Ever since the Subway Challenge became popular, food companies have tried using weight loss as an advertising strategy. Kellogg's has done this with Special K cereal. The Special K brand offers nine flavors of cereal, three flavors of protein shakes, three protein water mixes, nine flavors of cereal bars, five flavors of meal bars, two flavors of snack bars, two flavors of crackers and two flavors of fruit crisps, according to the Special K website.
Diet Claims
Kellogg's advertises you can drop a jeans size in two weeks by taking the Special K Challenge. It also claims to "help you lose six pounds in two weeks."
Features of the Diet
The diet comes down to replacing two meals a day with Special K cereal or cereal bar products. A third meal does not have to be a Special K product, but it must be a healthy meal. Two snacks a day are allowed, and they must also be Special K bars or fruits and vegetables.
Individuals may access the Special K website to get individualized options based on four plans. The categories are: the basic plan, the mix-it-up plan, the on-the-go plan and the chocolate-lover's plan. Based on the plan you have chosen, the website leads you to a sample meal plan that lists different Special K cereals and bars. Each day's meal options have at least two Special K products, if not more. The website also offers tips for success, healthy recipes and Facebook community support.
Benefits
The health benefit of the Special K weight loss plan is that by replacing two meals a day with a portion-controlled bowl of cereal with skim milk, you will likely be significantly reducing calories as well as calories from fat. If you are able to stay on the plan, it provides strict guidelines to prevent you from eating too much or too often, as you are allowed only three meals and two healthy snacks a day. Individuals who need this structure and do not wish to pay more for other diet options may benefit from the Special K weight-loss plan.
Considerations
The Special K diet works because you are cutting calories and eating sensible portions, not because you are eating Special K. In terms of dieting, it is not a diet that should be a long-term lifestyle change. When following the plan, you will likely not be able to meet the U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines for fruit and vegetable servings, and you may not eat enough protein. Many individuals also have difficulties feeling full from eating cereal, or they get bored with eating similar foods for the duration of the diet program.
Tips
Short-term diets rarely work if you go back to your regular eating habits. Therefore, to lose and maintain weight loss, you need to adopt permanent lifestyle changes. Losing weight is a matter of creating a calorie deficit, burning more calories than you take in. You may do this through diet and exercise. To lose weight, it is recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine that individuals perform physical activity 60 to 90 minutes a day for five days a week. Also change your diet to incorporate more fruits and vegetables and lower your calorie intake.
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