Kellogg's
Is Kellogg's Special K Cereal Cinnamon Brown Sugar Crunch healthy?
Special K Cereal Cinnamon Brown Sugar Crunch
Longevity Score
62/100
Food Integrity Score
52/100
Limit When Possible
Mixed or weaker nutrition and ingredient signals suggest looking for better options when you can.
Quick answer
Limit When Possible
Kellogg's special k cereal cinnamon brown sugar crunch is rated limit when possible overall, with a Longevity Score of 62 out of 100 and a Food Integrity Score of 52 out of 100. Fortified, refined-grain cereal with added sugars, artificial colors, and BHT; moderate fiber and protein offset by processing. Strengths include good protein for a cereal (about 9g per cup), some fiber from whole wheat, bran, and corn flour, and low saturated fat and modest sodium, while main considerations include multiple added sugars including brown sugar syrup and fructose, artificial/derived color additives (turmeric, annatto extracts), and refined flour and isolate-based ultra-processed build.
Longevity Score 62/100Food Integrity Score 52/100
What helped the score?
- Good protein for a cereal (about 9g per cup)
- Some fiber from whole wheat, bran, and corn flour
- Low saturated fat and modest sodium
What held the score back?
- Multiple added sugars including brown sugar syrup and fructose
- Artificial/derived color additives (turmeric, annatto extracts)
- Refined flour and isolate-based ultra-processed build
Ingredients
Ingredient list
Whole wheat flour, sugar, soy protein isolate, rice flour, cornstarch, whole grain yellow corn flour, brown sugar syrup, wheat bran, fructose, contains 2% or less of salt, cinnamon, natural flavors, turmeric extract color, annatto extract color, BHT for freshness.Vitamins and Minerals: Calcium carbonate, magnesium oxide, reduced iron, niacinamide, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B1 (thiamin hydrochloride), folic acid, vitamin D3, vitamin B12.
Formulations can vary — check the package label for the final word.
Key nutrition
Per serving: 42 g (1 Cup)
- Calories1588% DV
- Protein9.5g19% DV
- Total Carbs29.2g11% DV
- Fiber4.1g15% DV
- Total Fat1.2g2% DV
- Saturated Fat0.3g2% DV
Source data, GTIN, and Healthy Food Guide analysis details
Product facts
- Product
- Kellogg's Special K Cereal Cinnamon Brown Sugar Crunch
- Brand
- Kellogg's
- Category
- Breakfast & Cereal (source: Processed Cereal Products)
- GTIN / UPC
00038000113277- Serving size
- 42 g (1 Cup)
- Source data — ingredients
- Ingredient list from product label data (see Sources)
- Healthy Food Guide analysis
- Independent Longevity and Food Integrity scorecards. See methodology under Sources.
- Data last verified
How this product may fit different goals
The same food can look different depending on what matters most to you. Here is a general preview of how this product may align with several common goals.
Low-Spike Stability
MixedMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing Low-Spike Stability, the same nutrition and ingredient data show both supportive signals and tradeoffs.
A tradeoff: Higher net carbs (25.1g)
This product has 4 additional signals for this goal.
Heart-Healthy Eating
SupportiveMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing Heart-Healthy Eating, the available data suggest this product may align in helpful ways.
A supportive signal: Low saturated fat (0.3g)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
GLP-1 Eating Support
MixedMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing GLP-1 Eating Support, the same nutrition and ingredient data show both supportive signals and tradeoffs.
A tradeoff: Higher sugar (12.1g)
This product has 2 additional signals for this goal.
Low Sugar Lifestyle
MixedMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing Low Sugar Lifestyle, the same nutrition and ingredient data show both supportive signals and tradeoffs.
A tradeoff: Higher sugar (12.1g)
This product has 3 additional signals for this goal.
Appetite & Portion Awareness
MixedMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing Appetite & Portion Awareness, the same nutrition and ingredient data show both supportive signals and tradeoffs.
A tradeoff: Higher sugar (12.1g)
This product has 2 additional signals for this goal.
Athletic Fueling
Watch-outsAthletic Performance
For someone prioritizing Athletic Fueling, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Carbohydrate is almost entirely sugar (12.1g of 29.2g carbs)
Vegetarian
SupportiveDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Vegetarian, the available data suggest this product may align in helpful ways.
A supportive signal: Plant-food ingredients (Mentions "soy protein". See ingredients for details.)
Vegan
SupportiveDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Vegan, the available data suggest this product may align in helpful ways.
