Is Beef Jerky Good for You?
Is Beef Jerky Good for You?
Beef jerky is a popular and portable snack.
It gets its name from the Quechua word "ch'arki," which means "dried, salted meat."
Beef jerky is made from lean cuts of beef that have been marinated in a variety of sauces, spices, and other ingredients. It is then processed through various methods such as curing, smoking, and drying before being packaged for sale.
Because jerky is a snack food, many people wonder whether it is healthy or unhealthy.
This article examines whether beef jerky is healthy.
Nutrition and potential benefits
Generally speaking, beef jerky is a healthy and nutritious snack.
One ounce (28 grams) of beef jerky contains the following nutrients
Calories: 116
Protein: 9.4 grams
Fat: 7.3 grams
Carbs: 3.1 grams
Fiber: 0.5 grams
Zinc: 21% of the Daily Value (DV)
Vitamin B12: 12 % of the DV
Phosphorus: 9% of the DV
Folate: 9% of the DV
Iron: 8% of the DV
Copper: 7% of the DV
Choline: 6% of the DV
Selenium: 5% of the DV
It also contains traces of manganese, molybdenum, and pantothenic acid.
It has a healthier nutritional composition than many other snack foods and is suitable for various diets, including low-carb and paleo diets, due to its high protein and low carb content.
It's also high in minerals like zinc and iron, which are essential for a variety of functions like immune and energy support (3Trusted Source, 4Trusted Source).
Furthermore, beef jerky has a long shelf life and is very portable, making it an excellent choice for travel, backpacking, and other situations where you have limited access to fresh food and require a protein boost.
Downsides of beef jerky
Although beef jerky is a healthy snack, it should be eaten in moderation.
It contains a lot of sodium, with a 1-ounce (28-gram) serving to provide roughly 22% of your daily sodium allowance of 2,300 mg.
Excess sodium consumption can harm your health in a variety of ways, including heart health, blood pressure, and stroke risk.
This makes it unsuitable for some diets that limit sodium intake.
Beef jerky is also highly processed. Numerous studies have found a link between diets high in processed and cured red meats, such as beef jerky, and an increased risk of cancers, including gastrointestinal cancer.
Furthermore, a recent study discovered that dried, cured meats such as beef jerky could be contaminated with toxic substances known as mycotoxins, which are produced by fungi that grow on meat. Mycotoxins have been linked to cancer in studies (9Trusted Source).
To summarise, while beef jerky is a healthy snack, it should be consumed in moderation. The majority of your diet should consist of whole, unprocessed foods.
Beef Jerky Near you
If you're looking for the best beef jerky near you, then you've come to the right place. Here at Beef Jerky Finder, we specialize in helping people find the best beef jerky in their area. We have a wide variety of beef jerky brands and flavors to choose from, so you're sure to find something that you'll love.
We know how important it is to find the perfect beef jerky, so we only list the very best options on our site. We also provide reviews and ratings to help you make the best decision possible.
Comments
Post a Comment