Special K markets itself as a healthier choice for the breakfast table while providing its customers with plenty of flavor. Each variety contains a blend of fruits, nuts, and wholegrain suitable for the whole family.
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If you are on the hunt for a new cereal, you are bound to find something suitable for you as there is a range of flavors, whether you like something nutty, something sweet, or something fruity. Below we will go into detail about two of the most popular Kellogg’s Special K breakfast cereals: Original and Berries.
Special K – Original
If you want a breakfast cereal that you can tailor entirely to your day-to-day tastes, then Kellogg’s Special K Original cereal is for you. It contains crunchy wheat, rice, and barley flakes that have been fortified with vitamins and minerals to give you what you need to live a healthy lifestyle.
Whether you want to treat yourself and add some dark chocolate, or you want to eat Special K with your choice of nut milk, then the original variety is your best bet for a uniquely tasty meal.
Ingredients & nutrition facts
The ingredients in the Original Cereal are as follows:
- Rice
- Wheat gluten
- Sugar
- Defatted wheat germ
- Malt flavor
- BHT for freshness
The vitamins and minerals included are:
- Reduced iron
- Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
- Niacinamide
- Vitamin E acetate
- Beta-carotene
- Folic acid
- Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride)
- Vitamin B1 (thiamin hydrochloride)
- Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
- Vitamin D3
- Vitamin B12
The detailed list of nutritional values is:
- Calories – 150
- Total Fat – 0.5 g
- Sodium – 270 mg
- Total Carbohydrate – 29 g
- Dietary Fiber – <1 g
- Total Sugars – 5 g
- Protein – 7 g
Is it healthy?
Kellogg’s Special K Original could be considered healthy for a number of reasons. First of all, it does not contain many sugars, which is great because it leaves room for you to add your own sweetness to your breakfast cereal in your own way, whether it be your favorite yogurt or a dash of your favorite ice-cold milk.
In addition, the total calories are low, and the fat content is also particularly low in number, making the breakfast cereal a healthy choice for the morning time. This makes toppings such as peanut butter, which is high in good fats, a great addition to this breakfast option.
However, there aren’t too many to list in terms of nutritional benefits. For instance, the level of fiber is particularly low, at less than a gram per serving. Ideally, you should aim for a higher fiber content in your breakfast.
It is also worth noting that the cereal is high in sodium, making up 12% of your guideline daily amount.
Is it gluten-free?
Unfortunately, the Original Cereal is not gluten-free because the principal ingredient is wheat.
Is it vegan?
The Original cereal is not vegan because it contains dairy derivatives and also vitamin D3, which is sourced from sheep.
Is it keto?
No, the cereal is not suitable for those following a keto lifestyle as it is high in carbohydrates and also contains ingredients such as BHA/BHT and sugar.
Protein & fiber content
Kellogg’s Special K Original contains 13g of protein and less than 1g of fiber per portion of cereal. This is 18% of your guideline daily amount of protein and 2% of your guideline daily amount of fiber.
Special K – Red Berries
Those with a sweeter tooth may enjoy the taste of the fruitier offering from Kellogg’s Special K, which is made with tasty ingredients such as real strawberries and rice flakes. This cereal makes the perfect breakfast for those on the go and can even be enjoyed as a late-night snack.
Ingredients & nutritional facts
The ingredients in Kellogg’s Special K Berries are as follows:
- Whole grain wheat
- Rice
- Sugar
- Freeze-dried strawberries
- Wheat bran
- Salt
- Malt flavor
The vitamins and minerals included are:
- Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
- Reduced iron
- Vitamin E acetate
- Niacinamide
- Beta-carotene
- Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride)
- Vitamin B1 (thiamin hydrochloride)
- Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
- Folic acid
- Vitamin D3
- Vitamin B12
The nutritional values for the breakfast cereal are:
- Calories – 140
- Total Fat – 0.5 g
- Sodium – 250 mg
- Total Carbohydrate – 34 g
- Dietary Fiber – 3 g
- Total Sugars – 11 g
- Protein – 3 g
Is it healthy?
In some ways, the Kellogg company Red Berry cereal can be considered nutritious. For example, it is low in fat and in calories too. Because it contains fruit in itself, there is no need to add any other ingredients, which makes the cereal a delicious healthy option on its own.
Furthermore, the cereal provides 15 grams of whole grains per serving as well as a huge 11 vitamins and cereals in each bowl, making it a good option for a wholesome breakfast cereal.
There are, however, some downsides to the berry-full cereal ingredients list. The sodium content is pretty high; however, the total fiber and protein values are lower than ideal, making the cereal a poor choice for those who need fuel for regular and vigorous exercise.
Is it gluten-free?
No, the Red Berries cereal is not gluten-free because the main ingredient is wheat.
Is it vegan?
Vegans cannot eat the cereal as it contains Vitamin D3, which is derived from animal sources.
Is it keto?
The Red Berries cereal is not keto because of the high number of carbs and also sugar syrup.
Protein & fiber content
One bowl of Red Berries contains 9g of protein and 3g of fiber.
Where to Buy
Shop in-store
Luckily, fans will be able to get their hands on the cereal at many stores. Whole Foods, Target, and Walgreens, are all examples of stores that stock the cereal on their shelves.
Shop online
You can also find the cereal online at Walmart, BJ’s, and H-E-B.
FAQs
Which Special K cereals are gluten-free?
Unfortunately, none of the Special K breakfast cereal varieties are gluten-free, as they all contain wheat. It is true that there used to be a gluten-free option, ‘Gluten-Free Touch of Brown Sugar,’ but this is no longer available.
Is Special K Granola Touch of Honey Cereal good?
If granola is more of your thing, then you may be more inclined to try the Touch of Honey granola from the Kellogg company. This flavorful choice offers large clusters of oats sweetened with honey to brighten up your mornings.
Most choose to add real fruit and yogurt to accompany their granola, although at 260 calories per portion and with 9 grams of added sugars, this can be seen by some as a much less healthy choice for breakfast.
Is Special K the same as Corn Flakes?
Although very similar, the main difference between Special K and Corn Flakes is the fact that while the first is made from rice, the latter is made from corn. While Corn Flakes can be considered cheaper and perhaps healthier due to their lower number of calories and fat content, Special K has more to offer in terms of nutrients.
Final Thoughts
Special K can be a great choice for those seeking out a healthy breakfast cereal. With a variety of flavors, ranging from original to vanilla almond, there is bound to be a suitable choice for everyone. It is low in fat and calories and contains a number of vitamins and minerals to help support a healthy diet. It can even be enjoyed as a between-meal treat.
There are, however, some things to be aware of. For instance, it is not particularly high in fiber or protein, which isn’t great for those who are particularly active. In addition, it is important to be careful when looking at the sweeter varieties as these can contain a higher number of sugars.