Dried meat strips as a travel snack
Dried meat strips, commonly known as jerky, are a shelf-stable snack made by dehydrating lean cuts of meat (like beef, pork, or game) that have been seasoned or marinated. This preservation method, with roots in ancient cultures worldwide, removes moisture to prevent spoilage, making it an ideal, lightweight, and protein-packed food for travel, hiking, and long journeys.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This snack is exceptionally high in protein and very low in carbohydrates, making it a dense source of energy. A typical serving provides a significant amount of protein and key minerals like iron and zinc, with a calorie range generally between 100-150 kcal.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 116 kcal |
| Protein | 9.4 g |
| Carbs | 3.1 g |
| Fat | 7.3 g |
| Fiber | 0.5 g |
| Sugar | 2.4 g |
| Sodium | 485 mg |
| Iron | 1.5 mg |
| Zinc | 2.1 mg |
| Potassium | 180 mg |
| Phosphorus | 120 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 3.2 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.8 µg |
| Selenium | 12 µg |
| Magnesium | 15 mg |
Per 1 oz (28 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, the practice of drying meat is a universal human innovation for survival, with variations like South African biltong, Mongolian borts, and Native American pemmican. Nutritionally, it's a unique whole-food snack that delivers concentrated protein without the fats and carbs found in most processed travel foods.
