Extruded cereals
Kellogg's Special K Cinnamon and Pecan
11.8 oz
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Contains added sugars
- No synthetic dyes
- Contains whole grains
Why it scores 20
Kellogg's Special K Cinnamon and Pecan scores 20 out of 100 (Poor) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Sugar: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 20 points Brown sugar: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better breakfast cereals
-
Special K Zero Cinnamon Kellogg's No added sugars · No sugar Score 52 out of 100 , 32 points higher -
Special K Red Berries Kellogg's · 140 g Not ultra-processed · No brown sugar Score 55 out of 100 , 35 points higher -
Catalina Crunch Cinnamon Toast Protein Cereal Catalina Crunch · 24 oz No added sugars · No sugar Score 61 out of 100 , 41 points higher -
Cinnamon apple cereal Cascadian Farms Organic · 12 oz No added sugars · No sugar Score 66 out of 100 , 46 points higher -
Classic Bircher Apple Cinnamon Almond Muesli Cereal Seven Sundays · 12 oz (340 g) Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 97 out of 100 , 77 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Special K Cinnamon and Pecan
Ingredients
- Sugar minus 20 points
- Brown sugar minus 20 points
- Malt syrup minus 10 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Sugars 22 g / 100 g minus 11 points
- Salt 1.1 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Energy 390 kcal / 100 g minus 2 points
- Fiber 7.3 g / 100 g plus 4 points
100 − 80 = 20
Can’t score above 79. Contains sugar, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 390 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 6.1 g |
| Saturated fat | 0 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 80.5 g |
| Sugars | 22 g |
| Fiber | 7.3 g |
| Protein | 7.3 g |
| Salt | 1.1 g |
Serving: 41g
Ingredients
- Whole grain wheat
- rice
- sugar (high concern)
- pecans
- wheat bran
- brown sugar syrup (high concern)
- salt
- cinnamon
- malt flavor (high concern)
- iron
- vitamin C
- vitamin E acetate
- niacinamide
- vitamin B6
- vitamin B1
- vitamin B2
- beta-carotene
- folic acid
- vitamin D3
- vitamin B12
Label text, as published
Whole grain wheat, rice, sugar, pecans, wheat bran, brown sugar syrup, salt, cinnamon, malt flavor, iron, vitamin C, vitamin E acetate, niacinamide, vitamin B6, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, beta-carotene, folic acid, vitamin D3, vitamin B12.
Allergens and diets
Contains: Tree nuts, Wheat, Gluten
- Not gluten-free
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More extruded cereals on GoodSwap
-
Cheerios General Mills · 8.9 oz Contains added sugarsContains whole grains Score 65 out of 100 Good -
Honey Nut Cheerios General Mills · 10.8 oz Ultra-processedHigh in sugarContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 17 out of 100 Bad -
Shredded Wheat Post · 18 oz Contains whole grains Score 100 out of 100 Excellent -
Froot Loops Kellogg's Dye with an EU warning labelContains synthetic dyesUltra-processedHigh in sugar Score 5 out of 100 Bad -
Strawberry Banana Cheerios Cheerios · 14.9 oz Ultra-processedHigh in sugarHigh in saltContains added sugars Score 13 out of 100 Bad -
Marshmallows & Stars Aldi Ultra-processedHigh in sugarContains added sugarsNo synthetic dyes Score 9 out of 100 Bad
More from Kellogg's
Sources
-
Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children
“In both adults and children, WHO recommends reducing the intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake”
who.int
-
Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030
“Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”
cdn.realfood.gov
-
Added and free sugars should be as low as possible
“Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
“For adults, WHO recommends less than 2000 mg/day of sodium (equivalent to less than 5 g/day salt), or just under a teaspoon.”
who.int
-
“Greater exposure to ultra-processed food was associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, especially cardiometabolic, common mental disorder, and mortality outcomes.”
doi.org