Slim Jims resemble typical sausages in some ways, but they are more of a science experiment than true cooking. What exactly do we get here? Slim Jims, in short, aren’t even close to being healthy. After eating 15 of them, one person on the IGN discussion board said their tongues and throats were “greasy” and they had “chest pain.”
Is jerky a better alternative than Slim Jim
For a serving of just over 1 ounce, the Slim Jim snack stick has 3 carbohydrates. While this is a low carb count, it’s still higher than you’d want your beef jerky to be when compared to Flying G jerky, which doesn’t have any.
Another Slim Jim product we looked at was their beef steak cut, which has roughly 4.5 carbs per ounce. These are minimal carbs, like snack sticks, but any carbs in the jerky indicate that it was produced with some form of “flavoring agent” to enhance an off-tasting product.
Is beef jerky a healthy way to lose weight
The beef jerky available today is a great weight loss snack because it contains powerful protein (which fills you up). It’s even on my list of My Favorite High Protein Snacks For Weight Loss.
Yes, jerky is a fantastic alternative when you need a quick amount of protein as long as you eat it in moderation.
It also doesn’t make insulin, the hormone that tells your body to store fat, which is an added weight loss benefit. Read this post to learn more about the subject: Is Beef Jerky Beneficial for Your Health?
Is beef jerky a healthy snack
It contains a lot of sodium, with a 1-ounce (28-gram) serving accounting for about 22% of your daily sodium requirement of 2,300 mg (5).
Excess salt consumption can impair your health in a number of ways, including heart health, blood pressure, and stroke risk (2, 6).
This also makes it unsuitable for certain sodium-restricted diets (7).
Jerky made from beef is also heavily processed. A number of studies have linked a diet of processed and preserved red meat, such as beef jerky, with an increased risk of malignancies, such as gastrointestinal cancer (8).
Furthermore, a recent study found that harmful compounds called mycotoxins, which are formed by fungi that grow on meat, may be present in cured dried meats such as beef jerky. Mycotoxins have been linked to cancer in studies (9).
In short, beef jerky is a nutritious food that should be enjoyed in moderation. Whole, unprocessed foods should make up the bulk of your diet.
Although beef jerky is nutritious, don’t eat too much of it as it contains a lot of sodium and can carry the same health hazards as processed meat.
When it comes to beef jerky and Slim Jims, what’s the difference
Slim Jims may be mistaken for jerky by non-consumers. Although they look identical, they are originally made from a mixture of beef, pork, and chicken. Undoubtedly, this is a snack worth fighting for. Mulan’s jokes aside, the item is referred to as a “smoked snack stick” on the label, which is hesitant to determine which meat to use as there are several.
Slims and jerky have a similar dry, meaty texture, but Slims sacrifices a bit of quality for the price. They are delicious, but keep in mind that they taste more like salami or pepperoni than beef.
Slim Jims are they processed
Slim Jims, four-inch (or more) cuts of processed meat produced and sold by major food company ConAgra, are a convenience store staple. Since their discovery in 1928 by a man named Adolph Levis, they have gone through a number of formula adjustments. In 1982, a man named Lon Adams, who was working for the then parent company Goodmark, invented the current formula. These are scientific marvels, but they are also processed as they are. So, how did they become?
Wired’s very cool video explains the component list in layman’s terms, and it’s a little scary. It all started with meat (most likely a lower grade than the oldest cow, called utility, cutter and canner). It is ground and mixed with mechanically separated chicken, which effectively smooths the chicken bones, nerves, blood vessels, skin, and a bit of meat (although the production procedure is different). Then, along with corn and wheat proteins (for texture), and hydrolyzed gluten, sugar, spices, added flavorings, and lots of salt (one-sixth of the recommended daily intake) are added (which gives it a savory taste like MSG). The slurry is then piped into a casing and allowed to ferment until it is ready to eat, with the addition of starter cultures of lactic acid (which keeps the pH balance down) and sodium nitrite (which prevents botulism and keeps the meat red).
What are some healthy Slim Jims alternatives
Snacking on the street may be a risky proposition. Call it desperation or just laziness, but on the way, our athletic selves are at their weakest. Convenience often takes precedence over common sense, and that three hours of practice can be wasted more quickly than you can say “jelly donut.”
However, there are many who support us. In fact, a number of food companies are developing alternatives to what we consider to be “viable road fuels”. So next time you’re on the road and you’re hungry, don’t fall for the quick fix. Here are five healthy walking food choices that can keep you on track.
