Weight Loss & Diet Plans

The Special K Challenge

The Special K Challenge: Food for Thought

If you only need to drop a few pounds or want to jump-start a long-term weight loss plan, the Special K diet is a great place to begin. To make it healthier, add regular physical activity, make sure your dinner meal is healthy, and take a daily multivitamin to fill in any nutritional gaps.

You can lose weight on the Special K Challenge. It can also help you make some adjustments toward a healthier eating plan, such as starting each day with a healthy breakfast and controlling your portions.

But keep in mind that this is not a long-term weight loss solution, and if you return to your regular diet, the weight can come back quickly. The Special K diet doesn't address other lifestyle changes that are the foundation of a sustainable weight loss program. And it's the things you do on a daily basis that really make the difference over time.

As with any weight loss plan, it's best to see your doctor before beginning the program.

Kathleen Zelman, MPH, RD, is director of nutrition for WebMD and the WebMD Weight Loss Clinic. Her opinions and conclusions are her own.