eating...

Sure enough, this cereal is flavored with sucralose. And, while a year ago I wouldn't have noticed - my re-vamped taste buds, now used to fairly 'clean' food, are heightened to this unnatural flavor. My taste buds were not pleased.


Despite its questionable use of artificial sweeter, I enjoyed the hearty, whole grain flavor and crunchy texture of these flakes. As do all flakes, these went soggy a bit earlier than I would have preferred, but maintained the crispness better than other flakes I have tried (I'm looking at you Golden Goodness). There are only 100 calories in the 3/4 cup serving size, which means I poured a double serving and mixed in granola. A girl cannot survive on a measly 100 calorie breakfast.


Kellogg's Special K Protein Plus has some surprisingly impressive nutritional stats. Per serving, there are 5 grams of fiber and a whopping 10 grams of protein. There is also a notable 8% of calories from sugar, which is almost half of what the other cereals contain. But, as noted above this is because although there is little sugar, there is sucralose.

I feel like its final standing as a 5th place winner is biased because my formula does not account for the artificial sweetener content. But, to be fair, based on the current formula results this cereal comes out with a good ranking.


All in all, Kellogg's Special K Protein Plus is a protein-packed sucralose-laced cereal choice that will likely not make a second appearance in my cereal bowl.

18 comments:

  1. Bleh, that sugary fakeness in packaged ceereals is the worst flavor ever! What a bummer.

    Your chart made me realize I can't remember the last time I had cereal - and that's a problem!

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    1. yeah it is pretty gross. and girl - you need to get on the cereal train! i have it every morning (if you hadn't noticed ;) )

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    2. now they have a 'new improved taste'. Sugar is 3rd ingredient listed. They've turned it into a kiddie cereal. May as well eat Lucky Charms. I am a hypoglycemic and can't tolerate sugar. I know several diabetics who ate it prior to this improvement with good results, but now have had to stop

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    3. Yuck! I noticed it too!.. I looked at the box and sure enough..I could not finish this cereal.. I am dispointed as I paid good money for it and it has artificial sweetners..I hate the taste of them and the after taste.. I notice them quick..Wish I had read the ingredients.. Will from now on..

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  2. I definitely don't eat cereal enough ... this has got me craving it!

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  3. Oh I used to eat this cereal when I was younger and didn't know any better too! Such a shame because the stats are great :(!

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    1. haha you are right, great stats. but not a winner in my book. :)

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  4. I'm not a fan either! I'm not a big cereal person to begin with though... I much prefer homemade things like shakes! I'm obsessed with them : )

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    1. i hear ya although i am not a shake or smoothie person at all. i like to eat my food! to each his own,. :)

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  5. That's super disappointing that there was artificial sweetener! Sounds like a fun experiment though! :-)

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    1. it is a fun experiment! thanks for following i will post more! :)

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  6. Prime example why I hate Special K and all of its b.s "weight loss" marketing. That stuff is just as good for you as all those kid cereals like cocoa puffs, apple jacks, and fruity pebbles <- and those ones taste better! haha

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    1. yeah chloe, i hear that. my co-worker recently wen on the 'special k diet' and i wanted to hit her over the head.

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  7. Sad to hear about the artificial sweetener! You got me excited with the first couple of sentences! I used to love Special K Berries but now I can't really take the taste and sweetness!

    xx
    Giovanna
    www.oliveandanarrow.com
    Shabby Apple Gift Card Giveaway!

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    1. haha i will always love special k fruit and yogurt. but, i agree. i bet if i had it now i couldn't stomach it!

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  8. I put up with the sucralose because of the low calorie, high protein, high fiber in the old Special K Protein Plus. Only one store carries it and it is not close, so when there is a sale I buy 10-15 boxes. I didn't notice that the box was different until I had some this morning. It is sickening sweet! Worse than Frosted Flakes---I'm just guessing, because I've never had them. I couldn't eat it. I checked the box and realized the ingredients had changed. Sugar is much higher, more calories and fiber is less. Protein is still the same, but what good is that if it tastes horrible? Why would Kellogg's mess up a good product? Aren't there enough kids' sugar cereals out there? I am disappointed, but also mad because I bought 15 boxes of this candy bar cereal.

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    1. I can not figure out why they increased the carbs (and screwed up the flavor0. I can live with the bad flavor, but the carbs are a killer if you are diabetic. I'd estimate our family ate 5 boxes per month. That is 60 boxes to zero!! I hope everyone quits using this "improvement". Call Kellogg s!! Complain!! 800-962.1413

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