Special K Cereal.. Is it ok to eat
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I personally dislike Special K as it advertises itself as a "diet" cereal, and from a diabetic's point of view, it's terrible! Almost no fiber. It's essentially eating air.
The point isn't supposed to be that people are 'dieting' - the point is supposed to be that people are eating food they want to eat, while maintaining a calorie deficit to lose weight. Avoiding the stigma of a 'diet' is a the point. Eating comfortably, happily, is the point. No one should be shamed about what they choose to eat. And as long as other food sources offer necessary fiber, everything is fine.
^This.......totally this!
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@mccindy72 , I personally dislike the Special K cereals advertising themselves as "diet" when there are clearly better choices (simpler, cheaper) out there. I agree it can be doctored in to something acceptable but that seems sort of counterproductive. The OP is looking for low-calorie, "healthy" choices for breakfast and frankly, Special K is not anywhere near the top of my list. I'll have a breakfast based on eggs or Greek Yogurt, and my first choice for cereal is oatmeal for it's high soluble fiber content.
Now, if Special K gives her particular joy, go for it! Just add back in all the things it's missing for breakfast.0 -
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nickeyhicks wrote: »anyone try there cereals is it a good part of a diet or is it too many carbs?
As noted above, with rare exceptions for medical conditions, carbs are not bad for you. They are in fact, good for you. Carbs are your body's preferred source of energy. You can get by using fat and protein for energy, but most people feel miserable while waiting for their body to adapt to the lack of carbs. Unless you are a total slug spending all day in bed or on the sofa, you should be getting a good 30% to 50% of your calories from carbs.
Special K is not "good" for you. It's marketed that way, and it might be better than Cocoa Puffs, but it's not particularly healthy food. No processed breakfast cereal is. That doesn't mean you shouldn't eat it. If you want Special K, eat Special K. Just make sure it fits within your calorie & macro goals, and that throughout the course of the day you're eating mostly whole, unprocessed food.
Note: I hate Special K. My daughter likes the Special K with strawberries and chocolate, so I make sure we always have a box on hand. The problem is that I can't resist the stuff. I try to stay away but it keeps calling to me. So I open the box and start picking at it, eating it dry. The next thing I know the box is more than half empty. Then my daughter yells at me for eating most of her cereal. So I buy another box and the process starts all over again. I hate Special K.
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How are you defining "healthy," then?nickeyhicks wrote: »anyone try there cereals is it a good part of a diet or is it too many carbs?
As noted above, with rare exceptions for medical conditions, carbs are not bad for you. They are in fact, good for you. Carbs are your body's preferred source of energy. You can get by using fat and protein for energy, but most people feel miserable while waiting for their body to adapt to the lack of carbs. Unless you are a total slug spending all day in bed or on the sofa, you should be getting a good 30% to 50% of your calories from carbs.
Special K is not "good" for you. It's marketed that way, and it might be better than Cocoa Puffs, but it's not particularly healthy food. No processed breakfast cereal is.
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Personally I wouldn't ever eat it for breakfast because I'd be shaky ravenous hungry by mid-morning. Which means I'd eat too much as a snack.
However, I LOVE cold cereal -- especially Cinnamon Oat Squares from Giant -- so I work in the calories to have it as a snack sometimes in the afternoon.0 -
I eat the Special K Protein and I like it. 1.5 servings is 180 calories and 15g of protein.
I eat that along with a banana and greek yogurt. 0 -
Tex, it's a loose term and I'm sure some (maybe you) will be along to argue, but I'd define "healthy" as unprocessed, whole foods. Fruits, vegetables, meats, nuts, legumes, dairy, etc. Foods with naturally occurring nutrients, not foods that have the nutrients processed out of them and then, in the case of Special K, nutrients supplemented back into them. I have nothing against vitamin fortified foods or vitamin supplements for that matter, but I think you're better off eating mostly whole foods with micronutrients interacting in ways that we don't yet fully understand.0
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smotheredincheese wrote: »No it's not ok, it tastes like cardboard, get a tastier cereal.
This. Just joking... but seriously, I'd be hungry an hour later. I'd suggest a more filling breakfast, but that's just me...
Yes, I'd be hungry again in an hour as well. I prefer eggs for breakfast, but if you want a more filling cereal, try oatmeal from rolled oats or steel cut oats with something added to boost the protein.
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I've never eaten it. I do eat other cereals sometimes.
If you like it and it fits your goals, fills you up, etc then eat it.0 -
Is it poison???? What did I miss? Count calories.0
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Tex, it's a loose term and I'm sure some (maybe you) will be along to argue, but I'd define "healthy" as unprocessed, whole foods. Fruits, vegetables, meats, nuts, legumes, dairy, etc. Foods with naturally occurring nutrients, not foods that have the nutrients processed out of them and then, in the case of Special K, nutrients supplemented back into them. I have nothing against vitamin fortified foods or vitamin supplements for that matter, but I think you're better off eating mostly whole foods with micronutrients interacting in ways that we don't yet fully understand.
