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Special K’s #theproteineffect

Over the past 6 months, I’ve professed my love of protein in multiple posts including my tips and tricks to losing a size in a month and my roundup of GNC’s protein powders. In fact, when I look at pictures from this time last year, I attribute the fact that Bo and I have lost weight during marathon training to protein. These days when we are starving after a run or during the day we grab nuts, cheese sticks, cottage cheese, Chobani, or whip up a smoothie.

Therefore, when Fitfluential asked if I was interested in reviewing Special K’s protein enhanced line of cereal, bars and shakes I was more than happy to give them a try. Special K’s new campaign, The Protein Effect or #theproteineffect, revolves around the positive effects protein can have when combined with a healthy diet and exercise.

  • Some research suggests people who get 30% of total calories from protein will feel full longer. Go willpower!
  • Higher protein intake may be beneficial for weight management
  • Protein helps satisfy hunger and in turn helps you stay on track

I used to eat Special K cereal for breakfast when I first started losing weight six years ago. While I love the flavor of Special K I’ve since realized that a 100 calorie bowl of cereal can’t constitute breakfast for me these days. I need protein, fiber and more nutrients.  But, a new enhanced line of Special K products that would be perfect office snack options to battle the afternoon hunger strike? Count me in!

I received an adorable bright Special K red box bursting with assorted products.

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I took the box contents to my office last week and enjoyed them throughout the week in place of my normal afternoon snacks. In addition, I enjoyed the shake this weekend after my final double digit long run.

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Here’s the low-down on my thoughts regarding each of these different products.

Special K Protein Plus Cereal: I am a huge fan of cereal but rarely eat it anymore since I have oatmeal most mornings for breakfast. I have absolutely LOVED having a serving of this in the afternoon with a few berries and a splash of skim milk. It’s a fun change to my afternoon snacks and I like the flavor and crunch. Yes, definitely!

Special K Protein Shake: Okay I definitely have a love hate relationship with these. I really didn’t care for the strawberry flavor or the vanilla flavor which was surprising as those were the two I thought I’d like best. They both seemed too artificial tasting for my liking. But, the chocolate one came through for me this weekend when I had to dash from my long run to yoga and didn’t have time to make a smoothie. This 10 oz shake clocked at 190 calories, 5 grams of fat, 5 grams of fiber, 10 grams of protein, and 18 g of sugar. A bit high on the sugar side but the chocolate was mild and the flavor was smooth without any chalky aftertaste. I’d definitely buy this again and keep a few in the pantry for emergency situations. I do have to admit that the plastic wrapper around the top made them a bit annoying to open. Would I use my own money to buy these again? Yup, but only the chocolate!

Special K Protein Meal Bar: I definitely prefer the cranberry walnut bar over the chocolate ones as those were far too sweet for me. This was a perfect snack bar but NOT a meal bar. Sorry Special K, I love you but 170 calories doesn’t equal a meal in my book. However, 170 calories, 10 grams protein and 5 grams of fiber is a great snack! I wish that sugar wasn’t the second ingredient on the list but if I can grab something like this versus the Halloween candy that is taking over my office than I consider it a win. Would I use my own money to buy these again? Nope, sorry!

So there you have it. My take on these products and the ones I’d buy again or pass on if I was spending my own cash.

To find out more about these products and #theproteineffect project you can follow Special K on Twitter and use the hashtag #theproteineffect to see how others feel about the products and share your experience.  Special K is on Facebook too!

How do you fight hunger?

FitFluential LLC compensated me for this campaign. All opinions are my own.

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Barilla Microwaveable Meals

After a ten days on the West Coast my body needed a recovery day. I can’t believe that I’ve been up and down the West Coast for the past ten days! While Los Angeles was a great work trip, I’m so happy to be back on East coast, aka #thebestcoast in my opinion!

