And you thought Special K bars were good?

MissMaryMac33

This was eye opening to me.. and part of the reason I almost never buy "bars" of any kind...

http://blog.fooducate.com/2012/03/19/review-special-k-protein-meal-bars/


Some of the basics from the article:
What you need to know:

Special K began its life as a cereal for dieters in 1956. The Kellogg’s company created a very low fat cereal from rice and wheat. Ever since, the product line has expanded and grown to non cereal products. The bar / meal replacement category is a perfect fit for the Special K message of dieting, and thus we find ourselves with these protein meal bars on sale.

Here is the ingredient list from the bar we examined; it takes about the same time to read it as a magazine:

Coating [Sugar, Palm Kernel and Palm Oil, Milk Protein Isolate, Yogurt Powder (Cultured Whey Protein Concentrate, Cultured Skim Milk, Yogurt Cultures; Heat-Treated after culturing), Soy Lecithin, Natural Flavor, Color Added], Soy Protein Isolate, Corn Syrup, Strawberry Flavored Fruit Pieces (Sugar, Cranberries, Citric Acid, Natural Strawberry Flavor with Other Natural Flavors, Elderberry Juice Concentrate for Color, Sunflower Oil), Inulin, Fructose, Polydextrose, Sugar, Rice Starch, Vegetable Oil [Partially Hydrogenated Soybean, Cottonseed and Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil (Less Than 0.5g Trans Fat Per Serving) with TBHQ and Citric Acid for Freshness], Cereal [Rice, Wheat Gluten, Sugar, Defatted Wheat Germ, Salt, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Whey, Malt Flavoring, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Folic Acid], Dextrose, Calcium Carbonate, Glycerin, Sorbitol, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Salt, Soy Lecithin, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Alpha Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Xanthan Gum, Niacinamide, Zinc Oxide, Reduced Iron, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Vitamin A Palmitate, Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Thiamin Hydrochloride (Vitamin B1), BHT (Preservative), Egg Whites, Pecans, Almonds, Wheat Flour, Peanuts, Vitamin B12, Folic Acid, Vitamin D.

There is so much crap in this bar that we don’t know where to begin:

Partially hydrogenated oils (ie trans fat)
4 tsp of sugar, almost all of it added
barely any real strawberry
the fiber is added in the form of inulin, not through whole grains
BHT (potential carcinogen) and TBHQ (causes nausea and delirium) are used as preservatives
artificial and natural flavorings
a laundry list of added vitamins and minerals, because this fake food has no nutrients on its own.
What to do at the airport:

You’re better off with a bag of potato chips than this so called “health bar”.

mamabear272

This is why I'm glad to have celiac sometimes. LOL

SoDamnHungry

I never thought they were healthy. I did, however, think they were 90 calories and delicious. Still do.

RunHardBeStrong

Thank you for posting! I wish more people understood this. I don't care what people eat for the most part but when they are misled into believing these things (and all other things that are labeled as healthy that really aren't) really gets to me lol

flyingwrite

This is why processed food scares the hell out of me. If I don't make it, I seriously don't want to eat it.

pixlamarque

Not to mention that they don't taste very good and they are not filling. I'd rather grab fruit, a bag of nuts, or a smoothie if I'm looking for something on the go.

lightstruck1

Yuck. Exactly why I don't eat it. Anything with high fructose corn syrup, palm oil or a list of ingredients that long and half of them I have no idea what they are, NO WAY.

irridia

When buying any kind of meal replacement bar, or even making your own, be sure to look at the carb to protien ratio. The worst it should be is 2:1 carbs to protien. Most are more like 3 or 4:1.

I use cliff builder bars, 20 g protien and like 32 g carbs including sugars.

Pure protien is even better but they have alcahol sugars in them. they are really close to 1:1 though.

JMNealer

I never considered them a healthy item, however, they have been a great breakfast bar that keeps me full until lunch. Ever heard of a homemade recipe that could be created with a healthier mix of ingredients?

usc2626

"To each their own." I eat Special K bars just about every day and no problem losing weight and staying healthy (according to my doctor) at all.

Lorleee

The way those products are marketed is horrible. It's purely junk food.

If I'm going to eat junk I'd just as soon have a chocolate bar and call it what it is, then eat those bars every day and call it healthy.

rides4sanity

I never considered them a healthy item, however, they have been a great breakfast bar that keeps me full until lunch. Ever heard of a homemade recipe that could be created with a healthier mix of ingredients?

Yup me too!

JustJennie1

Those are like candy bars IMO.

I have a great recipe and make my own protein granola bars that I have pre-workout.

TrishaGuy

Well thanks for that.....I just ate one!!!!! Guess I won't be having anymore of those!!!!! I think I will try and figure out a way to make my own so I know what I am putting in my mouth.....hahaha. I like the simplicity of a bar before I work out......but special K is out now bummer.

litatura

I don't think that anybody can argue that they are healthy as in "nutritious". However, if you're craving something sweet and salty, grabbing one of the Special K Chocolatey Crunch bars, for example, at 90 calories and 2.5g fat is a helluva lot HEALTHIER (not healthy) than grabbing chocolate bar that's 250 calories and 12g of fat. Junk is junk, but there are better junk options.

TrishaGuy

Someone please post a recipe for a homemade one....PLEASEEEEEEE

castaliavt

Larabars!

Il_DaniD_lI

I just switched to these from Fiber 1 bars. Now I guess I'll be switching again. Any suggestions on some good bars the are good for you, low cost and can be found in the grocery store?

Martucha123

the most annoying part is that here in Spain they are advertised as healthy alternative to snacking carrots (the ads are saying they are as healthy but more delicious)! once I found out how bad they are I decided to sabottage all Kellogs products.

