May 2007
Special K2O Protein Water
“Losing up to 6 lbs. in 2 weeks just got easier!” claims a newspaper ad for Kellogg’s Special K2O Protein Water. Sold in four-packs for $6, each 16-ounce bottle of 50-calorie, fruit-flavored water contains 5 grams of protein from whey, which is derived from milk. Why add protein to water? Because consumers say they want more protein when dieting, said a Kellogg’s spokeswoman. But nutrition experts we consulted said that there are better and more filling ways to get your protein.
Special K2O Protein Water is meant to be consumed as a snack in the “Special K Challenge,” a two-week meal-replacement diet described at www.specialk.com. A Kellogg’s spokeswoman said the company makes no claim that the protein water will make dieters feel satiated or full.
The waters contain no fruit juice. Our food and sensory tasters tried the three fruit flavors and found that they all produced a slight drying sensation in the mouth, and all had mild flavors with an artificially sweetened taste. We also found:
Lemon Twist had a more sour than sweet taste that seemed to come from citric acid, not from lemons.
Strawberry Kiwi was fruity, with a flavor reminiscent of red hard candy.
Tropical Blend was sweet, with a taste like orange candy and hints of artificial flavoring.
CR’s take. It’s cheaper to hydrate with plain water and add a squeeze or a splash of real fruit juice for flavor. And focus on consuming protein from foods that will fill you up, such as skim milk, low- or no-fat yogurt or cottage cheese, nuts, fish, chicken, and extra-lean meat.
WATER DIET This ad claims that drinking Kellogg’s protein water makes losing weight easier.
“Losing up to 6 lbs. in 2 weeks just got easier!” claims a newspaper ad for Kellogg’s Special K2O Protein Water. Sold in four-packs for $6, each 16-ounce bottle of 50-calorie, fruit-flavored water contains 5 grams of protein from whey, which is derived from milk. Why add protein to water? Because consumers say they want more protein when dieting, said a Kellogg’s spokeswoman. But nutrition experts we consulted said that there are better and more filling ways to get your protein.
Special K2O Protein Water is meant to be consumed as a snack in the “Special K Challenge,” a two-week meal-replacement diet described at www.specialk.com. A Kellogg’s spokeswoman said the company makes no claim that the protein water will make dieters feel satiated or full.
The waters contain no fruit juice. Our food and sensory tasters tried the three fruit flavors and found that they all produced a slight drying sensation in the mouth, and all had mild flavors with an artificially sweetened taste. We also found:
Lemon Twist had a more sour than sweet taste that seemed to come from citric acid, not from lemons.
Strawberry Kiwi was fruity, with a flavor reminiscent of red hard candy.
Tropical Blend was sweet, with a taste like orange candy and hints of artificial flavoring.
CR’s take. It’s cheaper to hydrate with plain water and add a squeeze or a splash of real fruit juice for flavor. And focus on consuming protein from foods that will fill you up, such as skim milk, low- or no-fat yogurt or cottage cheese, nuts, fish, chicken, and extra-lean meat.
