Hither's a phrase that might sound similar an oxymoron: healthy beef jerky.

Traditionally, gas station jerkies like Slim Jims were direct-up junk nutrient. They cured cheap meat with nitrates and nitrites (classified as "probably carcinogenic to humans" past the International Bureau for Research on Cancer, by the manner) so loaded it with sodium, sugar, and artificial flavors and additives (um, yuck!).

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Those nonetheless exist, but there's a whole new category of good for you beef jerky, fabricated by companies using loftier-quality, grass-fed beef (and also organic chicken, pork and turkey in some cases), which is college in healthy fats similar omega-3s and conjugated linoleic acrid (CLA) than grain-fed and finished beef.

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What is Beef Jerky?

Beef jerky is traditionally fabricated by taking lean cuts of beef and then marinating them with sauces, spices and other additives. The meat is then processed by curing, smoking or drying it.

The new healthier brands of jerky are dehydrating the meat or curing it with natural ingredients like salt and vinegar and skipping unhealthy additives. In many cases, they're fifty-fifty adding boosted nutritious ingredients, like antioxidant-rich spices and coconut oil. (Just yet keep an middle out for backlog sugar.)

Health Benefits of Beef Hasty

Beefiness jerky is a fast, easy, loftier-protein snack that's low in carbs and perfect for after a conditioning or to throw in your travel bag. Beyond its protein punch, hasty tin be a decent, though not great, source of some essential vitamins and minerals, including zinc, atomic number 26, folate and choline, according to the U.Due south. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

What to Look For When Shopping For Hasty

What's the best way to know if the hasty y'all're buying is healthy or not? First, you need to pay attention to the food labels. Look for jerky that has no added nitrates or nitrites—the preservatives that have been linked to sure types of cancer (as mentioned earlier).

It's too a skillful thought to choose meat that is grass-fed and organic, which offers more nutrients and less fillers and antibiotics than conventionally-raised meats. And remember to continue an eye out for sodium levels because most jerkies incorporate lots of salt, which is typically part of the curing procedure.

You lot can also brand your ain at dwelling, or cheque out these five healthy brands worth biting into.

Healthy Beefiness Jerky Brands to Try

  • 1. Lorissa's Kitchen

    (Paradigm: Lorissa's Kitchen)

    Made with 100% grass-fed beefiness and other clean ingredients, Lorissa'due south flavors—similar Korean Barbeque—are super delicious. Lorissa's original Tender Beef Steak Strips contain 9 grams of protein per serving, no preservatives and no added MSG or nitrites. The but downside is the sugar is a little high, so stick to a serving at a time.

  • 2. Laura's Lean Beef

    (Paradigm: Laura's Lean Beefiness)

    Laura's doesn't have as many fancy flavors as others, but information technology'south made with meat that's both grass-fed and certified USDA organic. Information technology's high in protein and depression in sugar. They also don't add artificial ingredients, preservatives, erythorbate, nitrates, nitrites, or MSG. Laura's Original Beef Jerky is gluten-free and has a whopping 11 grams of protein per serving.

  • 3. The New Primal

    (Image: The New Cardinal)

    If Slim Jims were your jam, try The New Primal's meat sticks, similar the Cilantro Lime Turkey Sticks fabricated with free-range turkey (with no added hormones or antibiotics), sea salt, and antioxidant-packed spices, or Habanero Pineapple, fabricated with grass-fed beef. The Cilantro Lime Turkey sticks have 7g of poly peptide and 45 calories per serving. The snacks are certified paleo and gluten-costless, and Whole30-approved with 0 (aye, zero!) grams of saccharide.

  • 4. Wilde

    (Epitome: Wilde)

    Wilde makes jerky-based protein chips with chicken and pork, and minus the potato. Its Himalayan Pink Common salt Chicken Chips, for instance, are made from 100% all-natural chicken breast and null sugar. They're loftier in protein (20 grams per handbag), low-carb and gluten- and grain-gratis.

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  • five. EPIC

    (Epitome: Ballsy)

    If you love cured meat, EPIC makes it all— Sesame Ginger Craven bites, Venison Sea Salt and Pepper snack strips, and Bison Bacon Cranberry bars. Epic combines protein with fruits, nuts, seeds and spices for some succulent flavor profiles. They also make bone broth, animal oils, and more, all of information technology produced with the highest, healthy standards—for both yous and the planet.