Are Slim Jims keto friendly? Yes, Slim Jims are Keto friendly or keto “approved” but you should know that they are not the best solution to your keto snacking struggles.
These meat sticks might make a fun road trip snack—they are certainly cheap and easy to find—but, Slim Jims are filled with a few ingredients you want to avoid for healthy ketosis.
As a somewhat low carb snack (and gluten free), Slim Jims can be an okay choice for your diet; however because of the included corn syrup, these meat sticks shouldn’t be part of your normal diet.
Slim Jims have low amount of carbs overall. But, the corn syrup and other ingredients make these meat sticks a “once in awhile” option.
Slim Jims are a processed food made with artificial ingredients. They include sugar, corn syrup, and whey protein concentrate (which is quite high in calories).
The Most “Keto Friendly” Aspect of Slim Jims Meat Sticks:
In my view, what qualifies Slim Jims as a keto approved, or good low carb option, is more about what they not, rather than what they are.
Let me explain:
If you are asking me if you should include Slim Jims (or any other Gas Station staple meat stick full of processed garbage ingredients) into your low carb ketogenic diet, to optimize the effectiveness of your healthy diet, I would give you a resounding “NO!”.
However, we live in the real world, with real jobs, real schedules to keep, real life “on the go” situations. When you or on the road or have no choice to pop into a gas station for a quick snack or meal, the options can be limited. All your friends are grabbing breaded sandwiches, candy bars, energy drinks, pop and potato chips.
You have done great sticking to your diet the last couple weeks, and you don’t want to blow it with a nice convenient excuse of “well I had no choice, we were in a hurry, and everyone knows gas stations don’t have healthy food. It’s not my fault!”
Grab a few Slim Jims or other alternative meat stick, find the lowest carb flavor they have, or for that matter, take a look at the beef jerky section as well. Go get a bottle of water, and see if they have any small blocks of cheese.
Yes, your friends will think you are out of your mind, but you will inspire them a few months from now when you lost some weight and look healthier.
So in summary, are Slim Jims the healthiest snack choice for a keto diet in general? Probably not. But what they are NOT, is a breaded sandwich or pizza slice at the convenience store, which will screw up your progress and put you right back on the carb craving hamster wheel that we are all so familiar with.
Getting back on the carb craving hamster wheel means it will be you grabbing the slurpees and candy and who knows what else on your next stop at the store.
More Nutritional Information about Slim Jims Meat Snacks
Slim Jims Meat Sticks contain (For 1 Stick-Different Flavors may vary a bit):
Serving Size: 12.5g
Calories: 60
Total Fat: 4.5 g
Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 15 mg
Sodium: 210 mg
Potassium: 0 mg
Total Carbohydrates: 2 g
Dietary Fiber: 0 g
Sugars: 0 g
Protein: 2 g
Calcium: 0
Vitamin A: 0
Vitamin C: 0
More detailed nutritional information about Slim Jims from the company that makes them. (They should know, right?)
They have plenty of protein for when you need an energy boost on your ketogenic lifestyle but Slim Jims meat sticks lack some important nutrients like vitamin D, calcium and potassium. You can always supplement these by adding cheese to make it into a full meal.
Not all Stores will have fruits and vegetables of course, but if they do, choose wisely, even though the mark up at most convenience stores are huge.
Keep in mind, it will cost more health wise, health insurance wise, and overall quality of health wise, by choosing cheaper unhealthier snacks.
