A few weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to receive a package from Kay’s Naturals with an abundance of protein-rich cereals and snack foods. The arrival of this package happened to coincide with an assignment for which these products proved to be helpful.

For my Health, Wellness, and Fitness class, I must complete a behavior modification project, in which I can choose any health behavior and try to implement it in my own life. In light of my tendency to gravitate toward carbs and neglect my protein needs, I opted to increase my protein intake for the assignment. As a lacto-vegetarian, my protein options are a tad limited. Despite regular consumption of Greek yogurt and my enthusiasm for tofu, my protein intake was still a bit low; this project was proving to be more difficult than anticipated. Then, I discovered Kay’s Naturals…

Kay’s Naturals produces a variety of protein-fortified foods, including cereals, pretzels, and  baked chips. Protein contents per 1 oz serving hover around 9-10 grams for most products.  In addition to their high protein content, ALL of these products are also gluten-free.

However, Kay’s products are not without their flaws. The impressive protein counts are due to the addition of soy protein isolate. As you all know, I am a big fan of soy foods, but until there is more conclusive evidence about their long-term effects, I aim to eat it in moderation. Hence, I found it difficult to routinely eat these products and keep my soy consumption in the moderate range.

Another hidden drawback involves the fiber count. Most of these products have at least modest amounts of fiber, 2-3 grams. A quick scan of the ingredients list reveals that this magical fiber is due to the addition of inulin, an isolated form of fiber. Studies (see Pedersen et al., 2007) have indicated that some of the benefits of fiber (e.g., lowering LDL cholesterol and blood sugar) are limited to only naturally occurring fiber. Accordingly, fiber from isolated sources such as inulin, polydextrose, and maltodextrin won’t have any effect on cholesterol or blood sugar levels. Nonetheless, isolated fibers such as these likely won’t cause any negative side effects.

All nutritional considerations aside, here are a few notes on what we foodies really care about—the taste:

Cereals:

All of the cereals are pleasantly sweet, and I enjoyed them all. They have a very light texture, making them perfect for soaking up your favorite milk or yogurt. They have great crunch too, which is a definite plus for all my fellow crunch-monsters. The Honey Almond was my favorite, as it paired perfectly with Greek yogurt and dates.

Pretzels:

As a carb lover, one of my favorite snacks is pretzels and peanut butter. I was delighted to discover these protein-rich versions, especially because they come in a wide variety of flavors. They were all distinct too, with Jalapeno Honey Mustard to Cinnamon Sugar. Be careful when handling these snacks though—they have a tendency to break, which is not optimal for serious peanut butter dipping. My favorite variety was the Cinnamon Sugar; they reminded me of those delightful Auntie Anne’s pretzels I used to get at the mall as a child. I did not enjoy the Jalapeno Honey Mustard though, it was far too salty for my taste, and the Golden Butter Twists had a distinct “soy protein” taste that was not pleasant.

Chips:

Thanks to my insistent sweet tooth, I don’t regularly consume chips. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the Kay’s version. I would describe them more as a chip-cracker hybrid. The one flavor I have tried thus far (Lemon Herb) was quite salty but still enjoyable.

Special thanks to Kay’s Naturals for sending these products!

Have you ever tried any protein-fortified snacks like these? What did you think?

Filed under: Product Review