Hot Pockets Lean Pockets - Deli Style Ham and Cheddar Review

About Hot Pockets Lean Pockets - Deli Style Ham and Cheddar

There are several varieties of Lean Pockets, leaner versions of Hot Pockets. My favorite is Deli Style Ham and Cheddar. Because of the cheese, the fat level is higher than in many other varieties but what can I say? I love these things.

Lean Pockets are similar to egg rolls in appearance but are rectangular. There is crust all around and they are stuffed with oozy cheddar cheese and thin sliced deli ham. They come two to a box and microwave up in about two minutes and 30 seconds. Nutrition-wise, these aren't the best choice for a lean snack but they make a passable lunch. Each pocket is a decent size at 4.5 ounces but they also have a rather hefty 270 calories and a not so great 7 grams of fat per pocket. They have a good amount of protein and some vitamins but nothing spectacular to override the calories and fat.

So why do I even eat these? Well, for one, they are a challenge. They never, and I mean NEVER, cook up uniformly. Usually they are boiling hot inside everywhere but one little spot that stays frozen. You never know when you are going to bite into that but it's there, just waiting for you to react. Then there is the inevitable cheese squirt. When you bite into these pockets, the contents push back and often, the cheese squirts out the back, burning your chin, chest, or both. Meanwhile, the melted cheese also burns your mouth. I suppose that's why there is that little frozen area in there. To sooth your mouth burns.

Having said all that, these taste good! They are hot, cheesy, and the ham is very good. Because of the contents, these are fairly high in sodium. I need the extra salt because my blood pressure is low but, if you have high blood pressure or are watching your sodium intake, this variety is probably one of the worst to eat at 560 mg. (23% of the RDA).

Although these seem evil, really a lunch at under 300 calories and 7 grams of fat isn't awful. Add a salad with no fat dressing and a diet soda or water and you have a meal that will fill you up and will not be as evil as pizza or even a ham and cheese sandwich. Remember, typically, one slice of cheese is 9 grams of fat!

I guess some people smoke, some gamble, some drink, and I eat Lean Pockets! But I have it all under control. I will only eat one every week or two. It takes my melted cheese burnt chin that long to heal and my mouth that long to stop burning from the hot contents. These taste good and are fairly filling. They are not the best diet food, especially for those watching sodium content, but they aren't a bad choice now and then. They have much less fat and calories than a typical lunch and only take a couple of minutes to make. And, those who like challenges will LOVE these Lean Pockets! They are full of challenges while cooking and eating. Oh, the fun!

My Viewpoint

Hot Pockets Lean Pockets - Deli Style Ham and Cheddar taste good and are a different choice for lunch now and then. There are much leaner varieties and I also eat them but I have a weakness for this variety so I allow myself to enjoy one every so often. I am not on a diet and am not trying to lose weight so I can eat these without too much guilt. I would recommend them to those who have a spare 7 grams of fat to eat and who aren't watching their sodium intake. Go for it. See if you can find that hidden frozen nugget and if you can avoid the cheesy squirts. (That sounded worse than it is...). I give these 4 stars based on taste and because they are still much leaner than many conventional foods.