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Product Review: Special K20 Protein Water

by Kristen King on February 28th, 2007

Special K20 Protein WaterUPDATED MARCH 5, 2007 BELOW THE JUMP

When I heard that Special K was putting out new protein products, I was pretty psyched. When I got an offer for free samples of the protein water, I was even more psyched. The name is clever, the packaging attractive, the colors appealing, and it’s WATER with PROTEIN in it. How could it get better?

Then I tasted it. Eww. It was so nasty, I nearly spit it out. That was the Lemon Twist. Then, I waited a week (to recover) and tried the marginally less disgusting Tropical Blend (pictured), which was, well, marginally less disgusting, but still gross. I didn’t receive any of the Strawberry Kiwi, but I doubt I would have had the stomach to try it after tasting the first two flavors. Yeech.

So why exactly are these products so unpleasant? My guess is that it has something to do with the ingredients and nutrition content. A 16-oz serving offers 5 grams of protein, along with 8 grams of sugar. Uh, did I miss something? Isn’t this a diet product? Isn’t it water? What’s with all the sugar? And both sugar (sucrose) and sucralose (Splenda)? And am I the only one concerned that this “water” needs to be refrigerated after opening?

Let’s do a quick comparison:

Special K20 Protein Water - 1 serving (based on nutrition facts from Tropical Blend flavor)

50 calories
5 grams of protein
8 grams of sugar
30 mg of sodium
0 grams of calcium
10+ ingredients

Regular water - 1 serving (based on nutrition facts from a bottle of Ice Mountain Spring Water)

0 calories
0 grams of protein
0 grams of sugar
0 grams of sodium
1 ingredient (water, duh)

Skim milk - 1 serving (based on nutrition facts from Horizon Organic Fat Free Milk)

90 calories
9 grams of protein
12 grams of sugar
130 mg of sodium
3 ingredients (milk, vitamin A, vitamin D)

I don’t know about you, but I’m sticking with water and milk. Forget this artificial stuff.

Granted, Special K cereal has a lot more nutritional value than its protein water appears to at first glance, so don’t discount the brand based on this review. But if I were you, I’d look very, very carefully at the labels of any product that claims to be a great diet food. You may be doing more harm than good if you don’t make smart nutritional decisions.

UPDATE:
I received excellent follow-up from the Special K PR person who had provided my Special K20 samples, and here’s what he had to say (posted with permission):

We definitely respect and appreciate your honesty in the review. Special K2O Protein waters are designed to assist women in weight management by providing additional protein in the diet and typically appeals to people who enjoy flavored & fortified waters over plain water and milk.

Well, I’m clearly not their target audience because I prefer the natural stuff, but I appreciated that information a lot, and I let them know.

For more information on the other Special K diet products, visit their website.

Speciak K20 Protein Water

Agree with my assessment? Think I’m way off? Let me know! Leave a comment.

Contents © Copyright 2007 Kristen King

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POSTED IN: Diet/Nutrition, Product/Book Reviews, Weight Loss

38 opinions for Product Review: Special K20 Protein Water

  • Biz Internet Guide » Blog Archive » New Update on Web-warehousing.info
    Mar 1, 2007 at 1:00 am

    […] Product Review: Special K20 Protein WaterWhen I heard that Special K was putting out new protein products, I was pretty psyched. When I got an offer for free samples of the protein water, I was even more psyched. The name is clever, the packaging attractive, the colors appealing, and it’s……………….Read newest refrigerated warehousing related news here……. […]

  • ruth
    Mar 1, 2007 at 9:31 am

    I can imagine this must be marketed for sports buffs and brawny athletes. In that case, I think whey-based drinks are better.

    BUT if hydration is the aim, I agree, nothing beats plain water. In some areas, even the tap water may be up to par with those bottled ones.

  • Kristen King
    Mar 1, 2007 at 2:12 pm

    Actually, Ruth, they’re promoting these poducts as diet aids to help folks lose weight. On their website, it’s listed as an example of healthy morning snack. I don’t even know where to start with how many things are wrong with THAT.

    kk

  • B
    Sep 11, 2007 at 2:18 pm

    i just tried the K20 protein water MIX, not premixed liquid, but powder. I has no sugar, 30 calories, 5 g fiber, 5g protein, and it tastes pretty good. I mix it in 2x as much h20 as what is called for though, because otherwise it’s a little too fruity for me. It doesn’t have an over sweet taste, and it does keep me from getting hungry! Try it, it’s cheaper than the yucky premixed bottle.

