** This review was done for the old formula see update below for review of the "improved" formula ** Last year, I stumbled across a website that evaluates your current breakfast cereal for nutrition, satiety, etc. and this cereal was at the top of the recommended list as an alternative to my former option. I've always found that original Special K left me more hungry and the suggested serving size was laughable. The artificial chocolate pieces in Choco. Delight were vile, so with those strikes, I was a bit reluctant to try Protein Plus. It didn't help that some reviewers didn't like the taste ordering 4 boxes that I'd be stuck with was uncomfortable, but I went for it.
That was nearly a year ago and this has been my "go to" cereal ever since. I think it tastes pretty good, so I advise that you decide for yourself on taste. It has a light and sweet cinnamon flavor, I love the added protein and it's very low in sugar (2 g's per .75 cup serving). The flakes are sturdy (great crunch) and dense not airy at all holds up well in skim milk or yogurt, but I typically eat it straight up out of my handy measuring cup. I don't need to sweeten it at all and a serving size, or just over, leaves me satisfied (really hard to do) and a box seems to last me awhile another huge plus. I even carry a bag as a snack especially when I travel so that I'm not tempted to make less healthy choices. While I can't give all the credit to Protein Plus, as part of an overall reduced calorie daily intake attempt, I've lost 20 lbs in the past year and although near my goal have no intention of taking this off my grocery list.
**Update 8.5.12** the formula and stats have indeed changed, and significantly IMO. I am not thrilled and I wish they left well enough alone. Examples: Calories from 100 to 120, Sugar (now the 3rd ingredient) from 2-3 to 7 grams (double really?!), fiber and protein same, but the old box claims 5 grams of fiber when the fine print says 3. The new box just has 3. Other stats have changed too, I just don't have the old box available to refer to. I am eating the new boxes since I have 4 from Subscribe and Save, but I got no warning of the change and there is a huge difference in texture, sweetness, etc. Overall, it tastes okay, but it lost its edge. I have cancelled this S&S and I am going to look locally to see if I can still find the old formula and stock up. Big fat BOO to Kellogg's other than the easier opening inner sack,this was a stupid move. If I could choose no stars I would. I have found the old formula locally and I am stocking up!
Boo to this. I was SO happy with it when I had finally found a low-carb cereal in which I could add my own sweetener to control how sweet I wanted it, and safely with Stevia or something else. Even just a couple of sliced strawberries. This was the only one to fit into a reasonable daily carb allowance.
Then they changed it to be sweeter and loaded up on more sugar and carbs. I complained to Kellogg and they replied that they did a taste test and found people wanted it to be sweeter. A TASTE TEST. On people that probably had no interest in its intended purpose to be a healthier option for people that actually need to watch their diets closely they evidently didn't test for value when it came to its health benefits, they tested purely for flavor. Shouldn't this have been tested on people that WERE concerned with health...? It's that essentially the goal demographic? The general public has TONS of sugary cereals to choose from. Can't we just have ONE?
You've lost my business, Kellogg, as well as many others that follow a low-carb/keto diet. I was once recommending this cereal to everyone that was trying to be more healthy so they didn't have to give up all the types of food they love--those on Atkins, Protein Power, the huge following of low-carbers on reddit, to name a few. Now we're back to pretty much no cereal options once again.
Buy Special K Cereal, Protein 13.5-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 4) Now
I have been enjoyng the Special K Protein cereal for at least a year but Kellogs decided to "improve" it, and I say, Yuk. The "Extra" means they've added extra sugar! Now it does taste like cardboard, but cardboard that is sickly sweet. Another case where corporate America is determined to keep America's sweet-tooth in high gear. Thanks Kellogs, for making a good product bad.
Update: A good, less sugary low-carb, high-protein substitute for this cereal is Hi-Lo Low Carb Cereal by Organic Milling, which is also available on Amazon. Hi-Lo has 1/7 the sugar of the Special K, more protein and more fiber. And it tastes better.
Read Best Reviews of Special K Cereal, Protein 13.5-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 4) Here
This used to be one of the healthiest cereals available. As an almost vegetarian it was one of the only ways I could get enough iron and protein, plus it had loads of fiber. Now it has less fiber, way more sugar, and more carbs.
After 7+ years of this being a staple in my diet I will no longer be purchasing this. Such a shame.
I am SO disappointed and I know others are, as well. So, I created a petition in the hope that if enough people sign they might eventually return the original formula.
That said, since I've found Hi-Lo cereal which is even better (carb, sugar, and fiber-wise) than the original formula of special k low carb I kind of don't care what Kellogg's does.
Want Special K Cereal, Protein 13.5-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 4) Discount?
I tried the new formula other day and its terrible. I tried two days in a row and its like someone poured a box of fake sugar sweetener on the cereal and not a good kind. I had the worst after taste for hours even after i brushed my teeth. Anyway i emailed them and complained and asked why fiber was reduced to. I told them i would be taking it back to the store and buying a different cereal now. I am so disappointed. Here is the email response i got from them below. And there was no coupons attached either. WHATEVER.
I'm happy to hear you've enjoyed them for many years! Thank you for your comments regarding Kellogg's® Special K® Low Carb Lifestyle Protein Plus cereal. We are sorry you did not enjoy the reformulated product.
As you might imagine, we conduct extensive consumer tests to determine consumer acceptance before introducing a food into the national market. Reformulated products are of special concern to us, so we use panels of regular product users across the country to ensure acceptability. Tests on this reformulated product showed that most consumers preferred the new product to the old. However, we realize that taste preferences do differ and can certainly understand your feelings.
I've compiled a list of cereals with high fiber counts. You may wish to try:
Kellogg's FiberPlus® Berry Yogurt Crunch cereal
Kellogg's FiberPlus® Caramel Pecan Crunch cereal
Kellogg's® All-Bran® Original cereal< BR>Kell ogg's® All-Bran® Bran Buds® cereal
We appreciate your comments and will share them with the appropriate company officials. We have enclosed some coupons which we hope you will use to purchase other products that you enjoy.
Thank you again for sharing your thoughts!
Sincerely,
Ruben R.
Consumer Specialist
Consumer Affairs
TLXRXR01/cl
025968680A
I am disappointed that these contain high fructose corn syrup and also because they do not count toward a fruit serving, even though they state they are made with real fruit. However, they aren't exactly junk food since they are made with real fruit and whole grains. Definitely not the healthiest option though.
