Special K

This article is about the food. For other uses, see Special K (disambiguation).

Special K is an American brand of breakfast cereal and meal bars originally manufactured by Kellogg's. The cereal was introduced to the United States in 1955.^[1] It is made primarily from grains such as lightly toasted rice, wheat and barley. Special K used to be marketed primarily as a low-fat cereal that can be eaten to help one lose weight.^[2] Following the 2023 spinoff of Kellogg's North American cereal division, the cereal is manufactured by WK Kellogg Co for the United States, Canada, and Caribbean markets. The former Kellogg's, renamed Kellanova, continues to manufacture the cereal for the rest of the world and the meal bars for all markets.

Special K

Kellogg's Special K Original – Toasted Rice Cereal, with milk
Product type	Breakfast cereal, cereal bar
Owner	WK Kellogg Co (cereal, North America) Kellanova (cereal, rest of world; meal bars)
Country	U.S.
Introduced	1955; 69 years ago (1955)
Previous owners	Kellogg's (1955–2023)
Website	specialk.com

Special K Challenge

The Special K brand previously advocated the "Special K Challenge." The goal of this challenge was to help an individual lose six pounds in two weeks; this loss was achieved by eating specific Special K products throughout the day. The diet began with a single serving of any Special K cereal, accompanied with 2/3 cup of skim milk and a side of fruit. The second meal of the diet included either a Special K Protein Meal Bar, Special K Protein Shake, or another serving of Special K cereal with 2/3 cup of skim milk and a side of fruit. The third meal of the day could be consumed normally, without any Special K restrictions. Throughout the day, an individual is allotted two Special K snacking times, eating any of the following specified snacks: Special K Protein Meal Bars, Special K Protein Shakes, Special K Breakfast Shakes, Special K Protein Granola Bars, Special K Crackers, Special K Cracker Chips, or Special K Popcorn. For any additional snack servings, an individual could consume fruits and vegetables. During the challenge, drinks could be consumed normally.^[3]

Critics of the Special K diet feel that it may leave dieters feeling hungry because of its limited food options and deter people from sticking to the diet. The diet has been criticised for being too low in protein, fiber, vegetables, and fruits. The diet does not include guidance on how to change unhealthy overeating or lack of exercise and their importance to permanent weight loss.^[3][4]

Nutrition

In the United States, Special K Original has 120 calories per 31g cup serving. One serving contains 0.5g fat, 23g carbohydrates, 4g sugar, and 6g protein.^[5] In the United Kingdom, Special K Original is 17% sugar, meaning a 30g serving contains 5g of sugar.^[6]

In the UK in 2014, an advertising campaign focused on a study run in collaboration with the Department of Human Sciences at Loughborough University, requiring overweight volunteer subjects to replace two meals a day with a bowl of the cereal, for a period of two weeks.^[7] At the conclusion of the study three-quarters of participants experienced fat loss.^[8]

Varieties

In the US, Special K cereal currently comes in fifteen different varieties: Original, Chocolatey Delight, Chocolatey Strawberry, Cinnamon Pecan, Red Berries, Vanilla Almond, Fruit & Yogurt, Brown Sugar Gluten Free, Oats & Honey, Touch of Honey Granola, Chocolate Almond, Cranberry Granola, Protein, Cinnamon Sugar Crunch Protein, Blueberry Lemon, and Apple Cinnamon Crunch (Seasonal).^[9]

In the UK & Ireland, Special K cereal comes in ten different varieties: Original, Red Berries, Hazelnut & Almond, Milk Chocolate, Strawberry and Chocolate, Fruit & Nut, Creamy Berry Crunch, Peach & Apricot, and Yoghurty.^[10]

Meal replacement

 

Special K meal bar

In the US, Special K provides meal replacements in two forms: protein meal bars and protein shakes.

There are eleven varieties of Special K Protein Meal Bars: Mocha Crunch Protein, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Strawberry, Double Chocolate, Chocolatey Chip, Honey Almond, Cranberry Walnut, Chocolate Caramel, Chocolatey Brownie, and Chocolatey Dipped Mint.^[11]

There are eight varieties of Special K Protein Shakes: Milk Chocolate, Strawberry, French Vanilla, Rich Chocolate, Strawberry Banana, Chocolate Mocha, Vanilla Cappuccino, and Raspberry Cheesecake.^[12]

Snacks

Kellogg's Special K snacks are marketed as low-fat alternatives to regular snacks. There are several varieties of Special K snacks, including Special K Protein Granola Bars, Special K Breakfast Shakes, Special K Cereal Bars, Special K CrackerChips, Special K Popcorn, and Special K Crackers.

There are four varieties of Special K Protein Granola Bars: Chocolatey Peanut Butter, Dark Chocolate, Greek Yogurt & Fruit, and Almond Honey Oat.^[13]

There are five varieties of Special K Breakfast Shakes: Chocolate Mocha Coffee House, Vanilla Cappuccino Coffee House, Chocolate Delight, Red Berries, and French Vanilla.^[14]

There are two varieties of Special K Cereal Bars: Red Berries, and Chocolatey Pretzel.^[15]

There are five varieties of Special K Cracker Chips: Sea Salt, Cheddar, Sour Cream & Onion, Barbecue, and Salt & Vinegar.^[16]

There are two varieties of Special K Popcorn: Kettle Corn and White Cheddar.^[17]

There is one variety of Special K Crackers: Multi-grain.^[18]

Beverages

Special K₂O Protein Water

 

