Ham (deli) vs String Cheese

Side-by-side macro comparison. Ham (deli) vs String Cheese per their standard serving sizes.

Ham (deli)

per 2 slices (56g)

60 cal
10g Protein
1.5g Carbs
1.5g Fat
Full Ham (deli) macros →
vs

String Cheese

per 1 stick (28g)

80 cal
7g Protein
1g Carbs
6g Fat
Full String Cheese macros →

Macro Comparison Table

Macro Ham (deli) String Cheese Difference
Calories 60 cal 80 cal -25% Ham
Protein 10g 7g +43% Ham
Carbs 1.5g 1g +50% Ham
Fat 1.5g 6g -75% Ham

Differences shown relative to Ham (deli). Positive = Ham (deli) has more.

Quick Take

Ham (deli) delivers 60 calories per serving with 10g protein, 1.5g carbs, and 1.5g fat. String Cheese delivers 80 calories with 7g protein, 1g carbs, and 6g fat. The most meaningful difference: they're within 20 calories per serving, so calorie load is essentially equivalent. Both deliver similar protein density.

When to Pick Each

For Cutting / Weight Loss

When cutting on a tight calorie budget, Ham (deli) gives you 20 more calories of headroom per serving — that's room for an extra snack, more vegetables, or a higher-protein second portion. If protein density matters more (which it does for preserving muscle on a deficit), Ham (deli) delivers more grams of protein per calorie consumed.

For Bulking / Muscle Gain

For muscle gain, you want calories AND protein. String Cheese brings 80 calories — useful when you're chasing a surplus and struggling to eat enough. Ham (deli) delivers 10g of protein per serving, which directly feeds muscle protein synthesis. The best pick depends on whether you need more total calories or more usable protein.

For Keto / Low-Carb

Both Ham (deli) and String Cheese are keto-friendly with under 10g carbs per serving.

Frequently Asked

Which has more protein, Ham (deli) or String Cheese?

Ham (deli) has more protein: 10g vs 7g per serving. That's a difference of 3g.

Which has fewer calories, Ham (deli) or String Cheese?

Ham (deli) has 60 calories per serving vs 80 calories in String Cheese — a difference of 20 calories.

Is Ham (deli) or String Cheese better for keto?

String Cheese is the better keto choice at 1g carbs per serving vs 1.5g carbs in Ham (deli).

Is Ham (deli) or String Cheese better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Ham (deli) gives you more calorie flexibility (20 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, Ham (deli) delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from Ham (deli).

Which Is Better for Your Goal?

🔥 Weight Loss

Ham (deli)

Higher protein-to-calorie density + lower absolute fat = more satiety per calorie.

💪 Muscle Gain

Ham (deli)

Higher absolute protein per serving better supports muscle protein synthesis.

🥑 Low-Carb / Keto

String Cheese

Lower carbohydrate content fits keto and low-carb macros without burning your carb budget.

Both fit most balanced diets. These verdicts reflect macro-only comparisons — taste, satiety, cost, and personal preference also matter.

Find Your Personal Macros

The "right" food depends on your individual macro targets. Calculate yours in 60 seconds:

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Related Comparisons

Other ways Ham (deli) and String Cheese stack up:

Full Ham (deli) guideFull String Cheese guideAll comparisons