Is Pacific Gold Beef Jerky Healthy? A Close Look at This Popular Snack

Beef jerky has become an increasingly popular snack in recent years. With its high protein content, portability, and satisfyingly chewy texture, it’s easy to see why. But not all beef jerky is created equal when it comes to nutrition and ingredients. One popular brand, Pacific Gold, offers a variety of flavorful jerkies that can easily satisfy your snacking cravings. But is Pacific Gold beef jerky actually a healthy choice? Let’s take a closer look.

An Overview of Pacific Gold Beef Jerky

Pacific Gold is a California-based company that has been making beef jerky since 1985. They offer jerky in a range of flavors like Original, Teriyaki, Sweet & Spicy, and more. Pacific Gold jerky comes in both whole muscle and ground or chopped formats. Their jerkies are made from beef round and flank cuts.

Pacific Gold jerky is minimally processed – the beef is simply marinated, seasoned, and dried. It does not contain any artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. However, it’s important to note that Pacific Gold jerky does contain both sugar and sodium, which we’ll explore more below.

Nutrition Profile of Pacific Gold Beef Jerky

Here is the nutrition information for a 1 ounce serving of Pacific Gold Original flavor beef jerky

• Calories: 80
• Fat: 1.5g
• Saturated Fat: 0.5g
• Sodium: 620mg
• Carbohydrates: 7g
• Sugar: 7g
• Protein: 7g

As you can see, the protein content is decent at 7g per serving. However, the sodium content is quite high at 620mg per serving. The American Heart Association recommends limiting sodium intake to no more than 2300mg per day. With those guidelines, one serving of Pacific Gold jerky provides over 25% of your daily recommended sodium intake.

The sugar content is also on the high side at 7g per serving. There are no fibers or complex carbs to help offset the simple sugars. The ingredients list indicates that brown sugar is used, likely contributing to the sweetness.

The Importance of Ingredients

When evaluating the health profile of any food it’s vital to look beyond basic nutrition facts and closely analyze the ingredients list. Here are the ingredients in Pacific Gold Original flavor beef jerky

• Beef
• Soy Sauce (Water, Soybeans, Salt, Sugar)
• Brown Sugar
• Garlic Powder
• Onion Powder
• Natural Smoke Flavoring
• Salt
• Natural Flavorings
• Sodium Nitrate

Right away, we see that soy sauce and brown sugar are called out, confirming our suspicion that these are main drivers of sodium and sugar content.

The ingredients are relatively straightforward except for one concerning item – sodium nitrate. Sodium nitrate is used as a preservative and color fixative in processed meats. However, there are health concerns around nitrates forming carcinogenic compounds called nitrosamines. Many health experts recommend avoiding processed meats with added nitrates.

How Pacific Gold Compares to Other Beef Jerky Brands

To get better context, let’s see how Pacific Gold stacks up against some other popular beef jerky brands.

Pacific Gold has more sodium and sugar than other brands like CHOMPS and Krave. CHOMPS contains 290mg sodium and 0g sugar, while Krave has 300mg sodium and 2g sugar.

On the other hand, Pacific Gold has less sodium than Jack Link’s Original flavor jerky, which has 800mg sodium per serving. It is comparable to Matador beef jerky, which has 680mg sodium and 6g sugar per serving.

When looking at ingredients, other brands like CHOMPS, Lorissa’s Kitchen, and Vermont Smoke and Cure use simpler, cleaner ingredient lists without added nitrates.

Healthier Beef Jerky Options

If you want to enjoy beef jerky but are concerned about sodium, sugar, and nitrates, here are some healthier options to look for:

• CHOMPS – Grass-fed beef, minimal ingredients, no sugar. 290mg sodium per serving.

• Country Archer – Grass-fed beef, no sugar. 260mg sodium per serving.

• Lorissa’s Kitchen – Grass-fed, organic beef. 310mg sodium, <1g sugar per serving.

• Vermont Smoke and Cure – Uncured beef jerky with celery juice powder instead of sodium nitrate. 480mg sodium per serving.

• Beyond Meat – Plant-based jerky with pea protein. 500mg sodium, 5g sugar per serving.

Tips for Enjoying Beef Jerky on a Healthy Diet

If you want to keep enjoying Pacific Gold or similar brands of beef jerky, here are some tips:

• Watch your portions – Stick to standard 1 ounce servings instead of overindulging.

• Aim for low-sodium varieties – Compare brands and flavors and select options lower in sodium.

• Drink plenty of water – Stay well hydrated to help flush out excess sodium.

• Eat with fresh fruits or veggies – Pair with something that offers nutrition without extra sodium.

• Limit processed meat intake – Make beef jerky an occasional treat and avoid daily consumption.

The Verdict on Pacific Gold Beef Jerky

At the end of the day, is Pacific Gold beef jerky healthy? In moderation, it can be a fine choice for an occasional protein-packed snack. However, the high sodium, sugar, and nitrates prevent it from being considered one of the healthiest options out there.

If you are concerned about these factors, go for a brand that uses clean, simple ingredients and uncured meat. But an ounce of Pacific Gold here and there will likely not cause harm, as long as you keep your daily diet well balanced. Enjoy mindfully and in moderation.