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Key things to know
Yes, beef jerky can be keto-friendly, but the answer depends on how the specific product is made. This post explains what ketosis is, what makes a snack genuinely keto-suitable (high fat, low carb, moderate protein), and why the sugar content of jerky marinades is the key variable to check. D.Jays’ beef jerky uses minimal added sugar, and the marbled beef jerky option adds the fat content that strict keto followers often look for.
Who doesn’t love a snack? But if you’re watching your waistline or on a diet, finding a ‘permissible’ snack can be a bit problematic because so many tasty treats are out of bounds.
And if you’re a follower of the increasingly popular ‘keto’ way of life, you need to find snacks that are really low in carbs and which have a high fat and moderate protein content. This nutritional profile has led to a surge in popularity of beef jerky as a ‘keto’ snack, but does this meaty treat really pass muster in terms of the diet’s parameters?
Before we discuss whether beef jerky is keto-friendly, let’s first take a look at what the keto diet is all about.
The ‘keto’ diet has become a nutritional buzzword in recent years.
A true ketogenic diet is not the same as other well-known weight-loss diets like Paleo and Atkins which focus on low-carb, high-protein eating plans. Usually, the body converts the glucose in carbohydrates into energy and releases insulin into the bloodstream for energy, whereas in keto diets, the body is forced to use an alternative source of fuel because the carbohydrate intake is so severely restricted.
The aim is for the body to enter ‘ketosis’ – a metabolic state in which stored fat is burnt up and ketones released into the bloodstream as the body’s energy source.
It’s always best to discuss your diet with your doctor or qualified nutritionist before making any radical changes, but if you are a proponent of a low-carb or a keto-orientated lifestyle, you’ll be interested in your snacking options.
It’s a good question.
For a snack to be truly keto-friendly, it needs to be rich in fat, low-carb and contain a moderate amount of protein. Eggs, nuts, cheese, avo, oily fish like sardines, trail mix, nut butters, seed crackers are some examples of low-carb foods that make great guilt-free snack options on a keto diet.
With regards to beef jerky, it’s important to understand is that not all beef jerky is made the same. While it is known as a great low-carb, high protein snack, the detailed nutritional profile of jerky will depend on the manufacturer’s recipe and the amount of sugar in their marinade.
If you choose to munch on the crunchy goodness of our famous DJays Gourmet beef jerky, you can rest assured that we only use the finest natural ingredients in our marinades with minimal added sugar!
The tasty goodness of this low-carb, high-protein snack make it a hugely popular choice among those following a keto-orientated diet. It’s tasty, convenient, mess-free, can be eaten on the run and while it doesn’t generally have a high fat content, you can up those stakes by pairing it with some cheese, nuts or avocado hummus.
Jerky is traditionally made from relatively lean cuts of beef like topside, but if you’re looking to elevate your keto-snacking to the next level, we’ve got the perfect solution.
You’ve heard about the holy grail of steaks revered by connoisseurs – the melt-in-your-mouth creamy goodness of marbled meat, right? Well, our DJays Gourmet beef jerky is ‘THAT’ steak in snack form. Because of the extra fat content in the meat and our gentle touch during the drying process, this premium snack ends up tasting like a fine buttered steak and we promise, our marbled beef jerky tastes like more!
There’s no doubt that beef jerky is a delicious low-carb, protein-rich snack. Millions of keto-followers around the world regularly munch on its crunchy, tasty goodness and if you want to try the best beef jerky in Australia, order yours online now. And while it’s a great keto-friendly snack – you definitely don’t need to be on any special eating plan to enjoy its tasty, healthy goodness. It’s the perfect snack for anyone, anywhere, anytime! DJays Gourmet’s beef jerky is known as the best in the business and we deliver door-to-door throughout Australia. Choose from a variety of flavours including traditional, chilli, extra hot and smoky and add in our creamy marbled beef jerky if you want an extra tasty treat! Order your beef jerky online today.
Most quality beef jerky is keto-compatible, but you need to check the label. The thing to watch is added sugar in the marinade. Some commercial jerky products are quite high in sugar, which adds carbohydrates. A good quality jerky with minimal added sugar will generally be low in carbs and high in protein, making it a practical keto snack.
Carb content varies significantly between products. A quality plain or lightly marinated beef jerky might have around 3–6g of carbohydrates per 30g serve, while a heavily sweetened teriyaki-style jerky could be considerably higher. Always check the nutrition information panel before buying if you’re counting carbs strictly.
Ketosis is a metabolic state where your body burns stored fat and produces ketones for energy, rather than relying on glucose from carbohydrates. To maintain ketosis, most keto approaches restrict carbohydrate intake quite significantly, typically to around 5% of daily calories. Beef jerky supports this because it’s a filling, satisfying snack that’s low in carbs and doesn’t trigger the blood sugar spikes associated with high-carbohydrate foods.
For people following a strict keto protocol that emphasises high fat intake, marbled beef jerky offers more dietary fat than a leaner jerky. Since keto targets roughly 75% of calories from fat, choosing a higher-fat product can help hit those ratios while still keeping carbs low.
Yes. Biltong is generally an excellent keto option. Traditional biltong is made without added sugar, which means carbs are minimal. It’s also high in protein and, depending on the cut, can be relatively high in fat. Many keto followers find biltong even more suitable than standard jerky because the traditional recipe avoids sweet marinades entirely.
Arron Zamel has been General Manager of DJays Gourmet since 2015 and under his expert leadership, the company has cemented its reputation as Australia’s leading supplier of packaged jerky and biltong.
His strong family connection to South Africa, his marketing and management degree from Monash University, his technical expertise plus his experience as a successful entrepreneur and import/export business owner made him the ideal candidate for the challenging position.
Additionally, Arron’s innovative approach to management, his proven brand-building credentials, his strong customer focus and youthful energy have ensured that DJays Gourmet’s high-quality biltong and jerky have become Australia's dried meat treats of choice.
He understands traditional South African flavours and the precision techniques required to create truly authentic biltong, jerky and droewors (dried sausage). Part of his job is overseeing operations at DJays' purpose-built facility in Perth, WA where tons of Australian beef goes into making premium dried meat products each month for distribution to retail and wholesale customers across Australia.
For more insights into Arron’s world, visit the DJays Gourmet website, check out their Facebook page or follow them on Instagram @djaysgourmet.