So Lean All-American Breakfast Stuffed Pouches Review

When it comes to breakfast, I'll admit that I'm not always so great. If I'm in a rush, I have no qualms with stopping by McDonalds or a donut shop. Obviously, after 3 months of such stopping once or twice a week, I gained about 15 pounds. Ouch.

On a quest to find a healthier breakfast alternative, I found So Lean one day at the store. At nearly $3.00 for just two "All-American Breakfast Studded Pouches," I was sure that this would be a bust.

I literally ate those words. I could not have been more wrong!!

What it is: In the world of high-calorie breakfast options, these breakfast pouches are filling, delicious and sustaining. On the surface, it looks like a bierock with sweeter dough and a cheesy, pork and soy filling.

(Side note: a bierock is a meat-filled pastry popular in central and eastern Europe.)

Nutrition Information

For one serving (one pouch), you're going to get:

- 250 calories
- 16 g Protein
- 3 g Fiber
- 0 g Trans fat
- 4.5 g Fat
- 460 mg Sodium
- 10% daily value of Calcium and iron
- 4% daily value of Vitamin C
- 2% daily value of Vitamin A

What does that mean to you?

Take your average Egg McMuffin from McDonalds. ONE McMuffin gives you the following:

- 300 calories
- 18 g protein
- 2 g Fiber
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 12 g Fat
- 820 mg Sodium
- 30% dv of Iron
- 20% dv of Calcium
- 0% dv of Vitamin C
- 10% dv of Vitamin A

If you add in ONE hashbrown, you're looking at:

- 450 calories
- 19 g protein
- 4 g Fiber
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 21 g Fat
- 1130 mg Sodium
- 30% dv of Iron
- 22% dv of Calcium
- 2% dv of Vitamin C
- 10% dv of Vitamin A

That's a LOT to pay for when you have the breakfast pouch! Instead of eating 21 grams of fat, you'll eat less than five. Pretty incredible when you think about it.

Or take your average SlimFast plan (Creamy Chocolate SlimFast Optima Drink):

- 190 calories
- 10 g protein
- 5 g Fiber
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 6 g Fat
- 200 mg Sodium
- 15% dv of Iron
- 50% dv of Calcium
- 100% dv of Vitamin C
- 35% dv of Vitamin A

I'll admit that Slimfast seems like a great alternative. It's less expensive (only $1/can) and easy to go. No heating required! However, it's not very reliable at lasting until lunchtime. Plus, it often leaves a funky, chemical taste in your mouth. If you're just starting it, you'll have some digestive issues to deal with too.

Short look at nutrition facts:

- Calories: Most adults need between 1700-2500 calories each day, depending on level of activity, gender, weight, etc. In general, most people don't just eat three meals a day. Finding healthy food that also isn't heavy in calories is usually fairly important for most people watching their weight.

- Protein: Protein is what sustains you between meals. High protein items will help make a meal last until the next meal. As a rule, if you're weightlifting, you'll want to consult a specialist. For the rest of us, you'll want to consume an average f 70-90 grams each day. Remember: it's not just your main meals that provide protein! If you don't get enough, you're going to overeat.

- Fiber: Fiber helps our bowels stay regular, prevents diseases and maintains a healthy digestive track. In other words: it's good for you. Most adults need between 25-30 grams per day. Needless to say, most aren't getting even half of that.

- Trans Fat: Bad for you. End of Story.

- Fat: If you're on a 1800 cal/day diet, you don't want more than 20 g of fat. If you're on a 2400 cal/day diet, you don't want more than 27 g of fat.

- Sodium: Did you know that the average American consumes more than double the recommended sodium intake? We need between 1,100-3,300 mg per day -most Americans average more than 5,000 mg per day. We normally eliminate the salt thru our kidneys, and when we get too sensitive to it, we start getting high blood pressure. So in short: watch your sodium!

Now, if you want a more in-depth look at nutrition in your life, check out a nutrition counselor. It never hurts to keep a food diary either!

In Short

This is one breakfast that really is beneficial on all realms. It's not vegetarian friendly, but it's not a completely greasy, meaty alternative either. It's perfect to go and easy to make. Just pop it into the microwave from frozen for 60 seconds on defrost and another 60 seconds on high. That's it. You don't even have to remove the package until you're ready to eat.

In addition to this, it's fairly easy on your stomach. I have a sensitive stomach, and this was the first breakfast item (other than oatmeal) that didn't send me running to the bathroom. It tastes REAL, which is always a plus.

Bummers

1) It's expensive -around $1.50/pouch means it's pretty costly. A quick alternative (McDonalds meal) costs around $5/day -eating that twice a week for a year will cost you $520. If you were to each the pouch every work day for a year, it would cost you around $390. More expensive than oatmeal, but still a great alternative to fast food!

2) No vegetarian friendly -I'm just starting on this, so there may be options out there. I wouldn't be surprised if they have vegetarian options soon, if they don't already.

3) Not available everywhere -we found ours at a local Target. Thus far, that's the only place to carry them.

In Conclusion

If you can find them, give them a try. I will promise you'll be hooked!