The Special K challenge: does it work?
A while ago, a friend told me that she intended to lose weight by following the 'Special K Challenge'. Promoted by Kellogg's and Special K, this challenge is a quick weight-loss scheme that involves eating Special K for breakfast and lunch, and rounding out the day with a healthy dinner. I tried it with her, but only for a week because eating the same thing twice a day every day is boring, no matter how tasty it is. In theory, the challenge should work because it limits your daily calorie intake significantly. But there are several downsides to this. For one, a serving of cereal is not that much (between 1/2 a cup and a full cup) so it may leave you feeling unsatisfied or even still hungry. Secondly, the special K is low in protein and high in sugar and carbs -- which I think sets you on a collision course with an energy crash. Third, how can you get in your 5 to 10 servings a day of fruits and veggies if you're eating cereal for 2 of 3 meals? And fourth, as I mentioned, it's boring.
I think you're better off having a salad for lunch and a healthy, protein-rich breakfast. What do you think?











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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-07-2007 @ 7:30PM
Kristen King said...
These two-bowls-of-cereal-a-day diets make me really nervous. The most effective way to lose weight is to make global changes in your diet and lifestyle, changes that you can live with. Frankly, I have no interest in spending the rest of my life eating Special K twice a day. And really, is it nutritionally sound? You mentioned fruit intake, but I also worry about protein. Forget living on cereal for weeks at a time. A balanced diet every day is the way to go.
Kristen
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