Beef Jerky Nutrition Facts & Label

There's a lot of misinformation out there about beef jerky nutrition. On one hand, you have "gas station beef jerky" that tastes like a bad decision, and on the other, a vague awareness that healthier beef jerky exists.

Despite knowing beef jerky has nutritional value, how do you integrate it into a balanced diet?  What are the nutritional differences in jerky nutrition between “premium” and “standard” options? What diets are they best for?

We're here to shed a bit of light on the topic. We pride ourselves on making Chomps with real ingredients and high-quality, thoughtfully-sourced protein, so we're going to contrast the nutrition facts of our sticks against beef jerky nutrition facts of "basic" options.

We’ll also show you exactly why and how you can use nutritious beef sticks like Chomps with high-quality protein and real ingredients — or to just generally help you live a more balanced, richer life.

Let's go!

Beef Jerky Nutrition Facts

When examining the beef jerky nutrition label, it's important to understand how this protein snack fits into your overall diet. The nutritional value of beef jerky varies significantly between brands.

Let's break down the key components of beef jerky nutrition to help you make informed choices about this convenient snack.

Beef Jerky Calories

Calorie content is a crucial consideration when selecting any snack, and beef jerky offers an impressive calorie-to-satiety ratio. Standard beef jerky contains approximately 130 calories per 32g serving according to USDA data, while Chomps Original Beef provides just 100 calories for the same weight.

This calorie difference may seem small, but it adds up over time, especially if you're counting calories or managing your weight. The 100 calories in a high-quality beef jerky like Chomps means you're getting more nutritional value without unnecessary energy intake.

For those tracking their daily caloric intake, beef jerky provides substantial satisfaction with relatively few calories compared to many other snack options. This efficiency makes the nutritional value of beef jerky an ideal option for maintaining energy levels between meals without exceeding your daily calorie goals.

Beef Jerky Protein

One of the most significant benefits of beef jerky nutrition is its impressive protein content. Protein is essential for muscle repair, immune function, and overall cellular health, which makes beef jerky nutrition an excellent choice for active individuals.

Among beef jerky nutrition facts, general USDA beef jerky contains approximately 10.63g of protein per 32g serving (130 calories), while Chomps beef sticks offer 10g of protein for 100 calories per stick. This means Chomps actually provides a better protein-to-calorie ratio, give ing you more nutritional bang for your buck.

High-quality beef jerky made from 100% grass-fed and finished beef, like Chomps, provides complete proteins containing all nine essential amino acids your body cannot produce on its own. This makes beef jerky an excellent option for:

• Athletes looking to support muscle recovery

• Busy professionals needing sustained energy

• Anyone following high-protein dietary patterns

• People seeking to increase satiety between meals

With 10+grams of protein, the nutritional value of jerky from Chomps serves as a good source of protein that can help meet daily requirements while offering convenience unmatched by many other protein sources.

Beef Jerky Carbs

For those following low-carb, keto, or Whole30 diets, the carbohydrate content of snacks is a critical consideration. This is where the beef jerky nutrition label can reveal significant differences between products.

Examining beef jerky nutrition facts shows standard beef jerky contains approximately 6.4g of carbohydrates per 32g serving, according to USDA data. In stark contrast, Chomps Original Beef contains 0g of carbs, making it an ideal option for carb-conscious consumers.

This difference in carbohydrate content primarily comes from added sugars and fillers in conventional beef jerky products. Many mass-produced jerky brands add sugar, corn syrup, or other carbohydrate-based fillers to enhance flavor and extend shelf life, which significantly impacts the nutritional value of beef jerky.

For those following ketogenic diets where maintaining ketosis is essential, the zero-carb profile of high-quality beef jerky like Chomps makes it a perfect snack option that won't disrupt your metabolic state. This carb-free quality also makes premium beef jerky an excellent choice for:

• Diabetics monitoring blood sugar levels

• Athletes following cyclical carbohydrate approaches

• Anyone reducing refined carbohydrate intake

• Those pursuing intermittent fasting protocols who need to maintain low insulin levels
  
  

Beef Jerky Fats

Contrary to outdated nutritional advice, healthy fats are essential for optimal body function. The fat content in beef jerky contributes to its satisfying nature and helps with nutrient absorption.

According to standard beef jerky nutrition facts, general jerky contains approximately 7.4g of total fat with 3.4g from saturated fats per 32g serving. By comparison, Chomps contain 6g of fat with 2.5g from saturated fats for the same serving size.

This slightly lower fat content in premium beef jerky like Chomps, particularly from saturated sources, offers a better balance while still providing the satisfaction and mouthfeel that makes jerky such an appealing snack. Additionally, grass-fed beef contains higher levels of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids compared to conventionally raised beef.

The fat content in high-quality beef jerky serves several important functions:

• Provides sustained energy between meals

• Helps absorption of fat-soluble vitamins

• Contributes to hormone production

• Adds flavor and satiety to the snacking experience

For those concerned about fat intake, it's worth noting that the type of fat in 100% grass-fed beef jerky is generally considered healthier than the fats found in many processed snacks.

