Is beef jerky keto? This is a question that a lot of people are asking lately. With the ketogenic diet becoming more and more popular, people are looking for keto-friendly snacks to help them stay on track. Beef jerky is a great snack option, but it’s important to know what to look for when you’re shopping for keto beef jerky. In this blog post, we will teach you how to make homemade beef jerky and share some of our favorite brands of keto-friendly jerky. What is the keto diet?
What Is The Ketogenic Diet?
The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that has been shown to help people lose weight and improve their overall health. When you follow the keto diet, your body enters a state of ketosis, which means that it starts burning fat for energy instead of glucose. This can lead to weight loss, increased energy levels, and improved mental clarity. Keto dieters typically eat a diet that is high in fat and low in carbohydrates, which forces the body to burn fat for energy.
The Keto diet is similar to a low-carb diet , but it is even more restrictive in terms of the types of foods that you can eat. While a low-carb diet might allow you to eat some starchy vegetables and fruits, the keto diet requires that you limit your carbohydrate intake to a very small amount. This means that you will need to find beef jerky options if you want to include this snack in your diet.
Is Beef Jerky Keto?
Beef jerky snacks are easy to travel with and can easily fit in your purse or gym bag and makes a great healthy snack.
So, is beef jerky keto? The answer is yes, but you need to be careful about the ingredients list. Some beef jerks might have added sugars or other carbohydrates that will kick you out of ketosis. Be sure to check the nutrition label and ingredient list before purchasing beef jerky.
What To Look For In Keto Beef Jerky
When you’re shopping for beef jerky, it’s important to look for a few key things.
Keto-Friendly Beef
First, you want to make sure that the beef jerky is made with grass-fed beef. Grass-fed beef is lower in calories and fat than grain-fed beef, and it’s also higher in healthy omega-three fatty acids. Look for lean cuts of beef, like flank steak or eye of round.
No Added Sugar
Second, you want to make sure that there is no added sugar in the beef jerky. Some brands add sugar or other sweeteners to their beef jerky to make it more palatable. However, these added sugars can quickly kick you out of ketosis. Some of the best jerky is zero sugar beef jerky. By having no or little sugar you are in control of your blood sugar levels and will not have any unwanted sugar spikes.
Low in Carbohydrates
When you are on a ketogenic diet, you want to minimize your carbohydrate intake. This means that you should look for beef jerky that is low in carbohydrates. Many beef jerky products are high in carbohydrates because of the added sugars and other ingredients used to enhance the flavor. The best beef jerky for keto is beef jerky that is low carb and does not have any added sugars.
High in Healthy Fats
Another important aspect of beef jerky for keto is that it should be high in healthy fats. Healthy fats are an important part of the ketogenic diet and can help you feel fuller for longer. Many beef jerky products are high in unhealthy fats, so it is important to read the labels carefully. The best beef jerky for keto will be made with healthy fats such as avocado oil or olive oil.
So, be sure to check the ingredient list before purchasing beef jerky. The only ingredients should be beef, spices, and possibly a small amount of salt. The best option for keto-friendly jerky is to make your own homemade jerky. Check out our full keto beef jerky recipe here.
Homemade Keto Beef Jerky Recipe
Making your own beef jerky is a great way to control the ingredients and make sure that you’re getting a keto-friendly product. This recipe uses simple ingredients and a blend of spices to create a delicious beef jerky that’s perfect for snacking on the go.
Ingredients:
- beef (sirloin, flank, or round)
- soy sauce (can be replaced with coconut aminos)
- liquid hickory smoke or mesquite
- garlic or garlic powder
- onion powder
- black pepper
- sea salt
Equipment Needed:
- Large mixing bowl
- Meat Slicer or cutting board and knife
- Large ziplock bags
- Food dehydrator or baking sheets with racks
Homemade Jerky Tips
- When using the food dehydrator make sure to add the beef in a single layer leaving some space.
- Food dehydrators are all different so learn how your machine works and how thick the slices are will determine how long it takes. Some may take 5 hours to 8 hours.
- The beef jerky snacks should be firm and dry but how done you want it is your personal preference.
- If you aren’t up for making beef jerky on your own and looking for something to buy on the go we have a list of our favorite keto beef jerky products.
7 Best Keto Beef Jerky Brands
Beef jerky can make great keto snacks and are an excellent choice for healthy snacks that are full of protein. Be sure to read the nutrition label and make sure it doesn’t have added sugar, brown sugar is a common ingredient in most jerky snacks and will spike your blood sugar levels.
Another great tip for finding beef jerky is to look for brands that have simple ingredients like beef, salt, pepper, and vinegar or lemon juice as a preservative. These are the best beef jerky snacks that will help keep you in ketosis while satisfying your beef jerky craving.
BeefJerky.com
BeefJerky.com is a company that offers a selection of low carb and keto beef jerky. There are 14g of protein, 2g carbs, 2g of sugar and only 95 calories per serving.
Krave Beef Jerky
Krave beef jerky is a great option that can be found in most stores. The beef is grass-fed and the flavors are creative.
Paleovalley Beef Sticks
Paleovalley beef sticks are another good on the go snack. These beef sticks are also grass-fed with no sugar added.
Tillamook Country Smoker Beef Jerky
The Tillamook Beef Jerky has zero carbs, zero sugar with 14 grams of protein.
People’s Choice Beef Jerky
The People’s Choice Beef Jerky is a sugar free, zero carb keto-friendly beef jerky snack. It only has a few simple ingredients making it a great healthy on the go snack.
Mission Meats Beef Sticks
These Mission Meats Beef Sticks are zero sugar, 1 gram carbs and is grass-fed, Paleo and Keto friendly.
Vermont Smoke and Cure Meat Sticks
These Vermont Smoke and Cure Meat Sticks are made from real beef and pork and has no artificial preservatives or nitrates. It has 1g of carbs and 6g of protein per stick.
Frequently Asked Questions
In our homemade keto beef jerky there is 1.2g carbs for 2 pieces.
Beef jerky is best eaten within a week of opening. However, it can last up to a month if stored in an airtight container.
There are approximately 76.2 calories for 2 pieces of our homemade beef jerky.
Yes, beef jerky is good for keto as long as it is grass-fed beef with simple ingredients and no sugar added. You can also make beef jerky at home.
No, Jack Links beef jerky is not the most keto-friendly beef jerky as it contains 6g of sugar per serving and 6g carbs per serving.
Conclusion
Beef jerky is a great snack for people on the keto diet. It is high in protein and fat, and low in carbs. There are a few things to look for when choosing beef jerky. Look for beef jerky that is grass-fed, has simple ingredients, and no sugar added. It’s best to make beef jerky at home or check our list above for best keto beef jerky brands.
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