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Jerky bars - an alternate to Granola Bars






Jerky meat has been a part of our culture for centuries. Jerky is a unique name given to any type of meat ( pork, beef, chicken,turkey)that has been dried to remove moisture content, Jerky  meats usually have a very low water activity and low moisture content, in addition to that it also has salt added to it to fasten the process of drying. Jerky bars have always served the purpose of being a great saviour in the times of crisis like famines. 

in the recent years there has been a rise in the trend of eating Jerky bars. They are high in protein (9-10 gm approx per bar) , low on carbs and sugars and a decent source of fats . All of these characteristics make jerky bar a good Mid or post ride option. It is a good option for those who like sticking to paleo diet ( moderate carbs) specially diabetic patients as they have to monitor their carbohydrate intake. Since it has salt present in it , some would argue that it can impact BP levels negatively and can deteriorate the condition of population suffering from Renal disorders, but at the same time this extra salt can be beneficial for an athlete  (endurance, strength ) as it can replenish their electrolyte pool after a serious workout session. 

                     

All natural jerky bar with no added flavours


It can fuel recoveries. Sugars are also sometimes added to these bars to make certain flavours ( honey chilly, if u can try - you should a great innovation in the field of flavour development) so another controversy arise can a diabetic patient have jerky bars , probably no but if u look closely jerky bars are deprived of sugars in their crude form and addition of 5-10 gm sugars can be beneficial for restoring glycogen levels. So where to draw the line , where to stop the debate . How to tell if it’s good or bad for health. 

My personal take on this would be to read labels every time you go to buy a jerky bar , because many companies are making jerky bars just like the good old days with no more than 2-3 ingredients (salt, meat and binders ) , but then there are some brands that make their bars with many more things they put in fillers , sweeteners flavour enhancers , soy flavours, corn syrups, MSM (cheaper alternate to high cuts of meat), etc . So be aware and read before you put a jerk bar in your mouth .   

   

Jerky bar with natural fruits and flavours

                      


 

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