We get it: sometimes you just need to hurry. However, it doesn’t have to be in the form of a Snickers rod. Instead, try Supercandy, a natural sweet made from tapioca syrup and cane sugar that is rich in electrolytes, B vitamins, and antioxidants. The revolutionary candy is available in gummies, caramel, jellybeans, and even bubblegum, and is endorsed by the United States Ski Team. With this nutritious and convenient candy substitute, you can satisfy your sweet tooth while staying on top of your game.
Instead of sugary soft drinks or Gatorade, Nuun Active Hydration pills will truly restore your body while you’re on the move. Simply dissolve the tablet in 16 ounces of water to get electrolytes without the sugar or calories that can cause damage later on. Nuun, unlike other electrolyte tablet companies, has found a way to develop some delicious flavors (my personal favorite is Strawberry Lemonade), and the drink is perfect for road trips between activities. Running into the valley after a day on the slopes? Prevent cramps and muscle aches by adding Nuun to your water bottle. Seems to work for me.
Calories don’t always have to be the enemy. In fact, for many hikers, climbers, skiers, and other outdoor enthusiasts, the right calories are critical to their success. The bars have become caloric loaders, but are dry and chalky. When you bite into the Tram Bar, the flavors of chocolate, peanut butter and honey take over, making your mouth and body happy. Half of one of these organic sticks will keep you going for a while, and it’s small enough to fit in a bag or cup holder.
Sweet waffles will satisfy your sweet tooth. You read that right: sweet waffles! Honey Stinger adapted the concept of sugar waffles sold on street corners across Europe into show food for bikers and mountaineers. The Energy Waffle, made entirely of organic ingredients, is a great portable alternative for on-the-go snacks. The Energy Waffle has 160 calories and consists of two thin wafers with a filling in between, so you don’t have to worry about getting messy while navigating the next turn.
If you can’t get enough processed beef jerky, try Vermont’s RealSticks. RealSticks is made with responsibly raised meat and contains no MSG or nitrates, and has half the calories (80 vs. 160) and nearly three times less fat than Slim Jim. If you’re looking for a compromise, there’s no one: pork sticks come in a variety of flavors (delicious), stay moist and chewy, and won’t force you to stop for 20 minutes at a sketchy rest stop somewhere in Nevada.
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Why is beef jerky bad for you
It has a high sodium content, at 443 mg per serving, due to the pickling process (about 18 percent of the recommended daily total). Red and processed meats, such as beef jerky, should be avoided, according to the American Cancer Society.
What happens if you eat jerky every day
According to research published in The BMJ, there is sufficient evidence to suggest that eating more processed meats (such as beef jerky) is linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and death. Saturated fats, carcinogens, salt, and preservatives are common ingredients in processed meat, all of which are harmful to your health.
According to research, a decrease in red meat consumption and a simultaneous increase in healthy alternatives over time are associated with a lower risk of death. The protein sources recommended by the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans are seafood, nuts, legumes, and whole grains.
How much jerky can you eat in one day
Jerky is high in sodium, explains Hogan.
While this may be beneficial for endurance athletes who lose a lot of salt through sweat, it may not be the best option for someone with high blood pressure or kidney disease.
Plus, salt is in almost everything we eat during the day, according to Rizzo. You don’t want to consume a quarter of your daily salt intake in one session. The American Heart Association recommends that people consume no more than 2,300 mg of salt per day, with an optimal intake of around 1,500 mg.
A 1-ounce serving of beef jerky contains 300 to 400 mg of sodium, depending on the brand and taste.
Otherwise, the ingredients should be simple, according to Rizzo. “Dendeng is traditionally prepared when people dry beef because they don’t have the means to preserve it,” he explains. It is a nutritious snack. Today, artisanal and gourmet jerky continues to do so. If you eat dehydrated meat with seasonings, you have a healthy, protein-rich snack.
But, as Rizzo points out, jerky brands like Slim Jim contain problematic ingredients including mechanically separated chicken, soy flour, and corn syrup, and can account for up to 25% of your daily sodium intake.
Sugar is often added to jerky varieties, and the sweeter it tastes (honey chipotle, anyone?) the better.
The more sugar added to the jerky, the better. However, because meat contains no carbohydrates, even a few grams of sugar (less than 8 grams) is acceptable, especially during or after a trip when you need carbohydrates to replenish your muscle glycogen stores, according to Rizzo.
Is beef jerky a better alternative to chips
Both the beef jerky and potato chips are salty, flavorful and delicious. Beef jerky, on the other hand, is a much better alternative to chips, with fewer calories, fat, carbohydrates, and protein.