Beef Jerky Vitamins

While beef jerky is primarily celebrated for its protein content, the beef jerky nutrition label reveals it also provides valuable vitamins and minerals that contribute to overall health. The nutritional value of beef jerky extends beyond macronutrients to include several essential micronutrients.

High-quality beef jerky like Chomps contains beneficial amounts of:

• Vitamin B12: Essential for nerve function and red blood cell formation

• Zinc: Important for immune function and wound healing

• Iron: Critical for oxygen transport in the blood

• Vitamin B6: Necessary for brain development and function

Chomps provides approximately 2% of your daily calcium needs per stick and 4% of your daily iron requirements. These minerals support bone health, enzyme activity, and help your red blood cells carry oxygen more efficiently throughout your body.

Unlike many conventional jerky products, premium options like Chomps achieve these nutritional benefits without excessive sodium. While regular beef jerky typically contains around 517mg of sodium per serving, Chomps maintains a lower sodium content of 380mg to make it a smarter choice for those monitoring their sodium intake.

The Nasty Stuff You Need to Watch Out For

Soy (MSG) and other artificial preservatives

Most beef jerky nutrition labels have MSG from soy protein and other preservatives to make them have an abnormally long shelf life and "taste" better. Avoid this when you can!

GMOs

Most major beef sticks profit from industrial farming that is bad for the environment and from cows who are fed with GMOs. One of the beef jerky nutrition facts about Chomps you should know is that we only use natural, grass-fed beef to make our beef sticks.

Dairy

The same principles apply here. There's no reason for any dairy flavor enhancers or ingredients in your jerky. Keep it simple, people.

Nitrates/Nitrites

Nitrites/nitrates are also used in preservation and coloring. While there isn't a definitive answer for whether or not they're good for you yet, why not avoid that problem by being all-natural? That's a risk you don't need to take.

Fillers, gluten, or binders

Fillers and gluten can help with texture and how the meat binds to itself, but it's not necessary and only worsens the nutritional value of the beef. Another one of the beef jerky nutrition facts at Chomps is that we don't use any added fillers or binders!

The Healthiest Jerky is Always the Most Natural

We live by this at Chomps. In the end, the closer the nutritional value of the beef jerky you eat is to its essential ingredients — namely dried beef, herbs, and spices, the better. Meat doesn't need much else besides that, and beef jerky is no exception. 

Keep it natural. Leave out the preservatives. Leave out the extra sodium. Leave out anything that isn't natural.

In other words, fewer ingredients is the way to go!

To show just how out of hand the chemicals and preservatives in gas station jerky can get, here’s a comparison between the nutrition label of one of the nation’s top-selling brands and what Chomps are made of:

The difference is crazy, right? 

We source only 100% Grass-Fed AND Grass-Finished beef that is also 100% Non-GMO Project Verified. The animals are pasture-raised, free-range, never sent to feedlots, never given antibiotics or hormones. 

This is the way we believe beef sticks should be made!

Beef Jerky vs. Beef stick

You may be wondering why we're comparing beef sticks to beef jerky nutrition facts. Well, both options are delicious, and for most intents and purposes they fill a similar role. They're basically the same ingredients repackaged.

What we love about sticks are the convenient serving sizes. Each of our Chomps sticks are 100 calories or less, so you know exactly what you're getting and don't have to second guess your calories or be tempted to eat more than you need to.

Conclusion

As long as you stick to grass-fed, high quality ingredients, natural beef jerky and beef sticks you'll just be fine.

From Smoky BBQ Beef to Salt & Pepper Venison, remember to give Chomps a shot online or at your nearest retailer. You won't regret it!

We never sacrifice the quality of our beef for costs, and we will always use high quality, thoughtfully-sourced ingredients.

See what Chomps is all about.

Quick FAQs on Beef Jerky Nutrition

Is beef jerky good for your wellness journey?

It can be when it's nutritious beef jerky like Chomps! Since you get a good amount of protein per calorie, our beef sticks are a great snack to have around the house. Eat one stick and you’ll be set until your next meal!

Is beef jerky keto-friendy?

Yes! Beef jerky and beef sticks are almost all low-carb! In fact, Chomps original beef stick has 0g of carbs. How about that for a keto-friendly snack. You’ll have no problem hitting ketosis if you stock these around the house.

On keto or thinking about trying it out? Check out these 12 completely carb-free meals.

Is beef jerky Whole30 approved?

Yes, but only a few brands — including Chomps! We were actually the first beef jerky and stick brand to be officially recognized by Whole30. One of the keys to success with Whole30 is to make eating healthy as accessible as possible, and having grass-fed beef jerky around is a good call. Since they are low-carb and don't have any sugars, you'll be all set. Just remember to check your beef jerky nutrition labels for the bad stuff like dairy or soy!

Is beef jerky a good snack for diabetics?

Yes, assuming there aren't any additives, extra sugars, or nightshades. That's why we specifically formulated a variety of our Italian Beef and Beef & Sea Salt flavors to be both diabetic and AIP-friendly.