Is Jerky Keto?

Last updated on August 27th, 2022 at 01:38 pm

What’s the perfect snack for when you are camping, hiking, running errands, on-the-go, or even just at home? Jerky, of course! 

Jerky is meat that has been cut into strips and then dried or smoked. It is made with all kinds of meat, the most popular being beef. Jerky snacks are great because they come packaged and ready to eat. 

It stays good without refrigeration and can be taken along with you anywhere for a quick and healthy snack. Yes, jerky is healthy to eat. 

This brings us to our question, if you are on a keto diet, can you have jerky?

You can eat jerky if you are on a keto diet as long as you are careful not to eat the sweetened varieties. Jerky is a great keto snack since it is high in protein and low in carbs. 

Keto is basically a low carb diet where you get calories from protein and fat instead of carbs. If you are on a keto diet, make sure to choose the right kind of jerky for your snack. 

Many brands have high sugar and carb counts in the dried meat which someone on a keto diet should stay away from. As long as you stick to jerky that is carb- and sugar-free then it is fine to eat it on your keto journey. 

What Kind Of Beef Jerky Can You Have On Keto?

So, you can eat jerky on a keto diet. For those of you who love beef jerky you can’t wait to grab a bag and dig in. 

But before you do, it’s important to know what kind of jerky you can have.

Sugar-free jerky is the way to go for those on keto and jerky without any artificial preservatives or artificial flavors is the best choice. There are many kinds of jerky that are good to eat on a keto diet, just make sure they aren’t full of carbs or sugar. 

Keto is a great diet if you’re trying to lose weight. If you want some beef jerky for a snack while on keto there are several kinds to choose from. 

Keep in mind that they should be low carb and sugar-free to help you stay on your diet. You can have your pick from many jerkys that are healthy for your keto diet and delicious. 

Here are a few of the best options:

1. CATTANEO BROS. CHIPOTLE BEEF JERKY
2. PEOPLE’S CHOICE OLD FASHIONED ORIGINAL BEEF JERKY
3. BROOKLYN BILTONG ORIGINAL FLAVORED GRASS-FED BILTONG
4. STYRVE ORIGINAL BEEF BILTONG
5. RIGHTEOUS FELON ANCHO VILLA BEEF BILTONG

Is Jerky High In Carbs?

Cutting carbs out of your diet can be hard to do. I already mentioned that beef jerky can be eaten on a keto diet but is it high in carbs?

Most jerky is not high in carbs. Most of the dried meat is actually low in carbs and fat and high in protein making it great for a keto diet.

An article on whether or not jerky is keto-friendly states that, “Beef jerky can be keto as long as it has 0g carbohydrates and 0g sugar. Not all beef jerky is keto. It is important that you read the ingredient list and nutrition label to ensure that there are no carbohydrates or sugars.” 

Jerky isn’t high in carbs but if you are on keto you should choose one that is low in carbs and sugar free if possible. Some of the added flavors can have sugar in them so be sure and watch the labels.

Is Eating Beef Jerky Bad For You?

We’ve talked alot about beef jerky and how someone on a keto diet can eat some if it doesn’t have any carbs or sugar in it. But, can jerky be bad for you?

Beef jerky is a healthy snack but one that should be eaten in moderation. Too much jerky can affect you because most jerky is high in sodium which is linked to some health risks.

Jerky is made from lean cuts of beef meaning it is high in protein and low in carbs and fats. On keto, you may need to add fats to your diet along with the jerky. 

Jerky is good for you to eat occasionally but can be bad when you consume too much of it. This can result in health issues from too much sodium and the highly processed food.

Is Beef Jerky Good For Weight Loss?

Trying to lose weight on a keto diet and wondering how you can still eat jerky? Is jerky really good for weight loss?

Since jerky is high in protein it is good to eat if you are trying to lose weight. Eating protein is important for weight loss because it digests slower than carbs and helps you feel fuller for longer. 

Keto has you eat a lot of protein and fats and virtually no carbohydrates. Jerky contains a lot of protein so it is a good snack choice. 

If you are trying to lose weight, it is good to eat protein because your body can’t digest it as fast as carbs meaning you will feel full for longer. Also, insulin signals the body to store fat and Jerky also doesn’t produce insulin.

Is There Sugar-Free Beef Jerky?

If cutting back on sugar is important to you, you will want to avoid eating any food with sugar in it. So, is there a sugar-free beef jerky?

There is sugar-free beef jerky so you can cut back on sugar and still enjoy a dried meat snack. Jack Link’s Zero Sugar Beef Jerky is a great choice for a sugar-free jerky.

Jack Link’s ZERO SUGAR ORIGINAL BEEF JERKY is a great choice for a sugar-free drive meat snack. It is tasty but will also help you stay on track. There are many other brands that also sell this type of jerky so you have a variety of choices when it comes to cutting back on your sugar intake. 

You can now enjoy the taste of jerky without ruining your diet.

Final Thoughts

Jerky is a keto-friendly food. It is high in protein and low in carbs and fats and is a healthy snack for this particular diet. 

The best kind of jerky to eat on a keto diet is some that is low carb and sugar free. Remember to eat it in moderation to avoid any health issues from too much salt or the highly processed beef jerky. 

There are a variety of dried meats to choose from, some even made with meat other than beef. Even if you are on a keto diet, you can still enjoy the tasty snack if you are careful to get a low carb or sugar-free jerky.