Canadians, do NOT buy the Special K Shakes

heathersmilez
heathersmilez Posts: 2,579 Member
in Food and Nutrition
About 2 months ago the Special K ‘protein’ shakes came to Canada and I was very excited to try them especially since I obtained a BYGO coupon. If you are a Canadian couponer, you know this is awesome b/c Extreme Couponing TLC-style is just not possible in Canadian grocery stores due to numerous factors that I won’t get into here.... So I picked up my 2 packs and when I brought them home I noticed the astronomical difference in the nutritional spectrum of the Canadian version vs. US. This was very disheartening so I just wanted to point this out for any users or potential users of this product.

The Differences:
Name/Sugar Content: Firstly, you may have already noticed that the name of the product changes once it goes north of the border. In Canada, it’s called “Morning Shake-Protein Beverage” rather than “Protein Shake” like in the US most likely because the second ingredient in Canada is sugar while in the US its protein. There is only 1 more g of sugar in the Canadian version compared to the US but it’s just enough to negatively tip the scales of the sugar:protein ratio.

Vitamins: Secondly, there are so few vitamins and nutrients in the Canadian version that the nutritional breakdown is almost identical to that of 2% dairy milk but this product is 5x the price!!!

Important vitamins most lacking are; 2% vitamin C vs 100% in the US, 0% vitamin A vs 35%, 25% vitamin E vs 100%, 0% vitamin D vs 35% and 0% folic acid vs 30%,

In addition to; 10% vitamin B12 vs 35% 15% magnesium vs 30% 0% selenium vs 25% and 0% chromium vs 35% 0% vitamin K vs 25% and 20% riboflavin vs 35%.

Cost: Milk is $4 for 4L hence $0.30 for 296ml compared to special K’s $1.50 per bottle price based on the sale price of a $5.99 for a 4-pack).

Replies

  • melr01
    melr01 Posts: 70 Member
    I compared the Special K shakes to Ensure and Carnation Breakfast and Special K doesn't even come close in comparison. It is basically a sugary drink. I guess this is why it is in with the breakfast foods and not in the pharmacy section like the other protein drinks.
  • livitup85
    livitup85 Posts: 231 Member
    Thanks for posting this!!!
  • canadianbugga
    canadianbugga Posts: 101 Member
    It seems like everything Special K is a farce. Drinks, cereal, sandwiches, chips, bars... all junk. Yet they manipulate people into thinking they are making a better choice. Sad.
  • heathersmilez
    heathersmilez Posts: 2,579 Member
    I guess this is why it is in with the breakfast foods and not in the pharmacy section like the other protein drinks.

    Good point!
  • heathersmilez
    heathersmilez Posts: 2,579 Member
    It seems like everything Special K is a farce. Drinks, cereal, sandwiches, chips, bars... all junk. Yet they manipulate people into thinking they are making a better choice. Sad.

    Very true and even in a pinch, I find their products very flavourless compared to their counterparts whether it be a granola bar or their new breakfast sandwiches that I found tasted incredibly processed and bland.
  • Itzli
    Itzli Posts: 78 Member
    I think Ensure would be better than a glorified sugar milk drink.. They serve Ensure in the hospitals and nursing homes here so it must be better... I can't stomach it tho.

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