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Reviews > Food > Energy Bars and Drinks > Kelloggs Special K2O Protein Waters > Owner Review by Kathleen Waters

KELLOGG'S SPECIAL K2O PROTEIN WATER
BY KATHLEEN WATERS
OWNER REVIEW
August 29, 2007

TESTER INFORMATION

NAME: Kathleen Waters
EMAIL: TheMiddleSister@usaring.com
AGE: 56
LOCATION: White Lake, Michigan USA
GENDER: F
HEIGHT: 5' 4" (1.63 m)
WEIGHT: 125 lb (56.70 kg)

I started hiking in 1998 after an eye-opening climb up Hahn's Peak in Colorado. Hooked, I return to Colorado often. I've hiked/snowshoed glaciers, rain forests, mountains and deserts in domestic and exotic locations, including Iceland, Costa Rica, Slovenia and Death Valley. At home, I plan for 2-3 hikes of 6-8 mi (10-13 km) weekly and one weekend hike monthly. Weekday hikes take place in Pontiac Lake Recreation Area, a mixture of heavily-wooded moderate hills and flat terrain. Weekend hike locations vary. My hiking style is comfortable, aiming for lightweight. Current pack averages 25 lb (11 kg) including food and water

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Manufacturer: Kellogg Company
Year of Manufacture: 2007
Manufacturer's Website: http://www.kelloggs.com
MSRP: US$ N/A
Listed Volume 16 fl oz (473 mL)
Measured Weight: 18 oz (510 g)
Flavors: Lemon Twist, Strawberry Kiwi, Tropical Blend
Flavor Reviewed: Lemon Twist
Calories: 50
Fats: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 8 g
Protein: 5 g

Ingredients
WATER, CONTAINS TWO PERCENT OR LESS OF SUGAR, POLYDEXTROSE, WHEY PROTEIN ISOLATE, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVOR (CONTAINS SOY), PHOSPHORIC ACID, CALCIUM GLUCONATE, CALCIUM LACTATE, SUCRALOSE, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, NIACINAMIDE, YELLOW #5, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE (VITAMIN B6), VITAMIN B12.

Other details: Can be purchased individually or in a four-pack.
Kellogg's Special K2O 4-pack
Kellogg's Special K2O 4 pack


DESCRIPTION

The Kellogg's Special K2O Protein Waters come in bright eye-catching 16 oz (473 mL) plastic bottles. I have sampled all three flavors and am reviewing my favorite, Lemon Twist.

The bottle is a bright yellow with the well-known Special K logo in trademark blue and red on the front with a smaller, less prominent "2" and "O' besides it. The white cap is a twist off cap with the same "Special K" logo on top. It is a narrow-mouth bottle opening.

On the back of the bottle is the standard Nutrition Facts information label.

The liquid is a clear pale yellow with no floating particles.

The taste of Lemon Twist is very sweet. It tastes a lot better when it's very cold. However, I enjoyed it even when it was not remotely cool, especially when I'm parched and the sun is blazing on my head! The taste reminds me of the Pixie Sticks (think powdered drink mix) I loved as a child.

There is no gritty taste or feel which are sometimes present in protein drinks. As a matter of fact, I'm dying to know how Kellogg's "hides" the concentrates that are the source of the Protein Water's protein.

Because of all the sugars (8 g), the Lemon Twist is very sticky if spilled. It also will attract unwanted visitors of the insect world if left open.

FIELD USE

In these past 8 months, I have imbibed Kellogg's Special K2O Protein Waters in all kinds of locations, climates, weather conditions and terrain. Two trips to the Colorado Rocky Mountains, both summer and winter in locations such as Vail, Estes Park, Breckenridge and Steamboat Springs, found K2O bottles tucked into my backpack. I've taken two trips to southern Florida, where I depended on K2O to keep me hydrated on beach treks as well as hikes through the Everglades National Park. I also drank K2O several times a month throughout this time in Michigan from the southeast corner up throughout the state to the northwest part of the Lower Peninsula both hiking and snowshoeing.

