Beef Jerky - Good or bad?

joshuaperson
joshuaperson Posts: 50
in Food and Nutrition
I have been trying to incorporate more protein into my diet (recovering from an eating disorder... protein tends to be a slight "fear food"). I generally eat mostly fruits and vegetables, but know I need to have more protein based foods...

ANYWAY... I LOVE beef jerky. How much would you say is TOO much? I could easily eat an entire 3 oz bag in one sitting. Should I feel bad about this? The beef jerky that I eat is from my local farm so it is not loaded with preservatives and chemicals...
Thanks for your feedback!

Replies

  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    IIFYM good!
  • zetodd
    zetodd Posts: 22 Member
    Sodium nitrate has been deemed bad. Supposedly not to have more than 3 oz of meat containing it.
    If you can get the jerky without it (usually has celery something or other) don't see any harm, except to your pocketbook.

    Since it's local you can ask what they put in it. I'm sure they are probably required to dump something in it.
  • WeatherGirl8
    WeatherGirl8 Posts: 91 Member
    Pssst. You bake. You have tasted the goodness of carbs. Do not fear carbs. They are delicious and nutritious and you need them to survive. Whole grains especially. You've got this!
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Sodium nitrate has been deemed bad. Supposedly not to have more than 3 oz of meat containing it.
    If you can get the jerky without it (usually has celery something or other) don't see any harm, except to your pocketbook.

    Since it's local you can ask what they put in it. I'm sure they are probably required to dump something in it.

    They use celery juice...which is sodium nitrate. The whole nitrate fear mongering is hugely overblown. Most foods that substitute celery juice for added sodium nitrate actually have more sodium nitrate than they otherwise would....
  • Go_Mizzou99
    Go_Mizzou99 Posts: 2,628 Member
    I make about 30-40 batches of jerky a year. 3 oz. of beef jerky is probably 6 oz. of raw meat (yes, I have measured before and after weights). So when I figure calories, I figure about 90 cal. per ounce of jerky if using eye-of-round, trimmed of all fat. It might be a little less than that, but whatever, I am not trying to do nano-nutrients.

    That said, it is delicious. You might want to try turkey jerky as well as venison, and any other critter that is edible (except goose - blech!).

    I have been making jerky for years and have a super simple recipe, if interested. I do recommend making it in the garage as the smell, although delicious, is powerful if making inside. I use a temperature controlled forced air dehydrator.
  • DanielCathers
    DanielCathers Posts: 53 Member
    Pssst. You bake. You have tasted the goodness of carbs. Do not fear carbs. They are delicious and nutritious and you need them to survive. Whole grains especially. You've got this!

    I don't know if you're in the right thread. Also, you absolutely do not need carbs to survive.
  • xmichaelyx
    xmichaelyx Posts: 883 Member
    The real problem with beef jerky is that it's EXPENSIVE. So learn to make your own, and eat as much as you want.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Young man, at this point you just need to eat food period...don't worry about "good" or "bad"...in general, things just aren't that black and white anyway.
  • let1179
    let1179 Posts: 58 Member
    Trader Joe's Turkey Jerky! (teriyaki)
    Turkey, Sugar, Water, Soy sauce, Pineapple Juice Concentrate, Apple Cider Vinegar, Salt, Flavorings(not sure what this entails), Paprika, Natural Smoke Flavoring, Caramel Color.
  • let1179
    let1179 Posts: 58 Member
    Young man, at this point you just need to eat food period...don't worry about "good" or "bad"...in general, things just aren't that black and white anyway.

    This!!!
  • mcarranderson
    mcarranderson Posts: 2
    Beef Jerky (and in my case Turkey Jerky) can be very bad if you have a genetic predisposition to uric acid buildup which can lead to kidney stones and gout. I speak from experience when I advise that overdoing the jerky can lead to very painful consequences. There is a tendency to place too much importance on increasing protein intake. While there is no denying additional protein is necessary when used in conjunction with exercise and a proper diet, it is important to remember:

    All things in moderation!

    -Edit-

    To clarify, it does not matter whether the jerky is from a local farm or a commercial location in regards to my warning above. Also, the best person to ask this question is your primary medical care provider. My advice is strictly meant to make anyone reading this thread aware of a potential risk associated with jerky and not to deny the benefit it can provide as a source of protein. I would also recommend low fat cottage cheese, if you like cottage cheese that is.

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