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I slept until 11:30, ran 3.5 miles without music or my Garmin, deep cleaned and organized my closet, enjoyed Fall scented candles, relaxed on the couch with Bo watching Notre Dame and Georgia football, and finally enjoyed an easy pre-long run dinner. Though, I have to admit, the highlight of my day was watching Bo enjoy his first post long run ice bath!

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Neither of us were in the mood to cook tonight. Bo was heading out for a birthday party and I didn’t feel like peeling myself off the couch for more than a water refill. Luckily, while I was traveling the gang at Barilla sent me their new Barilla Microwaveable Meals to test.

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I have never been a fan of microwave meals as they are normally filled with preservatives, almost a day’s worth of sodium, and lack flavor. Therefore, the first thing I did when Bo grabbed two of these from the pantry was to check out the nutrition facts.

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I was pretty impressed by the nutrition facts especially the protein and fiber.

Nutritional Info in The Mezze Penne with Traditional Marinara Sauce: 320 calories; 11 grams of protein; 58 carbs;5 grams of fat (0 trans fat); 6 grams of fiber.

While the sodium is almost 1/3 daily value, this is far less than some other microwave meal options and is actually perfect for me since I’m running 18 miles outside tomorrow and know that I’ll be sweating A LOT! A little extra sodium is actually good for me!

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I thought the ready in 60 seconds advertisement had to be too good to be true. But, much to my surprise in just 60 seconds the pasta was steaming and the sauce was bubbling hot. The sauce container easily lifts out so you can combine the sauce with the pasta in the provided dish. To make this feel a bit more like a Saturday night dinner, I used a pasta bowl and added some grilled chicken, steamed cauliflower and goat cheese before mixing everything together.

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Bo and I both enjoyed these for dinner and were really impressed. While I had the traditional marinara sauce flavor he tried the spicy marinara sauce which was a perfect dinner before hitting the town with friends for birthday celebrations. He added some thinly sliced prosciutto to the mix for a perfect, flavorful bowl of pasta goodness.

 

There are five flavors available for around $3.29 per package in major grocery stores.

  • Mezze Penne with Tomato & Basil Sauce
  • Mezze Penne with Traditional Marinara Sauce
  • Mezze Penne with Spicy Marinara Sauce
  • Whole Grain Fusilli with Vegetable Marinara Sauce
  • Whole Grain Mezze Penne with Tomato & Basil Sauce

These are great options for nights when I don’t get home until late or as easy lunch options. I think I’ll always add some protein and vegetables to the pasta and sauce for a more filling and nutritionally well rounded meal. But, for the price and flavor it can’t be beat! How often do you have half used jars of sauce or boxes of pasta sitting around in the house? This package will stay fresh for a year in the pantry!

I hope y’all have a great rest of your weekend. I’m heading to the bedroom to enjoy the rest of this UGA football game before running 18 miles tomorrow morning! I’m doing 6 miles solo before heading up to the Bronx with Gia for the NYRR Bronx 10 miler and then 2 miles solo after the race. Afterwards Meg and I are going to take my mother-in-law to the Wanderlust Yoga Festival on Pier 63!

Question: Do you ever eat microwave meals? If so, what is your favorite? 

FitFluential LLC compensated me for this Campaign.All opinions are my own

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Protein Four Ways

Once upon a time, a New York City blogger received a package so large that she couldn’t even fit it in her New York sized pantry. Come one, come all she begged her friends and family to help her sample and enjoy the protein powder. This box contained containers of protein larger than she even knew existed.

Based on this opening, I think you all get my drift. The amazing folks at GNC sent me a package of assorted protein powders to review and experience in hopes of finding one that fit my needs and taste buds perfectly, like a glass slipper.

For the past two weeks I’ve used protein in at least one meal or snack per day, ranging from oats to smoothies of multiple flavors.

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  • Apple Oats: 1/2 cup oats, diced apple, dash of cinnamon, scoop of Vanilla Whey protein powder, and boiling water.
  • Chocolate Covered Strawberry Oats: 1/2 cup oats, sliced strawberries, scoop of chocolate egg protein powder, and boiling water.
  • Simple Chocolate Shake: 1 cup Almond Breeze or water mixed vigorously with chocolate egg protein powder.

