Nutritious, ultra-convenient snack that’s perfect for on-the-go folks – or additive-loaded imposter that will 100% derail your health and wellness goals? Are meat snacks healthy? This hard-hitting piece will answer your questions. And probably make you hungry. Don’t worry: we have a solution for that too.
High-Fat FATTYs?
Is FATTYs high in fat? It can be. But fat is not the “F” word it once was. As nutritional science advances, we understand that there are nuances. For example: remember when eggs were “bad”? The cholesterol! Having that easy-over wakeup call or hard-boiled snack was a big no-no because no sooner would you eat it then you’d have a heart attack.
But then we realized that there was “good” cholesterol and “bad” cholesterol. Eggs do not raise blood cholesterol levels like foods laden with trans and saturated fats do. In fact, they raise HDL cholesterol levels, which can lower the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Further, they are a source of yummy high-quality protein, vitamins, antioxidants, and amino acids. The incredible edible egg is nutritious, filling, versatile, and, most often, relatively inexpensive.
Good vs. Bad Fat: A Battle for the Ages
Why are we talking about eggs? Well, they have gone from health food pariah to dietary superstar. Fat – with some caveats – is in the same boat. We now understand that fat is not bad – or at least not all fats are bad. Healthy fats deliver a host of benefits, including:
- Lowered risk of heart disease and stroke
- Lowered LDL (bad) cholesterol levels
- Increased HDL (good) cholesterol levels
- Lowered triglycerides
- Lowered blood pressure
- Increased satiety (which can prevent overeating)
Not all fats are created equal – and not all are bad for your health or diet goals. The fats you want to stay away from are no surprise: candy, chips, fried foods, commercially baked cakes and cookies, etc. We all know they’re not great for us and that we need to either practice moderation or cut them out of our eating plans altogether.
Including more healthy fats can help us reach and sustain our goals. These include items like olive oil, sesame oil, peanut oil, avocado, peanut butter, olives, nuts, seeds (e.g., sunflower, flaxseed), salmon, tuna, and other fatty fish, and lean meats. Natural smoked meat sticks can fit the bill quite nicely!
Back to FATTYs: Are Meat Snacks Healthy?
Ok, so: healthy, high-fat FATTYs can be a great inclusion to your meal plan – and to your busy, on-the-go life. Whether you’re an hour deep into a marathon meeting, finishing a punishing workout, or racing to get your kid to soccer on time, pulling out a pouch of natural beef jerky can satisfy your hunger and keep you going for the next round.
Are all meat snacks healthy? No. Like fats, not all meat sticks are created equal. Some are loaded with sugar, salt, artificial ingredients, and other junk that negate any benefits of eating lean protein.
When you need a great go-to snack, look for options that include no artificial garbage and utilize the best ingredients. Sweetwood Smokehouse’s Original FATTY flavors for example, boasts 100% Grass-Fed Beef that is hickory smoked with real garlic and a hint of salt and pepper. Where’s the mechanically separated chicken, corn syrup, dextrose, hydrolyzed soy, and sodium nitrite? Not included in this meat stick, ladies and gentlemen.
High-fat meat sticks are an excellent addition to your pantry, go bag, and desk drawer. Pack some when you need an instant hit of nutrition and satisfaction. Stock up on FATTYs now via Sweetwood.com, and keep your health, diet, and schedule on track!