What’s Not So Healthy About Meat Snacks
Meat snacks often contain a lot of sodium and other ingredients that can have negative health consequences. Here’s what you should consider before adding them to your cart.
Meat Snacks Can Be Ultra-Processed Foods
“What most people don’t realize is that these products fall into the category of ultra-processed processed meats, meaning they’ve been significantly altered with salt, preservatives, industrial ingredients, and sometimes sugars,” says Burgess.
Jerkies made from whole-muscle meat that are seasoned simply with salt and spices and air-dried are considered processed but not ultra-processed. But packaged meat sticks and flavored jerky products with longer ingredient lists are more likely to qualify as ultra-processed.
Burgess says it can be easy to overeat when you are munching on ultra-processed meat snacks because they are designed to be highly appealing.
They Can Be High in Sodium
Sodium is another consideration, with a single 10 g serving of beef jerky or a regular Slim Jim containing about 170 to 180 milligrams (mg) of sodium. “One serving delivers a meaningful portion of the 2,300 milligram daily limit [of sodium] in just a few bites, and because jerky is so easy to eat, sodium adds up quickly,” says Burgess. Consuming excessive amounts of sodium can lead to fluid retention and swelling, impact kidney function, and result in high blood pressure.
Many Contain Saturated Fat
Some Have Concerning Preservatives
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