No Sugar Beef Jerky Whole Foods

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Gone are the days of beef jerky being a gas station snack. Thanks to the increased popularity of jerky as a protein-packed snack staple with the Paleo and Whole30 diets, you can now find excellent jerky products, including organic, grass-fed options, at various stores and online retailers. The best jerky are made from high-quality ingredients and have a balanced amount of sodium, sugar, and protein per serving size.

"When choosing jerky—just like with any animal protein—quality is key," says Lauren Bloch, MS, RD. "Many jerky brands can contain harmful preservatives like nitrates as well as added sugar and excess sodium. Look for nitrate-free options with recognizable ingredients, ideally with low sugar and sodium."

When shopping for jerky, make sure to pay attention to the protein used. You'll want to make sure that it's high-quality and not packed with preservatives. We researched a variety of options, considering nutrition, ingredients, serving size, and price to help you find the right jerky for your needs.

Here are the best beef jerky, according to a dietitian.

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For an excellent overall jerky pick, try The New Primal's tasty snacks. The brand uses 100 percent grass-fed beef that's raised without added hormones and antibiotics. The "100 percent" is important here because many beef products will say "grass-fed", but the cattle may have been grain-finished. Grain-finished means that in the last four to six months of their lives, cattle are led back to feedlots and fed with grain, potato hulls, sugar beets, hay, or forage. Grass-fed beef is an alternative method of preparing beef—close to nutrient content but a little bit lower in overall fat, protein, and cholesterol with increased moisture.

One package of The New Primal's Sea Salt & Pepper jerky has 220 milligrams of sodium and 22 grams of protein, and a serving size is 1 oz (half of the bag). It's also certified gluten-free and paleo. If you crave a sweeter jerky, The New Primal makes a variety of flavors, including Honey & Cayenne.

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Jerky doesn't automatically mean meat from a mammal. There are now a variety of other jerky options on the market, including vegetables and fish. These options are tasty snacks for pescatarians and vegetarians but tend to be high in sodium. EPIC's smoked salmon snack strip is one of the only salmon options out there that contain less than 300 milligrams of sodium per serving. Plus, these salmon strips contain whole food ingredients that you can pronounce such as wild salmon, coconut oil, and maple sugar.

Epic Smoked Salmon Strips are a Paleo-friendly jerky option that is perfect for anyone looking to cut down their red meat consumption or for a nutritious, salty, and protein-packed snack. The Certified Gluten-Free strips contain 7 grams of protein per serving and are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are responsible for brain development and function.

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If you're not a fan of red meat but want a protein-packed jerky snack, turkey is an excellent option. Chomps uses free-range, antibiotic-free turkey from a family-owned farm in Minnesota to make delicious protein snacks without any junk or filler. The turkey meat sticks are Whole30 Approved, meaning that there are no added sugars and the snacks are free of gluten, soy, grains, and dairy.

Each Original turkey stick contains 10 grams of protein, 290 milligrams of sodium, and zero grams of sugar. This Non-GMO Project Verified snack is a great option for anyone on the go, especially those who prefer a red meat alternative. Plus, if long ingredient lists and questionable fillers have you stressed, you won't have to worry, as Chomps contain top-quality, easy-to-read ingredients that you can identify.

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High-quality kosher jerky can be hard to find. If you're looking for a protein-packed jerky snack, The Grub Company makes kosher biltong which is slightly different from jerky. Originating from South Africa, biltong is a dried, spiced steak that is sliced into pieces. Because it doesn't undergo the same process as typical jerky, it can be softer and contain slightly more moisture than jerky. The meat-based snack also doesn't store as long as regular jerky, and if you haven't finished the package within 10 minutes (it's so delicious, so this may be a challenge), The Grub Company recommends resealing and consuming the remainder within 2 to 3 days. It can also be stored in the refrigerator.

The original Kosher biltong is made using premium grass-fed beef and is free of dairy, egg, gluten, fish, soy, and nuts. It's free of MSG, preservatives, artificial ingredients, and nitrates. Each 1-ounce serving contains 80 calories, 12 grams of protein, 200 milligrams of sodium, and less than 1 gram of sugar.

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Salty and sweet teriyaki-flavored jerky is a fan favorite when it comes to jerky flavors. While teriyaki jerkies are delicious, they may not always be the most nutritious options, as they can be loaded with added sugars. The Country Archer uses organic cane sugar and pineapple juice to sweeten their 100% grass-fed jerky. Unlike many flavored jerky products out there, this product has only 8 grams of sugar. Each serving also boasts 10 grams of protein, 80 calories, and 6% of the recommended daily intake of iron.

The Country Archer does not use added preservatives and is nitrite and gluten free. It's perfect for those looking for a sweet and savory jerky made in small batches with real ingredients.

Final Verdict

For a top-quality jerky made from grass-fed meat and superior ingredients, choose The New Primal (view at Amazon).

What to Look for in Jerky

Ingredient Quality:

Many jerky products use low-quality meats and use salt or sugar to increase palatability and taste. Selecting a higher-quality jerky results in a more nutritious, better-tasting snack.

Serving Size:

Note that there are usually a few servings in one small bag of jerky. For this reason, it's easy to eat a full day's worth of salt in one sitting. Consider your sodium, calorie, and protein needs when choosing how many servings are appropriate for you.

Sodium:

Aim for jerky that has less than 300 milligrams of sodium per serving. Some jerky can have over 600 milligrams per serving, which is about a quarter of the recommended daily intake for sodium in a few pieces of meat.

Sugar:

In addition to sodium levels, it's essential to consider how much sugar is in your jerky. Sugar is used in tandem with salt to create savory, crave-able snacks that you'll go back to time and again. Always take a look at the ingredient list to see what kind of sweetener is used.

If you're watching your blood glucose, then you may want to choose a jerky that uses artificial sweeteners. Also, review the nutrition facts, and select a product with less than 5 grams of sugar per serving.

Protein:

Choose a jerky that is packed with high-quality protein. Vegan jerky is naturally low in protein; however, turkey, fish, or beef jerky is usually high in protein. Depending on the serving size, most meat-based jerky will have at least 10 grams of protein per serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the best meat for jerky?

  Jerky is available in a variety of types of meats, such as beef, pork, and lamb. The type of meat you choose depends on your preference, but in general, avoid products that use low-quality meats as they typically use salt or sugar to increase palatability and taste.

• Why do some people say beef jerky is bad for you?

  Although beef jerky is generally a high protein snack, it does contain a large amount of sodium. One serving of beef jerky can account for about 15 to 25 percent of the recommended daily value of sodium, which is 2,300 milligrams for adults.
  

What Experts Say

"Jerky makes for a great afternoon snack, and I often recommend it to clients as an option on days when they have a longer window in between meals and want something especially filling, savory, and satisfying. When choosing jerky—just like with any animal protein—quality is key. Many jerky brands can contain harmful preservatives like nitrates as well as added sugar and excess sodium. Look for nitrate-free options with recognizable ingredients, ideally with low sugar and sodium." —Lauren Bloch, MS, RD

Why Trust Verywell Fit?

A personal note on my recommendations written above. I believe the jerky products in the round-up are made by trusted brands that I would feel comfortable recommending to my clients, friends, and family. I have tried all of the jerky products and frequently recommend them as a protein-packed snack.—Eliza Savage, MS, RD, CDN

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Source: https://www.verywellfit.com/best-beef-jerky-4165440

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