Protein Water?

Posted by Stephanie Gallagher Dec 7, 2006

Why have a steak when you can get your protein from your water?

That must be Kellogg's thinking in introducing their new line of protein-enriched products, which include Special K20 Protein Water, Special K Protein Meal Bars and Special K Protein Snack Bars.

How do they taste?

Well, to me, they were overly sweet, syrupy and fake. But my kids loved them. Hmmm...what does that tell you?

And more importantly, are these products good for you?

Like the low-fat Oreos and ranch dressing that preceded them, today's protein-enriched convenience foods may have more protein than traditional versions of the same products, but they also likely have more sugar or artificial sweeteners.

The strawberry kiwi Special K20 water, for example, claims it contains 2% or less of sugar. But it also lists sucralose (artificial sweetener) as an ingredient, along with a variety of unpronouncable additives, including Red Dye #40.

I don't know about you, but personally, I'd rather sacrifice the extra 5 g of protein I might get from Special K20 in favor of plain old water.