Jerky’s reputation has suffered in the last couple of years, and it has gone from being seen as a quality snack to being seen as something unhealthy. It can be a little confusing to decipher the truth in both of these opinions, but at the end of the day, beef jerky can be healthy, and it can be unhealthy.

Is Beef Jerky Healthy?

Like anything, there is low-quality beef jerky available, but the right brand of jerky can be healthy for you. The quality of beef jerky can be seen in the ingredients. Ultimately, beef jerky isn’t anything more than dried and preserved meat, but because it's so simple, the quality of all the ingredients matters. Beef jerky should be made with top-quality meat, natural preservatives such as salt, molasses, and a little bit of sugar, and be made in small, controlled batches.

Beef jerky is good for you because it can provide a quality serving of protein that helps keep you full and satisfied throughout the day without raising insulin levels. It can fit into a variety of diets, including diabetic diets, paleo diets, and low carb diets. This snack is incredibly portable and shelf-stable, so it's perfect for stashing in your cabinets at home, desk at work, or inside your gym bag.

In conclusion, although beef jerky has gotten a bad rep in the last few years, it can be a healthy snack. When you look for beef jerky, look for jerky that has minimal ingredients with a clean protein, no additives, and natural preservatives. Your jerky should be free of MSG, excessive salt and sugar, and nitrates.