Kashi unveils keto-friendly, high-protein breakfast cereal

15 Jan 2021 --- Kashi Go Keto-Friendly Cereal marks the Kellogg’s-owned brand’s first offering for people following a ketogenic diet. Kashi, which specializes in natural and organic cereal, is also targeting people looking to reduce their sugar and carbohydrate intake.

“We know that consumers are leaving traditional cereal behind to meet their evolving needs, adopting diets that limit sugar intake, increase protein content, and avoid grains,” says Melanie Hall, director of brand marketing at Kashi.

“Our mission is to provide these consumers with a keto-friendly cereal that is nutritious, tasty and more affordable than other options on the market.” 

Each 40 g serving of the cereal contains 12 g plant-based protein, boosted by ingredients like pea protein and lentil and chickpea flour. Meanwhile, sweetening with allulose and monk fruit allows the cereal to achieve a sugar content of just 1 g.

Kashi Go Keto-Friendly Cereal also has 5 to 6 g of dietary fiber. The company says this will leave people feeling energized and satiated, making it ideal for breakfast or a midday pick-me-up.

One of the available flavors is dark cocoa, which Kashi describes as “reminiscent of an indulgent mug of hot chocolate.” Meanwhile, cinnamon vanilla contains the familiar flavor of a freshly baked cinnamon roll.Keto NPD has skyrocketed in recent years. (Source: Innova Market Insights)

Keto diet on the rise
Kashi says that its cereal will help people meet their high-fat, moderate-protein and low-carb dietary goals. According to the brand, this is at about half the cost of competitor keto cereals.

According to Innova Market Insights, there has been 165 percent CAGR in F&B launches with a keto claim between 2016 and 2020. 

In this space, Fat Snax and General Mills both introduced new offerings over the fall. Meanwhile, Suraksha Naturals offers Keto-Vedya supplement sprays, which allow people practicing the keto diet to benefit from Ayurvedic products, all while avoiding pill fatigue.

In addition to keto’s appeal for weight management, the diet has also been linked to other benefits. In October, a study found that a ketogenic beverage containing Nestlé Health Science’s BrainXpert Energy Complex boosted brain function in people with mild cognitive impairment. 

Meanwhile, a report from Kerry Health and Nutrition Institute found that low-carbohydrate, high-fat diets may help reduce an endurance athlete’s response to fatigue at a low intensity.

Individualized diets
The keto diet’s growth ties in with rising demands for personalized nutrition – the subject of the market researcher’s “Tailored to Fit” trend for 2021.

Notably, Innova Market Insights reports that two-thirds of global consumers have found more ways to tailor their lives and the products they buy to their individual styles, beliefs and needs. 

A 2020 survey also found that nutrition needs was the top way people prefer to have their nutritional experience personalized. Other significant preferences were basing nutritional experiences on lifestyles and body composition.

Edited by Katherine Durrell