Is Pacific Gold’s Beef Jerky Actually Healthy? Let’s Inspect the Facts

Beef jerky has become my go-to protein snack lately It’s tasty, portable, and packed with savory flavor But as a health-conscious eater, I need to be sure I’m choosing the healthiest options. One of my favorite brands is Pacific Gold – their teriyaki flavor is so addictive! But I had to take a closer look to see if Pacific Gold beef jerky is really a smart choice.

In this article, we’ll break down the nutrition facts, ingredients list, and other key health factors to determine how healthy Pacific Gold jerky truly is. Whether you’re a fellow jerky fan or just curious, read on for an honest analysis.

Overview of Pacific Gold Beef Jerky

First, a quick rundown on Pacific Gold as a brand They are a California company that has produced high-quality beef jerky since 1985. Pacific Gold offers jerky in flavors like Original, Teriyaki, Sweet & Spicy, Peppered, and more.

The jerky comes in both whole muscle and chopped/ground formats. It’s made from beef round and flank cuts and minimally processed without artificial additives. However, it does contain two concerning ingredients – sugar and sodium. Let’s look closer at the nutrition profile.

Nutrition Facts for Pacific Gold Beef Jerky

Here are the basic nutrition facts for a 1 ounce serving of Pacific Gold Original flavor beef jerky:

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

Right off the bat, the sodium content jumps out at 620mg per serving – that’s over 25% of the daily value! The American Heart Association recommends limiting sodium to 2300mg per day, so this amount is quite high.

The sugar content is also higher than I’d like to see at 7g per serving. There are no complex carbs or fiber to balance it out. After inspecting the ingredients, brown sugar appears to be the main source of sweetness.

The Importance of Ingredients

When evaluating any food product, it’s vital to look past the basic nutritional numbers and carefully analyze the ingredients list. Here are the ingredients in Pacific Gold Original beef jerky:

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

Seeing soy sauce and brown sugar as main ingredients makes sense given the sodium and sugar content. But there is one very concerning additive here – sodium nitrate. This is used as a preservative and color fixative but has been linked to cancer risks. I try to avoid any processed meat with added nitrates.

How Pacific Gold Compares to Other Jerky Brands

To put things in perspective, let’s see how Pacific Gold stacks up to other popular jerky brands:

• Pacific Gold has more sodium and sugar than CHOMPS and Krave jerky.
• But it has less sodium than Jack Link’s Original jerky, which has 800mg per serving.
• It’s comparable to Matador beef jerky in sodium and sugar content.

Brands like CHOMPS, Lorissa’s Kitchen, and Vermont Smoke & Cure have cleaner ingredients without concerning additives like sugar and nitrates. This makes them healthier options in my book.

Tips for Enjoying Jerky as Part of a Healthy Lifestyle

If you still want to enjoy Pacific Gold beef jerky, here are some tips to make it fit into an overall healthy diet:

• Stick to standard 1 ounce servings instead of overindulging.
• Choose low-sodium flavor varieties whenever possible.
• Drink plenty of water to help flush out excess sodium.
• Pair jerky with fresh fruits or veggies for nutrition.
• Limit intake of processed meats to occasional treats rather than daily snacks.

Moderation and balance are key! Choosing healthier jerky brands can also help minimize concerns over sodium, sugar, and preservatives.

The Final Verdict on Pacific Gold Beef Jerky

So, is Pacific Gold beef jerky healthy? In reasonable amounts, it can be fine as an occasional protein-packed snack. But the high sodium, sugar, and nitrates prevent it from being one of the healthiest options on the market.

Personally, I will likely switch to brands that use simple whole ingredients and no questionable additives. That said, the occasional piece of Pacific Gold teriyaki jerky as a rare treat likely won’t cause harm! As with any food, it comes down to mindful moderation and balance.

At the end of the day, we all deserve to enjoy the flavors we love in a way that nurtures our health. With a discerning eye for nutrition and some common sense snacking habits, we can feel good about our food choices. Now pass the jerky!