Is jerky a healthy snack?
Jerky in a variety of meats including elk, salmon, and kangaroo is trending as a protein source, but is it as healthy as wellness influencers claim? Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s Frank Hu and Stephen Devries were among the experts who commented in a Feb. 17 New York Times article.
On the pro side, the article noted that many jerky products provide a decent amount of protein for relatively few calories, and don’t tend to include a lot of unrecognizable ingredients. However, they can be high in sodium and saturated fats and typically contain added sugars.
Hu, Fredrick J. Stare Professor of Nutrition and Epidemiology and chair of the Department of Nutrition, said that it was fine to eat jerky occasionally, but did not recommend eating it on a regular basis. He noted that fish-based options can be lower in saturated fats.
Devries, adjunct associate professor of nutrition, noted that dried meats contain nitrates and nitrites, which may raise cancer risk. He recommended Greek yogurt as a healthier option for a high-protein snack. Other experts suggested plant-based snacks, including roasted chickpeas and edamame, and nuts.
Read the New York Times article: Is Jerky Good for You?
