Bacon and beef sticks
Whole food · Sausages and Luncheon Meats
Photo: Wikipedia
Bacon and beef sticks are a savory, smoky, and often spicy snack made from cured and dried ground beef, pork, and seasonings. They offer a satisfyingly chewy or crispy texture, depending on the preparation, and are a protein-dense, low-carb option.
💚 Why it's loved
People love them for their intense, savory umami flavor and satisfying chew, making them a perfect on-the-go snack. Their versatility allows them to be eaten alone, added to salads, or used as a pizza topping.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
They are typically high in sodium and saturated fat, which may be a concern for individuals managing blood pressure or heart health. To counteract, choose low-sodium varieties, practice strict portion control, and pair with high-fiber vegetables like celery or a side salad to balance the meal.
Key benefits
- High in protein for muscle maintenance and satiety.
- Very low in carbohydrates, suitable for keto or low-carb diets.
- Provides a quick, portable energy source.
- Contains essential minerals like iron and zinc.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The process of making jerky, a precursor to many meat sticks, was developed by the Quechua people of the Andes mountains around 1550 as a way to preserve meat.
Full nutrition (scales with serving)
| Water | 21.6 g |
| Energy | 517 kcal |
| Energy | 2165 kj |
| Protein | 29.1 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 44.2 g |
| Ash | 4.3 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 0.80 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.80 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 14.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.9 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 17.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 142 mg |
| Potassium, K | 385 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 1420 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 3.2 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.08 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.04 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 26.1 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.60 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.28 mg |
| Niacin | 4.9 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 1.1 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.50 mg |
| Folate, total | 2.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 2.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 2.0 ug |
| Vitamin B-12 | 1.9 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 0.00 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 1.6 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 16.0 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.06 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.51 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 7.6 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 4.0 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 21.9 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 1.7 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 15.4 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 4.3 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 2.9 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.33 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 102 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.21 g |
| Threonine | 0.96 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.97 g |
| Leucine | 1.7 g |
| Lysine | 1.8 g |
| Methionine | 0.59 g |
| Cystine | 0.26 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.87 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.71 g |
| Valine | 1.1 g |
| Arginine | 1.5 g |
| Histidine | 0.70 g |
| Alanine | 1.5 g |
| Aspartic acid | 2.1 g |
| Glutamic acid | 3.4 g |
| Glycine | 1.6 g |
| Proline | 1.2 g |
| Serine | 0.94 g |
FAQ
Are bacon and beef sticks a good source of protein?
Yes, they are very high in protein, with about 29 grams per 100 grams, making them an effective snack for supporting muscle repair and promoting fullness.
Can I eat these on a keto diet?
Absolutely. With less than 1 gram of carbohydrates per 100 grams, they are a classic keto-friendly snack that helps maintain ketosis.
What is the main nutritional drawback?
The primary concern is the high sodium and saturated fat content. It's best to consume them in moderation and check labels for lower-sodium options.