Special K protein water, launched in 2006 and then discontinued

Kellogg's Special K₂O Protein Water was a beverage released in September 2006 by the Kellogg Company. It was produced in several flavors and has been marketed as a weight-control and weight-loss product. The product was re-launched in 2007 by the Kellogg Company. The product is no longer available. Special K₂O Protein Water was available in several flavors, including Strawberry Kiwi,^[19] Lemon Twist, and Tropical Blend. Marketed as a low-calorie alternative protein drink, a 16-ounce bottle of K₂O contains 5 grams of protein,^[20] 10% DV of calcium, and 50 calories.^[20] The product has also been marketed as a weight-loss product,^[21] and has been marketed as part of "The Special K Challenge" and "Feeling good never looked better" advertising campaigns.^[22]

On August 15, 2007, Kellogg's re-launched Special K₂O Protein Water with enhanced graphics and a new flavor, Mixed Berry. In addition to the 5 grams of protein, the product was formulated with 5 grams of soluble fiber,^[20] from polydextrose, and 20% DV each^{[citation needed]} of vitamins B₃ (Niacin), B₆, and B₁₂^[19] while maintaining 50 calories. The product was also manufactured in a powdered form as a drink mix that is sold in packets, which is then added to water.^[23] The powdered product has 30 calories,^[24] 5 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein per serving.^[23] The powdered mix has also been marketed as a weight-control product.^[25]

Special K Protein Shakes

Kellogg's produces Special K Protein Shakes.^[26]

Controversies

Canada

Until mid-2014, Kellogg's used a special Special K formula that was different in Canada from that used in the U.S. This formulation was similar to the original Special K introduced in the US in 1955. With the June 2014 closure of Kellogg's London, Ontario plant, Canadians now eat Special K that is made in the U.S.^[27]

Denmark

Denmark has outlawed the addition of vitamins in Kellogg's products since 2004. Danish health officials banned cereals containing added vitamins because they claimed Kellogg's Special K wanted to add extremely high levels of vitamin B₆, calcium, folic acid, and iron, which would reach toxic levels when eaten on a daily basis. Young children risk liver and kidney damage while the fetuses of pregnant women could suffer complications.^[28]

The Netherlands

In an episode aired on October 15, 2009, the Dutch television show Keuringsdienst van Waarde [nl],^[29] followed up one of Kellogg's Special K nutritional claims, namely the addition of iron. The show provided evidence that the iron was not nutritional ionic iron—as it occurs in natural foods like spinach—but was, in fact, metallic iron. The nutritional experts in the show agreed that metallic iron should not be part of a diet.^[30] After the airing, the Dutch food authority nuanced the claims made in the TV program, claiming there are no health risks. They also challenged the claim that the cereal could contain "shredded bites," and responded that iron powder is suitable for human consumption.^{[citation needed]}

United States

In late February 2013, the company recalled three sizes of the Special K Red Berries in the US which may have contained pieces of glass.^[31]

References

1. "Kellogg Company News Room - Frequently Asked Questions". kelloggcompany.com.
2. "The Special K Diet Review". WebMD. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
3. Zelman, MPH, RD, LD, Kathleen M. "The Special K Diet Review". Web MD, LLC. Retrieved December 13, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
4. Nelson, R.D., L.D., Jennifer K. "What is the Special K diet? Can it help me lose weight?". Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Retrieved December 13, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
5. . Archived from the original on May 21, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
6. "Kellogg's Under Fire From Consumers for New Special K Formula". The Grocer. William Reed Business Media. May 25, 2013. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
7. . Kellogg Company. Archived from the original on April 28, 2014. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
8. . Archived from the original on December 18, 2008.
9. . Kellogg Company. Archived from the original on May 21, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
10. "Special K Flakes". Kellogg Company. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
11. "Protein Meal Bars". Kellogg NA Co. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
12. "Protein Shakes". Kellogg NA Co. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
13. "Protein Granola Bars". Kellogg NA Co. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
14. . Kellogg NA Co. Archived from the original on October 17, 2015. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
15. "Cereal Bars". Kellogg NA Co. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
16. "Cracker Chips". Kellogg NA Co. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
17. "Popcorn Chips". Kellogg NA Co. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
18. "Crackers". Kellogg NA Co. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
19. Protein water mix. (New PRODUCTS)
20. Tabacoff, Helaine; Connelly, Chris (March 6, 2009). "Water, Water Everywhere, but Can It Boost Your Brain?". ABC News. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
21. Russell, Edward (2010). The Fundamentals of Marketing. AVA Publishing. p. 75. ISBN 2940373728
22. Carilli, Theresa; Campbell, Jane (2012). Challenging Images of Women in the Media: Reinventing Women's Lives. Lexington Books. p. 4. ISBN 0739176986
23. Spencer, Gail Gedan (October 18, 2007). "How I learned to stop wincing and love the protein water". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
24. Lluc, Alex A. (2008). The Complete Calorie Fat & Carb Counter. WS Publishing Group. p. 407. ISBN 1934386340
25. Cardello, Hank; Garr, Garr (2009). Stuffed: An Insider's Look at Who's (Really) Making America Fat. HarperCollins. p. 203. ISBN 0061984841
26. "Protein Shakes". Kellogg NA Co. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
27. "Special K production ending ahead of Kellogg's closure". London.
28. Meikle, James; Harding, Luke (August 12, 2004). "Denmark bans Kellogg's vitamins". The Guardian. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
29. "Uitzending bekijken, Keuringsdienst van Waarde: IJzer extra". teleblik.nl. October 29, 2009. Archived from the original on June 16, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
30. "Keuringsdienst van Waarde: IJzer". uitzendinggemist.nl. October 15, 2009. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
31. Jaslow, Ryan (February 20, 2013). "Kellogg's Special K Red Berries recalled for glass fragments". CBS News.

Further reading

• Kiley, David (November 7, 2006). "Kellogg Testing The Brand Barriers for Special K". Bloomberg Businessweek. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
• . Drug Store News. (subscription required)

External links

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Special K (Kellogg's brand).

• Official website