Some people ask, why the protein? Or, why can’t I just get it from whole foods. My answer to that is pretty simple. I do get a great deal of protein from whole foods like chicken breast, shrimp in salads, and cheese but as someone who tends to have a ravenous appetite, protein helps keep me full longer. By adding a scoop of protein to my oatmeal, I’ve eliminated the need for a morning snack. A simple chocolate shake in the afternoon is a great way for me to stop the afternoon hunger/sugar monster and help repair muscles. In addition, as I start marathon training next week I really need to keep my eating in check. I’ve worked too hard to get back into all my size 6 and 8 clothes and within a few pounds of my goal weight to lose it all to afternoon snack binges brought on my “marathon mindset” and an insatiable hunger.

If I can reach in my desk drawer and pull out a hunger buster like this, then I’m a happy camper!

012 Really, the only thing that I worry about in regard to protein powder is the sodium, sugar, or cholesterol levels. Luckily, these proteins were all low in sugar and cholesterol, but a few of them had more sodium then I’d like.

Protein Recap

As I mentioned above, GNC sent me four different types of protein to sample (egg, whey, soy, and casein). Before this, I really didn’t know casein or egg existed. I didn’t realize that GNC carried such a wide variety of powders both in flavors and types!

Here’s what I learned about each type and my thoughts:

012GNC Pro Performance 100% Whey Protein: Whey is a fast absorbing protein and therefore perfect for right before or after workouts. It is perfect for my morning oats since I enjoy them right after my workout each day. This powder also mixed very easily and the vanilla wasn’t too sweet. A full scoop is 120 calories, 2 grams of fat, 20 grams of protein, 2 g of sugar, and 4% sodium but 13% cholesterol. I found that I didn’t need a full scoop to help keep me full and energized so after a week I reduced it to a half scoop.

GNC Pro Performance® 100% Casein Protein - Chocolate - GNC PRO PERFORMANCE - GNC

GNC Pro Performance 100% Casein Protein: This protein is very slowly absorbed and therefore many people take it at night to gain lean muscle. Who knew you could develop muscle while you slept. As you can tell, I’m not sold on this one. It mixed horribly, didn’t taste as delicious as the egg and was overall sub-par. Now, one interesting fact is that while it delivers 25 grams of protein, it also includes 5 grams of fiber.

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GNC Pro Performance 100% Egg Protein: This protein is lactose free which is pefect for people who have lactose sensitivities. One serving equals the protein of four eggs but without the cholesterol. This one has less cholesterol than the whey while delivering more protein (25 grams) but I found that it didn’t mix quite as well. However, I did enjoy this a few evenings as “dessert” when mixed with water or Almond Breeze. I still which it had less sodium (20%)!!

GNC Pro Performance® Soy Protein 95™ - Unflavored - GNC PRO PERFORMANCE - GNC

GNC Pro Performance 100% Soy Protein: This protein is completely plant based while also containing all the essential amino acids. I love that this one is cholesterol free while still delivering 25 grams of protein. Unfortunately, I could only stomach the flavor when mixed in my chocolate covered strawberry oats and in a smoothie. Mixed with water, milk, or Almond Breeze this was too chalky and didn’t mix as well as the egg.

While I enjoyed all of these powders more than expected, I foresee myself returning to GNC in the future to restock on either vanilla whey or egg protein as I use this flavor the most in my oats and smoothies. I also really liked the nutritional profile of these two the best and felt they mixed well and had great flavors. While these both have cholesterol and sodium levels that surprised me, I don’t think a half serving per day will hurt me and if it helps keep the weight gain away during marathon training then bring it on!

Each of these products is available in your GNC or in their online store!

Do you use protein powder? If so, what is your favorite type of protein powder?

Disclosure: I was provided this selection of protein powders for review purposes as part of a campaign with GNC and FitFluential. As always, all opinions and thoughts are my own.

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