The Benefits of Vegan Jerky: A Healthier Alternative to Traditional Je (2024)

FAQs

What are the benefits of vegan jerky? ›

Low in fat and calories and a great source of B vitamins, minerals and bioactive plant compounds. An excellent addition to every diet! Primal is the pioneer offering of a Vegan Jerky made from non-GMO certified Shiitake Mushrooms!

Beef jerky is an easy, on-the-go snack that packs high protein, zinc, and iron concentrations. Those nutrients are essential for overall health. Consuming beef jerky in moderation is key since processed and red meats can increase the risk of health complications.

In short, though beef jerky is a healthy snack, its best consumed in moderation. Most of your diet should come from whole, unprocessed foods. Though beef jerky is healthy, avoid eating too much of it, as it's high in sodium and may come with the same health risks that are linked to eating processed meats.

One of the most significant benefits of vegan jerky is its nutritional profile. Compared to traditional jerky, which is high in calories and fat, vegan jerky is typically lower in calories and fat. This is because it's made from plant-based ingredients that are naturally low in fat and calories, such as soy or seitan.

The American Cancer Society recommends limiting your intake of red and processed meats like beef jerky. That's because the World Health Organization has concluded that eating 50 grams of processed meat every day (about 2 to 3 large pieces of jerky) increases your risk for colon cancer by 18%.

Beef jerky is the ultimate survival food because it's nutrient dense, lightweight, portable, easy to store, and lasts a long time. It is an excellent addition to any survival kit or emergency food kit.

Eating too much beef jerky can indeed cause constipation. Although pure beef jerky is high in protein, it's low in fiber. And fiber promotes intestinal health by delaying digestion. So if you eat too much beef jerky, you can get constipated from the lack of fiber.

Warning: Jerky cure is toxic at high levels. It's imperative that usage instructions are closely followed. As an example, the jerky cures in this guide recommend a teaspoon for five pounds of meat. To prevent potential confusion, red food coloring is added to curing salt to give it an identifiable pink color.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Meat and Poultry Hotline's current recommendation for making jerky safely is to heat meat to 160°F and poultry to 165°F before the dehydrating process. This step assures that any bacteria present will be destroyed by wet heat.

Beef jerky on the other hand dates back to the ancient Incans who made a dried meat snack called ch'arki. Learn more about the History of Beef Jerky. From a nutritional perspective, both beef jerky and bacon are high in protein. Beef jerky is slightly healthier than bacon which is high in fat and sodium.

Is jerky OK for weight loss? ›

Packed with protein, jerky offers a satisfying and filling option that can help control hunger and cravings, making it a great addition to any weight loss plan. Moreover, jerky is often low in fat and carbohydrates, making it a suitable choice for those who are watching their calorie intake.

Beyond Meat's plant-based meats can be a better choice than animal protein equivalents because they have less saturated fat, and no cholesterol, added hormones, or antibiotics.

Mushroom, watermelon, coconut, banana and soybean are all common fruits and vegetables used to make plant-based jerky. Some brands even use jackfruit, eggplant and other meaty fruits and vegetables to mimic the texture of beef, pork, chicken or turkey.

Beyond Meat's plant-based meats can be a better choice than animal protein equivalents because they have less saturated fat, and no cholesterol, added hormones, or antibiotics.

Beyond Meat Jerky packs 10g of protein derived from peas and mung beans, and is made from simple plant-based ingredients without GMOs, soy gluten or cholesterol.

Whole foods such as nuts and seeds, fruit and vegetables, legumes, and grains are vegan and nourishing, but when you get into some processed items like meaty plant-based burgers, chips, packaged baked goods, and frozen appetizers, you fall off the wholesome wagon.