Do you want to follow the popular Keto diet but find it hard to find the right snacks?
Did you know that you can eat jerky on the Keto diet?
Sticking to the strict guidelines of the Keto lifestyle can be challenging. Jerky is a tasty and convenient healthy snack that fits perfectly into this lifestyle. It’s one of the best keto snacks out there.
So if you’re looking for an easy way to stick to your new eating plan, keep reading…
This article will equip you with the information you need about eating jerky on the Keto diet.
Whether you are starting out or already in the middle of your journey toward healthy living. Let us show you why adding jerky could be what you need to make sure that nothing stops your progress.
Ready? Let’s dive right in!
Can You Eat Jerky On The Keto Diet?
Yes, you can eat jerky on the ketogenic diet.
Jerky is a great option as it contains zero sugar and is full of protein.
There are plenty of keto-friendly snacks out there. But jerky stands out as one of the best options due to its delicious flavor and convenience.
Jerky is a great way to get your daily dose of healthy fats while also providing lean protein. Due to its lack of carbohydrates and sugars, jerky won’t cause blood glucose spikes.
Not only does it taste good, but it’s easy to transport, so it makes a great travel snack or pre-workout fuel.
If you haven’t heard or know much about the Ketogenic (keto) diet, don’t stress, as we’ll uncover the basics.
What Is The Keto Diet?
The keto diet is a high-fat, low-carb diet. It has been popular for its weight loss and health benefits.
It’s based on reducing carbohydrates and increasing fat intake.
The goal of the diet is to get your body into a state of ketosis.
Ketosis is when your body is burning stored fat for energy instead of glucose (sugar).
Many people find success with this type of lifestyle because it can help them reach their health goals in a sustainable way.
When following the keto lifestyle, you should focus on eating healthy sources of fats. This includes olive oil, nuts, and avocados. You’ll want to avoid processed foods like white bread or sweets.
You’ll also want to limit your carbohydrate intake. This includes grains, legumes, starchy vegetables, sugary fruits, or dairy products.
Additionally, there are many delicious snacks available considered “keto-friendly,” such as:
- Keto Beef Jerky
- Zero Carb Nuts
- High Fat Cheese Snacks
These snacks provide great nutrition without worrying about your net carbs or sugars.
Following the keto diet doesn’t have to be boring. There are plenty of delicious options available if you take the time to explore all your options.
But jerky is one of the best out there…
What Is Jerky?
Jerky is a type of dried meat enjoyed as a snack or with meals.
It’s made from lean cuts of beef, turkey, chicken, and even fish.
Jerky brands vary in ingredients and flavorings. But all contain some combination of sea salt and natural spices like black pepper and cumin.
Keto dieters may find jerky to be an ideal snack because it contains high amounts of fat, protein, and a few carbohydrates.
It also provides the body with essential vitamins and minerals and is low in saturated fat. These fats are linked to heart disease when consumed in excess.
The good fats found in jerky also provide energy for your workouts. It also helps to keep you feeling full longer throughout the day.
Jerky makes for an excellent healthy snacking option on the keto diet. Due to its balanced blend of nutrients without added sugars or unhealthy processed ingredients.
With a wide variety of flavors available today, there are plenty of options while still delivering quality nutrition.
What Are The Benefits Of Eating Jerky On The Keto Diet?
Eating jerky while on the Keto diet can offer many potential benefits. We will only discuss the benefits that relate to the Keto lifestyle, which include:
- Improved satiety
- Enhanced performance
- Increased fat loss
- Convenient snack
Improved Satiety
Jerky is an excellent source of protein, providing up to 18g per serving. This helps to keep you feeling full for longer.
There are only a few other snacks that offer such a high amount of protein. This is an excellent snack who struggle with hunger cravings throughout the day.
Enhanced Performance
Jerky provides important amino acids that are essential for your muscles. Especially for athletes and gym-goers who are trying to build or maintain muscle mass.
Thus eating jerky as part of your regular intake can help to improve performance. It aids recovery, boosts endurance levels, and sparks higher energy levels during workouts.
Increased Fat Loss
Consuming jerky can also have positive implications on your fat-burning processes. This is because protein increases your thermogenesis more than carbs or fats. Thermogenesis is your body’s ability to burn calories even at rest.
Thus incorporating lean cuts of beef or turkey into your diet can help muscle growth, as well as boost your ability to lose weight faster.