With such a variety of locations, I was exposed to heat, cold, rain, snow, sun and clouds, to a range of temperatures from 30 F (1 C) to over 105 F ( 41 C) . Weather conditions included mostly lovely sunny to mildly cloudy days but I had my fair share of mist to rain and flurries to white-outs.

Terrain covered sea-level beaches filled with soft sand to rocky, icy-covered mountain trails as high as 13,000' + (3962 m).

I first saw Kellogg's Special K2O Protein Water products last December (2006) in a mass merchandise store in Canon City, Colorado. I was intrigued seeing that it was a drink that contained protein, so I picked up a couple of bottles to try.

The very next day, I went for a day hike in Red Canyon Park in Canon City and took along a nice cold bottle of the K2O along with my usual quota of plain water. It wasn't particularly warm, maybe 50 F (10 C) or so, but I've come to respect the dry climate which turns my mouth to cotton after the slightest outdoor exertion, so I always carry water or some other liquid with me when outdoors. After an hour or so of hiking, I stopped to try the K2O. Up to that point in the hike, I had been swigging plain water from my water bladder. The Lemon Twist was still cool, but not cold and tasted very good. I felt like it did a good job of quenching my thirst despite its sweetness. There is just enough "tart" to keep the "sweet" from being overpowering.

A couple of hours after that, I again stopped to finish off the remains of the K2O. Now the drink was decidedly warm. While it was not nearly as refreshing as when it was cold, the K2O still was more than just "drinkable."

The next time I packed some Lemon Twist for an active outing, it was for an all-day snowshoe trek/picnic in southeastern Michigan. This time, I had the foresight to semi-freeze the K2O for about 2 hours. This created a slush which kept the drink cool for several hours in 35 F (2 C) temperature. I was able to pace myself by drinking the liquid portion of the K2O as the day progressed. Thereafter, I continued to semi-freeze the bottles each time I chose to include them on my hiking menu.

I easily consume a half case (12 bottles) every other month or so and now purchase the K2O by the case at my local warehouse club.

I like the taste of the stuff, even though it's very sweet. I find it does a good job of quenching my thirst even on the driest, hottest days. In the desert climate of Canon City, Colorado, that's no mean feat! I drink a lot and get tired of taste of plain water after a while, so the K2O Protein Waters are a welcome alternative. But for me, the biggest feature/benefit is the fact that the drink contains protein.

Since I drink so much liquid, there are times that I just am not hungry and don't stop to eat - particularly when I "know" it's going to be that much prettier, over the next ridge! Filling up on sugary carbohydrate laden drinks is not the healthiest way to go, either. With the Special K2O Lemon Twist, I feel better about my nutritional choices, knowing that I'm getting some protein in a very convenient package.

Does the Kellogg's Special K2O Protein Water Lemon Twist give me extra energy or a special boost on the trail? I have no real way of measuring it, but it at least gives me a psychological edge and that's good enough for me to continue to chug away!

THINGS I LIKE

1. Convenient size container.
2. Has protein in it.
3. Low in calories
4. Tastes good!

THINGS I DON'T LIKE

1. Needs to be refrigerated after opening.

SUMMARY

I really like all the Special K2O Protein Waters, although the Lemon Twist is my favorite. I drink them often on the trail, usually in the morning portion of my hikes so they are still cold and I get the benefit of the protein throughout the day. I usually don't have any trouble ingesting my share of carbohydrates while backpacking, but before the K2Os, I worried about being short on protein. Having liquid protein solves my hydration needs as well as goes a ways to taking care of some of my nutritional needs. And I can't complain about the low calorie content, for sure!

The Special K2O Protein Water Lemon Twist will continue to have a place in my backpacking menus.

Kathy Waters

This report was created with the BackpackGearTest.org Report Writer Version 1. Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.

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