  • Kristen King
    Sep 11, 2007 at 7:03 pm

    B, I’ll definitely give that a try. Thanks!

    kk

  • Product Review: Special K2O Protein Water Powered Mix
    Sep 28, 2007 at 10:44 am

    […] say that I was wildly unimpressed with Kellogg’s Special K2O Protein Water would be an understatement. But just after one of my […]

  • Rina
    Jan 7, 2008 at 4:48 pm

    I tried the Kellogs Special K Protein Water Mix Powder and it’s actually not bad at all. I would not try the prepared drinks but this one is pretty good and it has no sugar.

  • Frances
    Jan 16, 2008 at 3:39 am

    I am particularly impressed with the fiber (5 gm), which wasn’t mentioned in the review and nutritional analysis above. To meet a goal of 30 gm of fiber a day is a huge task, and this water can make a good dent in it. Skim milk doesn’t have the fiber, though I prefer it too for other reasons.

    To me it tasted like Kool Aid. Not that disgusting, not really wonderful, but okay.

    I like the idea of the mix without the sugar, though.

  • Kristen King
    Jan 16, 2008 at 2:46 pm

    Thanks for pointing that out, Frances!

    kk

  • Laur
    Jan 17, 2008 at 8:16 pm

    i actually just bought the mix as well, it says to put one packet in a .5L bottle and i did and it was waaaaaaaay to sweet, i recommend adding it to a bigger bottle and then its really good. I got the pink lemonade, its just something to help me when i have a sweet tooth moment, 30 calories, no sugar, 5 grams of protein, yumm!

  • Debra kinley
    Jan 17, 2008 at 11:34 pm

    I just tried the mixed berry and I thought it was awesome! I loved the
    tartness and full flavor, I found this web site when I was looking at places where I might purchase the product.
    If I could afford to drink a bottle of this
    stuff before every meal, I am sure that
    I could lose weight!

  • Juno
    Jan 19, 2008 at 9:02 am

    The strawberry kiwi definitely tastes the best, with the lemon having the strongest aftertaste.
    In comparison to most sodas and juices (which a lot of people like to drink, especially when they are thirsty) 8 grams of sugar for the entire bottle is pretty good. A bottle of Vitamin Water or any of those “flavored water” drinks, while having less sugar than soda, is still 24-28g of sugar for the entire bottle.
    For people who like to drink juices and other beverages, this may be a viable option, at least to lower their sugar intake. Otherwise, I think the aftertaste really throws K20 water off, and it’s only unnoticeable when it’s ice-cold. And, it doesn’t really keep me fuller longer like it says.
    I think I will definitely try the powder mix. Overall, the already mixed bottles are pretty expensive - I paid 7 dollars for 4-pack, which is pretty ridiculous.

  • Lynn Watters
    Jan 24, 2008 at 10:25 pm

    I have tried the Strawberry Kiwi, the Tropical Blend, and the Mixed Berry, and I like all of them. A prefilled 16 oz bottle is 50 calories or only 1 point on Weight Watchers and it helps me get my water in. The refills are only 30 calories each. I am having a hard time finding them in stores. It is a good substitute for sodas.

  • Kristen King
    Jan 24, 2008 at 10:43 pm

    Lynn, I’m having a hard time finding it in stores, too. I wonder why!

    Kristen

  • Lauren
    Jan 28, 2008 at 4:55 pm

    I disagree! The iced tea and strawberry kiwi waters, which I drink, have a great taste! And they only have 30 calories. Milk does not have fiber in it, and this water has 5 grams. It’s a dietary rule of thumb that for every gram of fiber, your body burns and extra 10 calories- do the math- your body burns the 30 calorie water plus 20 extra calories. Fiber also expands in the stomach, and makes people feel full.

    Although the name “water” may be misleading, it’s not like you can sue them for calling it water.