I hate misinformation, I mean if I eat at Mcdonalds at least I know it has trans fats, but I would never figure Kellogs would use them too!

joannea1988

i beat loads as the "healthy" alternative omg never again ill stick to fruit x

DieVixen

yummmmm

Toddrific

A lot of those ingredients are vitamins and such. Trans fat sneaks into nearly everything as it helps
make things more palatable. They may not be the healthiest choice, but they certainly aren't demon food.

mommyjos

I would love to have a recipe if anyone has one that tastes good!!

AlsDonkBoxSquat

This was eye opening to me.. and part of the reason I almost never buy "bars" of any kind...

http://blog.fooducate.com/2012/03/19/review-special-k-protein-meal-bars/


Some of the basics from the article:
What you need to know:

Special K began its life as a cereal for dieters in 1956. The Kellogg’s company created a very low fat cereal from rice and wheat. Ever since, the product line has expanded and grown to non cereal products. The bar / meal replacement category is a perfect fit for the Special K message of dieting, and thus we find ourselves with these protein meal bars on sale.

Here is the ingredient list from the bar we examined; it takes about the same time to read it as a magazine:

Coating [Sugar, Palm Kernel and Palm Oil, Milk Protein Isolate, Yogurt Powder (Cultured Whey Protein Concentrate, Cultured Skim Milk, Yogurt Cultures; Heat-Treated after culturing), Soy Lecithin, Natural Flavor, Color Added], Soy Protein Isolate, Corn Syrup, Strawberry Flavored Fruit Pieces (Sugar, Cranberries, Citric Acid, Natural Strawberry Flavor with Other Natural Flavors, Elderberry Juice Concentrate for Color, Sunflower Oil), Inulin, Fructose, Polydextrose, Sugar, Rice Starch, Vegetable Oil [Partially Hydrogenated Soybean, Cottonseed and Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil (Less Than 0.5g Trans Fat Per Serving) with TBHQ and Citric Acid for Freshness], Cereal [Rice, Wheat Gluten, Sugar, Defatted Wheat Germ, Salt, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Whey, Malt Flavoring, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Folic Acid], Dextrose, Calcium Carbonate, Glycerin, Sorbitol, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Salt, Soy Lecithin, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Alpha Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Xanthan Gum, Niacinamide, Zinc Oxide, Reduced Iron, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Vitamin A Palmitate, Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Thiamin Hydrochloride (Vitamin B1), BHT (Preservative), Egg Whites, Pecans, Almonds, Wheat Flour, Peanuts, Vitamin B12, Folic Acid, Vitamin D.

There is so much crap in this bar that we don’t know where to begin:

Partially hydrogenated oils (ie trans fat)
4 tsp of sugar, almost all of it added
barely any real strawberry
the fiber is added in the form of inulin, not through whole grains
BHT (potential carcinogen) and TBHQ (causes nausea and delirium) are used as preservatives
artificial and natural flavorings
a laundry list of added vitamins and minerals, because this fake food has no nutrients on its own.
What to do at the airport:

You’re better off with a bag of potato chips than this so called “health bar”.

This is why I either make my own or buy Kind Bars. I actually have 2 types of kind at my desk right now as just incase snacks. Ingredent list on Almond Cashew with flax + Omega-3: Dates, almonds, cashews, honey, NON GMO Glucose, milled flax seed, chicory fiber, natural flavor.

Cranberry Almond + antioxidants: almonds, dried cranberries (cranberries, sugar, sunflower oil), macadamias, honey, Non GMO glucose, puffed rice, chicory fiber, soy lecthin

The bars aren't the problem, the brand is . . .

JustJennie1

Someone please post a recipe for a homemade one....PLEASEEEEEEE

I actually just posted my recipe in the "recipe" section.

jamie1888

THE best bar out there nutritionally is Quest Bar protein bars. HIGH in protein (this is important), gluten free, high fiber, low sugar, low net carbs, minimal ingredients!

And there are 2 different lines:
the original line uses NO sugar alcohols (but uses TRACE amounts of sucralose)
the all natural line uses NO artificial sweetener (but uses TRACE amounts of Stevia and a sugar alcohol called Erythritol)

But, here's the scoop on Erythitol:
"While Erythritol is classified as a sugar alcohol it is ENTIRELY different than all of the others. It does not upset stomachs, it contains only 0.2 calories per gram and has little to no impact on blood sugar."

Quest Bars are eaten by professional body builders and fitness competitors up to and through competition; that's how "clean" these bars are!

TheFitHooker

Mhm I threw mine out, my husband thought he was doing good and bought me all these things, Special K and the 100 calorie snack packs. Just cus it's low in calorie, don't make it healthy, just cus it's high in calorie doesn't make it not healthy. I'm trying to avoid processed foods, but it's not always the case, still a learning process.

mmklinemm

Those are like candy bars IMO.

I have a great recipe and make my own protein granola bars that I have pre-workout.

Would you share your recipe, please? I'd love to try to make something like this. Thanks!

Toddrific

The great thing about protein bars is they are simple to make at home.
Whey protein, peanut butter, cocoa, and usually oatmeal with some skim milk.
Why pay someone for something that takes 30 minutes to make in large quantities.

kylesmommy89

I eat a Special K Protein Meal Replacement bar probably 3 times a week for breakfast. They are so convenient and keep me satisfied until lunch time. I love them. I used to hit up McDonald's for breakfast several times a week, but the Special K bars have made it much easier for me to stay away from the drive-throughs in the mornings.

TubbsMcGee

I've always giggled when I see people with these in their shopping carts...or better yet, actually watching someone eat one and then tell me 10 minutes later that they're "starving"

Exactly why I'm a fan of clean eating. How is your body supposed to process all this junk, anyway?