KELLOGG'S 'SUSTAIN' - DOES EXACTLY WHAT IT SAYS ON THE BOX?? (Kellogg's Special K Sustain)

Member Name: totalserenity

Product:	Kellogg's Special K Sustain
Date:	12/03/09 (285 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: HEALTHY INGREDIENTS INCLUDED WITHIN...

Disadvantages: OVER-PRICED, LACKING IN TASTE, DOES NOT DELIVER WHAT IT PROMISES...

Well in my humble opinion...that would be a resounding "No"!

Being a Weight Watcher's Gold Member, I am always on the look out for something to keep those dratted 'little hunger pang gremlins' (annoying little blighters!) at bay - thus was quite keen to try Kellogg's new breakfast brainchild 'Special K Sustain'.

Following all the advertising hype, in addition to enticing taglines such as 'with protein and fibre to help keep you satisified 'til lunch', like hoards of healthy eating 'others' no doubt ,I duly trotted off to my nearest supermarket whilst the Special K logo'd products were on an introductory offer of half price.

Boy am I glad I didn't pay the full advertised price of around £2.75, after spoon poised and ready in anticipation, I eagerly dived into the milky cereal bowl depths to sample the heady delights of such enticing ingredients as, and i quote: 'crunchy brown rice and wholewheat flakes'...'and honey flavour soy clusters'. Hmmm, 'yummy' one might think licking one's lips - but one would be sadly mistaken!

My first spoonful was disappointing to say the least; the second distinctly lacking in promise, and by the third sample - well quite frankly it was blandly boring and quite tasteless - despite the promise of 'a great tasting combination', from the normally wonderful Kelloggs company.

Never one to be discouraged by first impressions, I Carried on Regardless - determined to finish the entire contents of the bowl (if only not to waste the milk...), and have a better idea of what all the fuss was about.
In answer to that one, folks - well I genuinely have no idea (*she types with a puzzled expresssion on her face*)? The advertising gurus had worked their magic once again on unsuspecting members of the food-loving, fat-burning of the public with the promise of a full tum 'til lunch - along with the added bonus of it being a low fat product. Music to this leaner, meaner writing machine's quivering ears that's for sure!

On perusing the back of said cereal box, whilst simultaneously chewing patiently on what could quite honestly pass for rabbit food, we read that we have a new and revolutionary concept for our breakfast repast.

Oh, do we indeed?

Well it tasted like an updated 21st century version of that all-time favourite lower digestive tract aid - the hollowed 'All Bran', to little ol' me!?

Now to be fair, the few nut clusters I managed to salvage from the bottom of the box ( i was determined to find, and then sample a few at least), were rather tasty - although tooth-crunchingly hard to the bite, so it wasn't all bad (*she mutters through aching jaw and gritted teeth*...).

From a marketing point of view again, we, the consumers, are informed there are 135 calories in a 40gram serving of Sustain along with <1% trace of saturated fat.
Ok then that's not so bad, is it?
Nevertheless, along with the usual GDA's (Guidleline Daily Amounts) if we take an eye stroll further down on the breakdown of the more detailed information of the nutritional contents of the product (Phew, trying saying that after a few glasses of wine!), it is quoted as having a 5 gram fibre and 14 gram sugar content within the 40 gram portion, if served alongside semi-skimmed milk.

Now hang on a mo...isn't the whole point to have high fibre content to fill our tummies up for longer?! That, surely, is the whole premise for introducing a new Kellogg's cereal onto the market under the Special K logo - to taste new, filling and different; to satiate out appetite for a few hours at least...?

Did my bowl of Sustain achieve any of the above selling plus points?

The answer again I'm afraid is a resounding "No", it did not!

I tried this cereal on several occasions to give it a fair go, but noted no difference on its ability to make me 'feel satisfied for longer' than any other breakfast I had previously tried. So, with it's cardboard-like texture and lack-lustre taste, it is my opinion a poor substitute for it's tastier siblings in the Special K family - such as the luscious red berries range.

Kelloggs I feel cheated! With the promise of a tasty, healthy breakast option at my disposal it just didn't deliver the goods. So readers beware - you have been warned!

Obviously as consumers we have to try new offerings, variety being the spice of our flavoursome lives and all that. However, weighing in at a paltry 375 gram per box compared to its heftier 500gram Special K family members, it just isn't worth the money, time or trouble to try...

Thankyou for stopping by and reading my review, I hope it helps you make an informed decision :o)

Ps, if you do buy to try here's a little tip: It tastes better eaten straight from the box as a dry snack as it's quite sweet without milk - saves burying it at the back of the cupboard...and goes down nicely with a brew!

Summary: "HIGH IN PRICE YET LOW IN TASTE. IF YOU SPEND YOUR MONEY THEN IT'S A WASTE!"