Convenient Snack
Jerky is also an easy and portable way to keep up with your Keto goal while on the go. While other snacks need careful prepping and portion calculation. Packaged jerky often comes with all the information you need already included.
This makes it much easier to make sure you’re not exceeding your carb or calorie limits.
Choosing The Right Type Of Jerky
There are many types of jerky. From traditional beef to more exotic varieties such as turkey or venison.
Knowing what type of jerky to eat can be tricky, but here are some key points:
- Traditional beef jerky provides an excellent source of protein and no carbs.
- It’s important to pay attention to added ingredients and preservatives. These can add unnecessary amounts of sugar and other non-ketogenic ingredients.
- If you’re looking for an all-natural option, making your own jerky at home is easy with the right equipment and recipes.
- When shopping for pre-made options, look for labels that say “low carb,” “no sugar added,” or “keto-friendly.”
- Make sure that there isn’t too much sodium content per serving size. This can counteract the benefits gained from eating a ketogenic diet.
- Turkey, salmon, tuna, and venison jerkies tend to be higher in fat. This helps promote ketosis and provides plenty of protein without the extra carbohydrate intake.
Whether you decide to make your own or buy pre-made products…
Jerky is a delicious way to get your daily dose of proteins on a ketogenic diet.
What Is The Nutritional Value Of Jerky?
Jerky typically contains around 10-35% protein by weight. This makes it one of the richest sources of protein available to consumers.
Jerky contains dietary fiber and essential vitamins and minerals, including iron and zinc.
Jerky tends to be low in total fat and saturated fat. This is due to its method of preparation, where excess fats are removed.
Jerky made from grass-fed beef contains higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids than non-grass-fed beef.
Most types of jerky are also very low in carbohydrates, sugars, and sodium. This makes them an ideal snack for people looking to reduce or control their blood sugar levels.
The number of calories depends on the type and preparation method used. But this can range from 70-210 calories per 28-gram serving.
In a 28 gram serving of jerky, it contains micronutrients such as:
- Iron
- Zinc
- Magnesium
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin E
- Thiamin
- B-vitamins
These micronutrients can benefit your healthy:
- Improving immunity
- Reducing oxidative stress
- Enhancing energy production
Jerky has many nutritional benefits due to both its macronutrient and micronutrient profiles.
But it’s essential that you know what to look for in choosing a high-quality jerky. This will make sure that you’re getting the most out of this tasty snack.
How To Choose A High-Quality Keto-Friendly Jerky Snack
Choosing a high-quality keto-friendly jerky snack can be tricky. There are several factors you should consider when selecting the right one for your diet.
Here’s how to choose:
- Check the label: Look for snacks with no added sugar and moderate proteins (less than 10g per serving). Also, make sure there are simple natural ingredients listed on the label that you recognize.
- Stay in ketosis: Remember, staying in a state of ketosis is key to success on the Keto Diet. Make sure any jerky snacks you consume contain fewer than 5 grams of carbohydrates. Plus, at least 8-10 grams of protein per serving.
- Healthy fats: Choose jerky snacks made from grass-fed animals if possible. They tend to have higher levels of beneficial fatty acids like omega 3’s. These fatty acids promote heart health and better brain functioning.
Make sure to look for healthy, high-quality options that meet these criteria.
Final Considerations
Let’s take a look at some final considerations to keep in mind:
- Choose lean cuts of meat and opt for sugar-free beef jerky products if possible.
- If you’re feeling particularly adventurous or want to save some money. Try your hand at making homemade beef jerky using a food dehydrator.
- Ensure that any jerky snack fits into your metabolic state. This will help maintain healthy blood sugar levels throughout the day.
- Moderation is always important. Eating too much of any kind of food isn’t recommended. Even more when following a strict diet such as the Ketogenic Diet. Enjoy in small amounts – after all, every little bit counts!
Conclusion
If you must ask again, yes, you can eat jerky on the keto diet…
It’s a great source of protein and healthy fats that won’t kick you out of ketosis. Plus, it’s delicious!
But there are some important things to consider when choosing your jerky snack.
You want to make sure it has minimal carbs, no added sugar, and high-quality ingredients.
This will ensure that your keto-friendly jerky snack fits within your dietary restrictions.
Eating jerky on the keto diet isn’t just allowed. It can actually be beneficial for those looking for a convenient and tasty snack option.
So go ahead and enjoy that savory treat guilt-free!