Of course, the person eating Special K could also be choosing fruits, vegetables, meats, nuts, legumes, and dairy in their other meals of the day or even to round out their breakfast.
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Tex, it's a loose term and I'm sure some (maybe you) will be along to argue, but I'd define "healthy" as unprocessed, whole foods. Fruits, vegetables, meats, nuts, legumes, dairy, etc. Foods with naturally occurring nutrients, not foods that have the nutrients processed out of them and then, in the case of Special K, nutrients supplemented back into them. I have nothing against vitamin fortified foods or vitamin supplements for that matter, but I think you're better off eating mostly whole foods with micronutrients interacting in ways that we don't yet fully understand.
Problem being that defining those foods as healthy, but not defining how much of them is healthy.... People can eat a diet entirely of whole foods and be obese and have high cholesterol. Processed foods are not, by definition, unhealthy.
Dairy is processed, frozen foods are processed, home canned foods are processed. 'Processed' is a dangerous word to throw around.
A well-rounded diet with a good balance of carbs, protein and fats is healthy. I and several other people I know eat a diet of both whole and processed foods with a good macro balance, and add in other foods to meet calorie goals, just because we enjoy them. My numbers are all very good, I'm very healthy when I go to the doctor.0 -
janejellyroll wrote: »Tex, it's a loose term and I'm sure some (maybe you) will be along to argue, but I'd define "healthy" as unprocessed, whole foods. Fruits, vegetables, meats, nuts, legumes, dairy, etc. Foods with naturally occurring nutrients, not foods that have the nutrients processed out of them and then, in the case of Special K, nutrients supplemented back into them. I have nothing against vitamin fortified foods or vitamin supplements for that matter, but I think you're better off eating mostly whole foods with micronutrients interacting in ways that we don't yet fully understand.
Of course, the person eating Special K could also be choosing fruits, vegetables, meats, nuts, legumes, and dairy in their other meals of the day or even to round out their breakfast.
Sure. That's why I said if you want to eat it, eat it. There's nothing bad about it. I just don't think there's anything particularly good about it.
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Why would you want food from a box when there's a plethora of fresh foods available...0
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I've lost weight while eating Crunchy Nut Cornflakes for breakfast... and after dinner as dessert.
My problem was that I was doing far too much sport for my calorie intake as I was supposed to be maintaining, not losing.0 -
Tex, it's a loose term and I'm sure some (maybe you) will be along to argue, but I'd define "healthy" as unprocessed, whole foods. Fruits, vegetables, meats, nuts, legumes, dairy, etc. Foods with naturally occurring nutrients, not foods that have the nutrients processed out of them and then, in the case of Special K, nutrients supplemented back into them. I have nothing against vitamin fortified foods or vitamin supplements for that matter, but I think you're better off eating mostly whole foods with micronutrients interacting in ways that we don't yet fully understand.
Problem being that defining those foods as healthy, but not defining how much of them is healthy.... People can eat a diet entirely of whole foods and be obese and have high cholesterol. Processed foods are not, by definition, unhealthy.
Dairy is processed, frozen foods are processed, home canned foods are processed. 'Processed' is a dangerous word to throw around.
A well-rounded diet with a good balance of carbs, protein and fats is healthy. I and several other people I know eat a diet of both whole and processed foods with a good macro balance, and add in other foods to meet calorie goals, just because we enjoy them. My numbers are all very good, I'm very healthy when I go to the doctor.
Yes, when I pick a strawberry from my garden and throw it in my freezer, I have technically processed it, but everyone knows that's not what people mean by "processed foods." They mean "convenience foods."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convenience_food
Convenience food, or tertiary processed food, is food that is commercially prepared (often through processing) to optimize ease of consumption. Such food is usually ready to eat without further preparation. It may also be easily portable, have a long shelf life, or offer a combination of such convenient traits. Although restaurant meals meet this definition, the term is seldom applied to them. Convenience foods include ready-to-eat dry goods, frozen foods such as TV dinners, shelf-stable foods, prepared mixes such as cake mix, and snack foods.0 -
janejellyroll wrote: »Tex, it's a loose term and I'm sure some (maybe you) will be along to argue, but I'd define "healthy" as unprocessed, whole foods. Fruits, vegetables, meats, nuts, legumes, dairy, etc. Foods with naturally occurring nutrients, not foods that have the nutrients processed out of them and then, in the case of Special K, nutrients supplemented back into them. I have nothing against vitamin fortified foods or vitamin supplements for that matter, but I think you're better off eating mostly whole foods with micronutrients interacting in ways that we don't yet fully understand.
Of course, the person eating Special K could also be choosing fruits, vegetables, meats, nuts, legumes, and dairy in their other meals of the day or even to round out their breakfast.
