The diet suggests that if people eat a breakfast comprising of a 45 gram bowl of Special K cereal with 125ml low fat milk and substitute either lunch or dinner with another 45 gram bowl of Special K and 125ml half fat, semi-skimmed, milk, if the third meal of the day (either lunch or dinner) is a balanced, healthy meal containing lots of fruit and vegetables, a source of protein such as lean grilled chicken or fish or vegetarian alternatives and carbohydrates in the form of jacket potatoes, rice, pasta or bread, then people will be able to lose sufficient amounts of weight to drop a dress size after two weeks. The diet also requires a regular intake of non-alcoholic and sugar reduced drinks.

The manufactures of Special K cereal, Kellogg’s, back their claim with scientific evidence from a leading university. The university were asked to look at the effects of eating two bowls of Special K cereal twice a day for two weeks would have on body shape and fat percentage. The third meal was as suggested above and any snacks were replaced with Special K snack bars or fruit.

The study involved overweight volunteers whose body shape measurements and trouser size were taken at the start and again after two weeks of following the regime. The scientific studies showed that 75% of the volunteers had slimmer hips and waist after the two week programme which they concluded was due partly to loss of body fat from these two areas, for three out of four people.

For the general public Kellogg’s recommend that a person is over 18 years old and that their Body Mass Index (BMI) is calculated prior to beginning the diet and should be 25 or over for their diet to be most effective. Kellogg’s do also state that their Special K Diet is not recommended as a long diet but as a way to kick-start people into losing weight fast and helping them to begin a healthy eating life style.

They also recommend that if a person is wishing to lose more than 20% of their starting weight, have a medical condition or are taking medication that a doctor is consulted before starting the Special K Diet.