There are many different varieties of beef jerky and their nutritional values differ as different brands have different methods of making beef jerky. It’s lean meat that has had some fat removed, cut into strips, dried and seasoned with salt or other flavors. Some brands are using methods that make beef jerky a great portable snack high in energy.
There are several healthy reasons why you should be eating beef jerky. Beef jerky is popular among Americans because it is an awesome low carb snack with a lot of protein. Continue reading for a list of the different beef jerky benefits.
Beef Jerky is a Great Source of Minerals
Beef jerky as any other type of meat is a good supply of iron and zinc in the body. It provides a good dose of these minerals which are essential in boosting the human immune system. While zinc will help your body in the healing of wounds, iron will boost the production of red blood cells.
One portion of beef jerky provides the human body with 1.5 milligrams of iron aiding the body to achieve its daily target of 8 milligrams for men and 18 milligrams for women.
A similar portion of beef jerky has 2 milligrams of zinc helping the human body near its daily target of 2 milligrams for men and 8 milligrams for women.
However, it is important to be cautious about the amount of sodium in the snack as the beef is typically cured with the use of salt. Salt also helps preserve the flavor and prolong the snack’s shelf life.
Beef Jerky is Packed With Protein
Beef jerky benefits the body as a great source of protein. Protein is a crucial component of every cell in the human body and is, therefore, an important part of having a balanced diet.
Protein helps create and rebuild tissues in the body. It is also important in the development of bones, skin, muscle, and many other body chemicals and hormones.
One ounce of beef jerky will provide your body with 9.4 grams of protein. The bodies of men and women require 56 and 46 grams of protein respectively. A full serving of beef jerky has 31.1 grams of protein which provides the body with amino acids so it may function optimally.
Beef Jerky is High in Energy
The next time you want to have a healthy snack, consider getting yourself some beef jerky and a dose of it can fuel you through an intense workout. Athletes and people looking to build their muscle mass need 0.6 to 1 gram of protein a day for every pound of body weight. For instance, an athlete weighing 175 pounds requires between 100 to 150 grams of protein each day.
It is also a great snack to eat after exercising as 40 grams of beef jerky will supply the body with 14 grams of protein. Organic beef jerky was popular among bodybuilders because it gave them a lot of energy that they used up during their everyday exercises.
Beef Jerky is High in Fat
Beef jerky is meat that has had most of its fat removed during the meat drying process leaving the right amount of content that your body needs. Our body uses fats to store energy and cushion the walls of cells in the body from external damage.
No one likes body fat but it remains an important macronutrient for the body meaning it is required in larger doses as compared to micronutrients. To reduce the chances of suffering from cardiovascular disease, the American Heart Association recommends that people limit the amount of saturated fat they consumed to less than 8% of the daily calorie intake.
As long as you are aware of the saturated fats you consume and are in moderation, you’ll find that beef jerky is a healthy snack meant to boost your energy levels.
Beef Jerky is Low in Starch
Scientific research has shown that carbohydrates are the sole macronutrient that the human body does not require in order to function normally. This shows that your body can function without carbs. Beef jerky’s carbohydrate count falls under 5 grams per serving, which consists of 82 calories, therefore, making it a low-carb snack.
The larger portion of the carbohydrate count is made up of fiber and sugar which are 0.4 grams and 2.6 grams of sugar respectively. However, some of the flavorings and sweeteners added to beef jerky add on to its carbohydrate count.
Beef Jerky is a Great Source of Vitamins
Beef jerky serves as an excellent supply of both vitamins. Vitamins perform a variety of body functions such as boosting the central nervous system, the respiratory system and the production of hormones. Beef jerky provides the body with vitamins such as thiamin, niacin, vitamin B-12, and vitamin B-6.
These vitamins work together in the body with minerals to perform these functions as micronutrients for the body but they differ in various ways. While minerals are inorganic, vitamins are organic and are broken down by heat, air, or acid.
It is important to note that beef jerky is the only meat-based snack that does not prompt the body to produce insulin.
It is Highly Convenient
Beef jerky is not only popular for its health benefits, but for its convenience as well. Its lengthy shelf life is another advantage of beef jerky that has Americans coming back for more. It is thin and portable such that one can fit one in their gym bag and eat it before, during, or after working out to assist in the replenishment of energy.
It is also easy to make and some people opt to make beef jerky from home so they can have direct control over the amount of sodium in the food. There are also various kinds of beef jerky with people being at liberty to choose.
Some people choose to have companies deliver their favorite kinds of beef jerky in a beef jerky subscription box to their homes.
Beef Benefits Are Numerous
Beef jerky benefits are plenty and prove that it is not junk food. If you are healthy, eating beef jerky from time to time will not leave you with a health condition. If you have an allergy to meat, then it is wise to avoid beef jerky.
Keep reading our blog for more information on the foods you need to eat and how to keep a healthy balanced diet.