A supportive signal: Plant-food ingredients (Mentions "soy protein". See ingredients for details.)
Plant-Based
SupportiveDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Plant-Based, the available data suggest this product may align in helpful ways.
A supportive signal: Plant-food ingredients (Mentions "soy protein". See ingredients for details.)
Low-Carb Lifestyle
MixedDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Low-Carb Lifestyle, the same nutrition and ingredient data show both supportive signals and tradeoffs.
A tradeoff: Higher net carbs (25.1g)
This product has 2 additional signals for this goal.
Keto-Style Eating
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Keto-Style Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Net carbs above typical keto snack range (25.1g)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
Low Gluten Eating
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Low Gluten Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Gluten-related ingredients (Mentions "wheat". See ingredients for details.)
Minimally Processed Eating
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Minimally Processed Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Sweetener signals (sugar, brown sugar syrup)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
Whole-Food Focused Eating
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Whole-Food Focused Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Sweetener signals (sugar, brown sugar syrup)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
Reduce Ultra-Processed Foods
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Reduce Ultra-Processed Foods, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Sweetener signals (sugar, brown sugar syrup)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
Paleo-Style Eating
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Paleo-Style Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Grain/legume ingredients (Mentions "wheat", "flour", "corn". See ingredients for details.)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
Workout Recovery
NeutralAthletic Performance
For someone prioritizing Workout Recovery, the available Longevity and Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
Strength & Protein Focus
NeutralAthletic Performance
For someone prioritizing Strength & Protein Focus, the available Longevity and Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
Pescatarian
NeutralDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Pescatarian, the available Longevity and Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
Mediterranean-Style Eating
NeutralDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Mediterranean-Style Eating, the available Longevity and Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
Healthy Fat Focus
NeutralDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Healthy Fat Focus, the available Longevity and Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
See how this product fits your goals
Choose what matters most to you and explore a more detailed interpretation of this product's nutrition, ingredients, and tradeoffs.
Common questions about this product
Is Kellogg's Special K Cereal Cinnamon Brown Sugar Crunch highly processed?
Food Integrity lists processing level as Highly processed. That reflects formulation and processing signals from the ingredient analysis — not a medical or regulatory classification.
Why are the Longevity and Food Integrity scores different?
Longevity emphasizes nutrition per serving and longer-term dietary alignment. Food Integrity emphasizes ingredients, additives, processing, and label transparency. The same product can score differently on those lenses.
How much fiber is in one serving?
Kellogg's Special K Cereal Cinnamon Brown Sugar Crunch shows about 4.07g of fiber per labeled serving in the Longevity nutrition facts.
Does it contain added sugar?
Kellogg's Special K Cereal Cinnamon Brown Sugar Crunch: 12.14g total sugar per serving; sweetener signals include sugar, brown sugar syrup. Confirm the current package Nutrition Facts and ingredient list.
What helped the Longevity Score?
Key positives called out in the analysis include: Good protein for a cereal (about 9g per cup); Some fiber from whole wheat, bran, and corn flour; Low saturated fat and modest sodium.
What prevented a perfect Longevity Score?
Key concerns noted include: Multiple added sugars including brown sugar syrup and fructose; Artificial/derived color additives (turmeric, annatto extracts); Refined flour and isolate-based ultra-processed build.
Who might evaluate this product differently?
People prioritizing different goals (for example lower carbs, higher protein, or minimally processed eating) may weigh the same breakfast & cereal differently. Use the goal preview on this page, then personalize in KarbCoach for your priorities.
Source data and Healthy Food Guide analysis
- Public label databases (including USDA FoodData Central and Open Food Facts) — Possible sources for package ingredients and nutrition.
- Healthy Food Guide analysis (Longevity and Food Integrity) — Independent Longevity and Food Integrity scorecards.
- How the Longevity Score is calculated
- How the Food Integrity Score is calculated
- Scoring models: KarbCoach Longevity and Food Integrity.
- Independent analysis. No manufacturer affiliation.
- Formulations can vary by region, size, and packaging. Check the package label for ingredients, allergens, and nutrition. Not medical advice — do not use this site or the KarbCoach mobile app for allergy or health decisions. Full sources and safety details.
Label accuracy and safety information
Formulations can vary by region, size, and packaging. Check the package label for ingredients, allergens, and nutrition. Not medical advice — do not use this site or the KarbCoach mobile app for allergy or health decisions.
See how this item lines up with your goals
Healthy Food Guide covers this product in detail. In KarbCoach, your goals shape what matters most for your meals.
Also available in the app
