The Special K diet: Helpful for weight loss?

The so-called Special K diet is a diet plan created by Kellogg, the manufacturer of Special K cereal. The Special K diet, officially known as the Special K Challenge, encourages you to replace two of your regular meals, such as breakfast and lunch, with a low-fat, low-calorie Special K product, such as Special K cereal or a Special K protein meal bar or shake. The Special K diet says you can eat your third meal as you normally would. The Special K diet also encourages you to eat two snacks a day, either fruits and vegetables or additional Special K products.

As with any calorie-reduction diet, you can probably lose some weight on the Special K diet. By replacing regular meals with portion-controlled Special K products, you probably will cut your normal daily calorie intake, leading to weight loss.

On the other hand, the Special K diet may leave you feeling hungry and deprived because of the lack of variety from fruits, vegetables and other healthy food options. It also may be difficult to stick to the Special K diet long enough to reach your weight-loss goal. And once you stop the Special K diet, you may regain any weight you lost if you haven't changed unhealthy behaviors that led to your weight gain to begin with, such as overeating and lack of exercise. Remember, the key to permanent weight loss is developing healthy eating and exercise habits.