Special K cereal is probably one of the most popular cereals for adults.
But, does that make it the healthiest? Probably not, considering the majority of people are overweight.
If you choose Special K cereal for your breakfast or as part of the Special K Diet, you may want to think again.
Rice followed by wheat gluten, and sugar are the first ingredients in Special K, original flavor. High fructose corn syrup follows closely after. So far, this says to label readers that this cereal is sugary and likely has a high glycemic index. This means that the food will cause a faster spike in blood glucose, and then leave you feeling tired and hungry.
Wheat gluten is used to improve the texture and flavor.
Wheat germ is what gives the cereal most of its nutrition. Defatted means that the fat is taken out so that the grain has a longer shelf life. The wheat germ is what adds the small amount of fiber, and some of the protein to the cereal.
Special K contains a significant amount of salt (223mg). When reading cereal labels, I like to see the sodium below 200mg.
Dried whey is a common food additive used for flavor, and is actual whey protein with the moisture removed. This contributes to the protein content of the cereal.
Malt adds flavor as well. The remainder of the ingredients are added vitamins and minerals.
The calories aren't high, and the actual sugar (4g) is not outrageous even though the first few ingredients are sugar. This is surprising, but still does not make Special K cereal a healthy choice. The fiber content is actually less than a gram! The main problem I have with this cereal is that it is not a high enough quality grain. It lacks the necessary fiber, nutrients, and phytochemicals to start the day off right.Many people use this cereal to control calories, but you would be better off eating a piece of fruit with a few almonds.
Do you eat Special K or have you tried the Special K Diet?
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