Sure. That's why I said if you want to eat it, eat it. There's nothing bad about it. I just don't think there's anything particularly good about it.
Assuming that one's nutritional needs are met, what is the benefit of avoiding a bowl of cereal in favor of the foods you mentioned? We don't get gold stars for exceeding our nutritional needs.0 -
BTW, I've noticed that if I go on one of my Special K binges on an empty stomach, I crash pretty hard a couple hours later. That's unusual for me. The last time was a few weeks ago. I was on my way to the dentist, which is only about 15 minutes away when I started getting shaky and kind of faint. I pulled into a gas station and bought a bag of trail mix, then wolfed it down as I continued on to the dentist. I'm not sure what would have happened if I hadn't stopped for food, but I felt like I was about to pass out. I'm guessing Special K has a pretty high glycemic index.0
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I'd say pass on this too. I mean, it's not a bad cereal per-say, but it's not filling *at all*. There are much better choices out there0
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janejellyroll wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »Tex, it's a loose term and I'm sure some (maybe you) will be along to argue, but I'd define "healthy" as unprocessed, whole foods. Fruits, vegetables, meats, nuts, legumes, dairy, etc. Foods with naturally occurring nutrients, not foods that have the nutrients processed out of them and then, in the case of Special K, nutrients supplemented back into them. I have nothing against vitamin fortified foods or vitamin supplements for that matter, but I think you're better off eating mostly whole foods with micronutrients interacting in ways that we don't yet fully understand.
Of course, the person eating Special K could also be choosing fruits, vegetables, meats, nuts, legumes, and dairy in their other meals of the day or even to round out their breakfast.
Sure. That's why I said if you want to eat it, eat it. There's nothing bad about it. I just don't think there's anything particularly good about it.
Assuming that one's nutritional needs are met, what is the benefit of avoiding a bowl of cereal in favor of the foods you mentioned? We don't get gold stars for exceeding our nutritional needs.
No, no gold stars for that. But I'd give you a gold star for reading what I actually wrote.
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I like Special K but I don't eat it very often. Maybe about once a week. I find that eating oatmeal with fruit and nuts helps me not to get as hungry before lunch. I also have eggs once or twice a week because they have more protein.
But there are no hard and fast rules, here. I agree with many of the other posters. And, of course, you should learn to incorporate what you like into your life, but also learn to eat reasonable amounts and healthy food. When you get to your goal you should not have the attitude "I did it and am now done" but learn to eat the right things in right proportions now, so you don't gain weight back later.
Does that make sense?
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The OP asked if she could have Special K for breakfast. It was an easy question. I'm not sure why the answer needs to turn into yet another lecture on healthy vs. processed foods.0
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janejellyroll wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »Tex, it's a loose term and I'm sure some (maybe you) will be along to argue, but I'd define "healthy" as unprocessed, whole foods. Fruits, vegetables, meats, nuts, legumes, dairy, etc. Foods with naturally occurring nutrients, not foods that have the nutrients processed out of them and then, in the case of Special K, nutrients supplemented back into them. I have nothing against vitamin fortified foods or vitamin supplements for that matter, but I think you're better off eating mostly whole foods with micronutrients interacting in ways that we don't yet fully understand.
Of course, the person eating Special K could also be choosing fruits, vegetables, meats, nuts, legumes, and dairy in their other meals of the day or even to round out their breakfast.
Sure. That's why I said if you want to eat it, eat it. There's nothing bad about it. I just don't think there's anything particularly good about it.
Assuming that one's nutritional needs are met, what is the benefit of avoiding a bowl of cereal in favor of the foods you mentioned? We don't get gold stars for exceeding our nutritional needs.
No, no gold stars for that. But I'd give you a gold star for reading what I actually wrote.
I read what you wrote and it doesn't really make sense to me -- that's why I'm asking follow-up questions.
Why call out this food and say one should eat "healthy" foods instead? You say we should eat "mostly whole foods." But one can do that and eat Special K as well. I'm not understanding what you're attempting to communicate here.0 -
diannethegeek wrote: »The OP asked if she could have Special K for breakfast. It was an easy question. I'm not sure why the answer needs to turn into yet another lecture on healthy vs. processed foods.
I agree!!! It's nauseating, really!!0 -
This depends on your carb goals and what the rest of your day looks like. As long as you're fitting inside your carbohydrate goals, you probably don't need to worry at all.
Carb goals don't really matter - calorie goals are key for weight loss. Low carb is a matter of choice. If OP wants to eat Special K and isn't a low carber, OP can eat Special K with no problems.
Actually in a general sense that may be true but for someone with diabetes that is trying to lose weight carbs matter just as much as calories.0 -
I'd say no, since I can rarely eat just one bowl of cereal, usually it turns into 1/2 the box... And if I have one serving, around 3/4 cup, i'm starving a hour later.0
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