Hi neighbors ...

My husband (who also had WLS) posed a question about beef jerky.
"Is it considered a "dense" protein?"

My guess is yes, IF it's not cured in sugar.
BUT, it seems like the softer version could be a "slider food".

Is there a jerky that is purer, that when measured, can be used as a snack?

Thanks for your thought help

I'd consider either form to be a solid protein. My WLS center had it on their list of "never eat" foods, so I have stayed away from it. However, there are many here that enjoy chewing on the stuff.

It is protien and I think it's ok....the sodium for me would probably keep me away...but only because it causes me to really retain fluids...and then again...it gets stuck in my teeth real bad and I HATE IT! lol..

I actually started making my own there for awhile. It's a lot cheaper (well, cheaper anyway) and I can control what it's "soaked" in. If you run a google search for beef jerky recipes, there's a ton of them out there.

It's not as scary as it sounds, there's also instructions on how to do it. I bought some metal scewers to hang the meat off (through the grates in the oven - if that makes sense) and it works great.

I make my own, and I think that I gave Celadon the recipe a while ago. It's really really simple and about 6 bucks a pound for really high quality stuff. I use splenda, so no sugar.

The reason to NOT eat it is that it can cause problems if it swells up in your tummy. You've really got to chew the heck outta it. and NOT drink with it. I use it with no problems on back packing trips, but I am very careful with it. I did have problems from it once.

PM me if you want the recipe. I'd be happy to share.

Yep, Sandi gave me the recipe and I make it too. There are lots of jerky eaters in my family. I actually took some with me to the mountains and ate it when I couldn't take a shake with me. Like Sandi said though, you really need to chew it and chew it. I actually like knowing that I have a source of protein if I really need it but don't indulge too often.

Thank everyone -
The kind of jerky he eats is soft so it goes down easy -
So it seems to be a "slider" food.
In addition to the salt and sodium - doesn't seem to be a good choice.
It's about 100 + calories per oz. . . . seems like a small "snack" for all it's worth.
(If one is able to stop at one once!)

I found this on a website - I'll have him make a better choice if it's a "must have".
Jerky information

Thanks for the recipes - but unless it's one of the fancy shmancy jerky machines,
I don't think I would do it - #1 it's expensive and #2 the last thing we need is another
kitchen contraption LOL


Hugs!

Meant to say Sugar and sodium

We never covered this topic in engineering school, so I don't know anything about "dense" protien as opposed to other types of protien.

I have used jerkey as a protien snack over the past three years. Remember, my surgeon believes we should eat six times per day, so the jerkey makes a good snack. Wal-Mart sells jerkey that is made from ground beef so it chews much easier and doesn't get in your teeth. I think it comes in a one or two pound bag, so you get a lot of jerkey for a reasonable price... as compared to paying someting like $1.59 for a single slice at a convenience store.

I'm going skiing in a week and a half. You can rest assured that my pockets will be full of jerkey when I hit the slopes.

We also make our own jerkey on a regular basis. In addition to beef jerkey (which we make with the leanest ground beef available), we've also made elk and moose jerkey. In fact, it is time to break some moose-burger out of the freezer and make a batch of jerkey.

So, if you husband enjoys it, I say tell him not to worry about it.