Is Jerky Processed Meat?

This is a common question. Many people are concerned with reducing processed foods in their diets—and with good reason. Every day, there’s a new health article about the dangers of overconsuming processed foods or processed meats in particular. You may also want to avoid preservatives or other unhealthy ingredients.

However, not everyone has time to prepare every meal and snack from fresh ingredients. You might want a quick, high-protein snack to bring on your next camping trip—or shopping trip. (Never go to the grocery store hungry!) Jerky can be a convenient, filling snack and many people want to include it in a health-conscious diet—but is that possible?

What Exactly IS Processed Food, Anyway?

To determine whether beef jerky is considered a processed food, we first need to understand what “processed food” means. Essentially, processed food is any food that has been modified from its original state, typically to preserve it, enhance its flavor, or make it more convenient.

These modifications can range from techniques like freezing, canning, and drying to more intricate methods that involve adding preservatives, flavorings, and colorings. Since jerky is cooked and dried, it is technically a processed food.

However, processed foods exist on a spectrum, from minimally processed items like washed and cut carrots to intensely processed products like ready-to-eat meals, snack foods, and sodas. In general, the more processing that occurs, the more nutrients are lost. For instance, you might think that boiling vegetables is healthy, but this process actually reduces the vitamin content of your broccoli or cauliflower. In contrast, minimally processed foods largely keep their natural nutritional value.

Ultra-processed foods undergo significant alterations and contain numerous added ingredients not usually found in home kitchens. These heavily processed foods are the ones nutrition experts often recommend limiting in a healthy diet. But why is there a concern about processed foods?

Why Highly Processed Foods Are Problematic

The American Medical Association reports that high consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with a 31% higher risk of mortality, as well as an increased risk of Type II diabetes, heart disease, and dementia. This is likely due to a combination of factors—processed foods not only have fewer nutrients, but they also have more salt, sugar, preservatives, and other unhealthy ingredients.

However, minimally processed foods like whole-wheat bread are generally considered healthy alternatives to ultra-processed items.

So, Where Does Jerky Fit In?

All jerky is processed to some extent, but some jerky contains more preservatives, salt, and artificial colors and flavorings than others. If you choose a jerky with mostly whole, natural ingredients, it will likely be healthier than a more heavily processed variety.

For instance, Wild Game Jerky’s Buffalo Bob’s Alligator Jerky starts with whole ingredients like alligator and beef and has no MSG or artificial colors. Yet its barbeque flavor is so delicious you’ll forget it’s a minimally processed, healthy snack—and its 8 grams of protein help you feel satisfied. Check out our many flavors of wild game jerky, including ostrich, duck, alligator, buffalo, elk, and venison.