Thanks to Mom Central and Kellog’s we received a parcel in the mailbox this morning containing a box of Cheddar Townhouse Flipsides. (They’re also available in original.) (Does the period go inside the bracket there, just like the question mark does here?) (Probably.) (Right?)

We opened the package right at the mailbox in our van on the way to meet friends at the mall. Without reading the ingredients (Shock! I know! But I was driving…) I tasted one and passed one back to Primo. We both liked them well enough. They’re very salty, but that’s to be expected with something that’s intended to be half pretzel. They’re cracker on one side and pretzel on the other, and sure enough - if you put the cracker on your tongue salt side down, it tastes like a pretzel. The other way, it tastes like a full fat cheddar ritz cracker. We had two or three each while driving to the mall and I was quite impressed. We generally eat only Triscuits, organic rice crackers and a few other 100% whole grain crackers, so these definitely had a processed taste compared to what we’re used to but they were still yummy.

When we got home, I finally took a moment to read the ingredients and nutritional information. High fructose corn syrup. Partially hydrogenated oils. Nope - won’t ever be buying them for my family.

The Good: These taste really good. They’re a neat combination of flavours and it’s cool to be able to put a piece of cheese or tomato on top of a pretzel. No cholesterol and no trans fats.

The Bad: There are 70 calories in 5 crackers with almost half coming from fat.

The Ugly: High fructose corn syrup. Partially hydrogenated oils. There are 200 mg of sodium in just 5 crackers. (The recommended intake in a whole day is only 1000-1500 mg depending on your age.)

So, there you have it. My take on Townhouse Flipsides from Kellog’s.

Have you tasted these? Would you buy them? Would you think to read the box carefully before tossing them in your cart or would you be wooed by the new take on pretzels?