  • DEB
    Feb 1, 2008 at 6:51 pm

    I DISAGREE THE POWDER ICE TEA IS VERY GOOD AND I WAS NOT HUNGRY AFTER DRINKING IT SO IF YOU DONT LIKE IT SWEET PUT IN A 20 OZ WATER BOTTLE IN STEAD OF THE 16.9 SIZE.
    TRY IT UR LIKE IT. :)

  • Alisha
    Feb 9, 2008 at 7:49 pm

    I really enjoy the ice tea flavor quite a bit. Also, it has sucralose instead of aspartame which is a definate bonus. Aspartame makes me very sick. When I’m feeling like I’m going to cheat on my healthy food plan, I mix a fiber supplement in addition to the Special K Protein H2O and I feel so much better. This is a fabulous product although a little overpriced.

  • Nat
    Feb 27, 2008 at 7:20 am

    Can anyone please tell me where I can find it? I would love to give it a try but cant seem to locate it in any stores in CA.

  • Shona
    Mar 2, 2008 at 8:26 pm

    Where do you buy the protein mix. I can’t find it in stores at all.

  • Sarah
    Mar 6, 2008 at 6:58 pm

    My favorite is the iced tea mix…I buy it at local Wal-Marts. Tricky to find…one store had it in the diet aids aisle of the pharmacy, one had with other water mixes and one had it with other Special K items in the cereal isle. I mix the tea with 20 oz of water and the strawberry kiwi with 16oz. Tastes good, lots of fiber, low calorie.

  • Belle
    Mar 12, 2008 at 1:43 am

    I’ve tried the Pink Lemonade and Iced Tea flavor powder mixes and I like the taste of both. They’re a good way to get fiber and a way to make me drink more water.

  • victoria
    Mar 22, 2008 at 8:16 pm

    I say if you want an all whey protein product find one and they do make them without any added flavorings coloring. Besides they use a fake sugar substitute called sorbitol and they use that in the hosptilats as a laxative. Wake up AMERICA the diet industry just wants your money and frankly it is false hope. Eat right get fit and the rest will follow.

  • Lucia
    Apr 2, 2008 at 6:03 pm

    I have tried and recommend both the lemonade and the strawberry-kiwi. I only buy the mixes (14 packets for $7.49) at WALMART stores here on the East Coast. I have recommended and my daughter (8 years old) does drink it happily. Lots less calories than fruit juices (100% is still very caloric) and this way she is not asking for soda pop either. Water is best, yes, but when you are having a craving for something sweet or a snack, this satisfies and sustains both me and my daughter for a good hour before hunger pangs return. I have been pleased and yes, the mix has no sugar, unless polydextrose is sugar. Is it?

  • Lucia
    Apr 2, 2008 at 6:05 pm

    Forgot to mention, the mix should be prepared in 20+ ounces of water, not the 16 oz. they recommend.

  • Hope Wilbanks
    Apr 2, 2008 at 7:21 pm

    I love the Protein Water, especially the Lemon Twist! I don’t care very much for the Tropical Blend, but the Kiwi Strawberry is okay, too. My preference is definitely the lemon flavor. It takes just like lemonade to me. :) Plus, I can grab one of those when I’m feeling hungry in-between meals and it doesn’t hurt me on my points (Weight Watchers). The only problem I have with these is the price on these babies. $1.50 per BOTTLE!! And the box of dry mix packets are almost $8 here!! I usually grab 2-3 Lemon flavored ones every couple of weeks to keep on hand as a treat or between-meal snack.

  • Erika
    Apr 14, 2008 at 2:06 am

    Something no one has mentioned in the whole “protein water vs. milk” debate is portability and convenience. Try sticking a bottle of milk in your purse, carrying it around for 8 hours, so that you can drink it when your late-afternoon-munchies set in. Not possible. I’ve only tried the packets, precisely for their portability, and I agree with their comparison to Kool-Aid - easily as drink-able as a diet soda. Let’s face it: this product isn’t competing with milk or other perishable products, or water. It’s competing with regular and diet soda, and various flavored waters. Compare the nutrition info to it’s real competition, not the ideal we would use if we could be at home all day.

  • Kristen King
    Apr 14, 2008 at 2:11 am

    That is very true, Erika. Thanks for the comment!

