Are Beef Jerky, Meat Sticks, and Meat Snacks Healthy?

RD Tips for Making Meat Snacks Part of a Healthy Diet

If you enjoy meat snacks, being selective about what you buy and how often you eat them can help you maintain a balanced diet.

To find healthier products, Warner tells her clients to start by reading the list of ingredients. “In general, the fewer ingredients, the better,” she says. She recommends comparing sodium and saturated fat contents, and for beef snacks, she suggests choosing grass-fed beef when possible.

Warner also recommends creating snacks that balance protein, fiber, fat, and carbs by including plant-based foods to ensure you get a variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. “That might look like pairing it with fruit, avocado, or a handful of nuts or seeds,” she says. “This helps create a more balanced snack and supports overall health.”

Her bottom line is that meat snacks can be enjoyed, but they are still processed foods that contain saturated fat. “Maybe they’re not your only snack every single day,” Warner says. Someone who eats mostly home-cooked meals might be able to enjoy a meat snack most days, she says. But for someone who regularly eats out, consumes ultra-processed foods frequently, or has a chronic health issue, she says it’s best to only eat a meat snack every so often.”