  • Molly
    Apr 14, 2008 at 2:13 am

    Polydextrose contributes the fiber…

  • Kristen King
    Apr 14, 2008 at 2:28 am

    For those who aren’t familiar:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polydextrose

  • SN
    Apr 22, 2008 at 3:04 pm

    I have a really hard time with drinking water, but the doctor says I have to have more of it. A few months ago I had a few blackout episodes, went to the doctor and was told that I was chronically dehydrated-as most people are now. I tried the kiwi strawberry water and it was much better than most waters I’ve tried. A lot of the flavored waters taste like diet water, which is awful because i hate diet drinks, and i hate water, so they’re double disgusting! This morning on my way to work I stopped at the gas station to pick up a juice for the day and found the mixed berry. I decided hey, why not try? I LOVE IT! It is the best drink I’ve ever had. It tastes like a cocktail. Yes it has 6g of sugar, but I have to have sugar in my diet! Plus I like that is has calcium, especially since I don’t drink milk. Every little bit counts! Keep it coming Special K!

  • Amy
    May 7, 2008 at 5:59 pm

    I love the Special K K20. I drink the Tropical and the Mixed Berry daily. I have been drinking it in place of unhealty snacks, soda, and juices. I, like SN above, hate water and hate milk. I have been making progress with drinking water but when I am on the go and instead of stopping at a gas station to pick up a foutain drink, I just bring my Fruit K20 with me. I was not fond of the Kiwi Strawberry or the Lemon becuase I felt that they tasted too much like “diet” drinks, plus I swear I tasted a “protein” taste. Either way, I am of the Koolaid generation and I think these taste really good. I also like their bars and cereals. Keep it coming!

  • Linda
    May 21, 2008 at 2:11 am

    I love the mixed drinks, all of them. I never get a break at work and I could slam one of those drinks instead of a meal and keep going, not feeling hungry and I did lose weight. Yes water has less calories, and skim milk has more protein but it has to be refridgerated and tastes flat awful. Unfortunately I can not find the mixed drinks anywhere, just the ones you have to mix! Who has time?

  • Julie Ann
    May 22, 2008 at 3:51 pm

    Kristin,

    I am not sure what your background is, but, I am a dietitian and I think that K2O protein water is an appropriate beverage. The water has 6 grams of sugar (not 8 grams) per 16 oz. which is a “low” sugar content and is needed to provided energy for the body (the brain only uses glucose for energy). Also, what exactly is wrong with Kellogg stating it is a healthy morning snack? It is low in calories, low in sugar and high in protein and fiber which helps in satiety. The reason this water needs to be refrigerated is due to the milk product in the water (whey protein isolate).

    Thank you~
    Julie Ann

  • Kristen King
    May 22, 2008 at 9:57 pm

    Thanks for the comments, everyone!

    Julie Ann, I’m a health writer, and the nutrition information I stated comes directly from the nutrition label on the bottle, so if that’s incorrect, you’ll have to take it up with Kellogg. :)

    I do understand that the whey content is the reason for refrigeration, but I feel that calling it “water” is a misnomer because it’s not water. It’s a beverage, it’s liquid, it has water IN it, but it is NOT water. That’s the point I was trying to make.

    Thanks for your comment. Let me know if there was anything you wanted me to address that I overlooked.

    kk

  • JP
    Jul 8, 2008 at 3:07 pm

    I found these items in the “Health” type area in Walmart near the beauty products, vitamins, etc. - not in the general beverage area.

  • Maria
    Jul 10, 2008 at 10:08 am

    I drink the powders every day. I mix it into a large bottle of water and have it with a yogurt for breakfast at my office desk. I can actually split the powder between two large bottles, one for now and one for later since I prefer the watered down taste as supposed to full strength. For a person on the go this is much better than stale office coffee or tap water.

  • Emma
    Aug 8, 2008 at 8:05 am

    I think that K20 protein water is wonderful! It has protein AND fiber…and none of those scary minerals that other drinks, such as vitamin water, have. The taste doesn’t really bother me and I could mix the powder with a 16 oz bottle and it tastes fine to me. I also have tried the ready to drink version and I like the lemon twist flavor the best. It is hard to find in stores- Target doesn’t have it, CVS only has the powder version, while Meijer actually has a pretty good selection of both powder and ready to drink versions. I love this water!

  • Susie
    Sep 3, 2008 at 8:52 am

    I love the stuff. What else can you drink that tastes like Kool-aid, has no sugars but 5 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber? For anybody looking for nutrition in their drinks it’s right up there with V-8 Fusion and Mass-XXX.

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