How long does it take to digest beef jerky? (2023)

How long does it take to digest jerky?

On average, your body needs 12 to 48 hours to completely digest most meats. Although beef jerky makes you feel full, unlike eating steak, it generally won't leave you feeling bloated — if eaten in moderation. Jerky's high protein content can keep you feeling full for hours.

But in a normal, omnivorous diet, the meat will complete its journey through your digestive system in 12 to 48 hours, along with everything else.

Meat and fish can take as long as 2 days to fully digest. The proteins and fats they contain are complex molecules that take longer for your body to pull apart. By contrast, fruits and vegetables, which are high in fiber, can move through your system in less than a day.

After you eat, it takes about six to eight hours for food to pass through your stomach and small intestine. Food then enters your large intestine (colon) for further digestion, absorption of water and, finally, elimination of undigested food. It takes about 36 hours for food to move through the entire colon.

The American Cancer Society recommends limiting your intake of red and processed meats like beef jerky. That's because the World Health Organization has concluded that eating 50 grams of processed meat every day (about 2 to 3 large pieces of jerky) increases your risk for colon cancer by 18%.

The foods with the longest time to digest are bacon, beef, lamb, whole milk hard cheese, and nuts. These foods take an average of about 4 hours for your body to digest. The digestion process still occurs even when asleep. Which means our digestive fluids and the acids in our stomach are active.

Downsides of beef jerky

It's very high in sodium, with a 1-ounce (28-gram) serving providing roughly 22% of your daily sodium allowance, which is set at 2,300 mg per day ( 5 ). Excessive sodium intake may harm several aspects of your health, including heart health, blood pressure, and stroke risk ( 2 , 6 ).

The best-by date on the package indicates the window of peak freshness. As long as it has been stored properly, unopened jerky is safe to consume after the best-by date. But it won't taste as good as fresh jerky. As a general rule of thumb, commercial beef jerky is best enjoyed within 1 year.

Eating too much beef jerky may lead to a slew of side effects, such as rapid weight gain and increased risk of heart disease. But it may also prevent you from eating other foods with adequate amounts of important nutrients you won't get from beef jerky.

Beef that is high in fat takes the longest to digest. This includes processed red meat products like skinless hot dogs, jerky, and skinless sausage patties.

What foods digest the fastest?

Amount and type of food eaten: Protein-rich foods and fatty foods, such as meat and fish, can take longer to digest than high-fiber foods, such as fruits and vegetables. Sweets, such as candy, crackers, and pastries, are among the fastest foods digested.

Unlike foods, water can be “digested” in as little as 5 minutes. Excess water leaves your body through urination and feces but is also excreted by sweating. Your body uses water for many of its daily processes, and since it passes through your body so quickly, it's important to stay hydrated.

Beef Jerky

Protein is the way to go when you feel a late night craving coming on, as long as you don't consume too much of it. Eating a large portion before bed may keep your body up for the sake of digestion, plus too much pre-bedtime protein may give you too much energy before hitting the hay.

Yes, beef jerky is healthy and has many health benefits including weight loss. When consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet, beef jerky is an excellent snack food that is low calorie, high in protein, and a good source of vitamins and minerals including zinc, iron, choline, and Vitamin B12.

Feeding the entire planet on beef jerky for a year would require 15x the current number of cows alive on Earth. This is partially because jerky is such a dense preparation of beef. One could theoretically survive for an extended period on jerky alone.

Elevating your head while sleeping on your left side can improve nighttime digestion. Studies show that this position helps ease heartburn as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) – the muscle ring/flap valve that controls the stomach's intake of food from the oesophagus – is kept above the level of gastric acid.

Main courses of lean protein like chicken, turkey, and fish tend to digest well. Tender cuts of beef or pork and ground meats are other good options. Vegetarians might try incorporating eggs, creamy nut butters, or tofu for added protein.

It contains a good amount of protein, zinc, and iron while being low on fat. It is perfect for eating before, after, or during the gym. Less fat - Beef jerky consists of a low amount of fat. Most of the fat present in beef is removed in curing.

Is beef jerky a super food?

Many people don't know it, but grass-fed beef jerky is a superfood on par with kale and spinach. The red meat is actually extremely healthy and one of the better foods you can add to your diet if you have the inclination. Jerky, as a superfood, can help combat stress and protect the body in a number of different ways.

Most commercial packages of beef jerky recommend consuming the jerky “within 3 days after opening.” But that is a best-by date, not an expiration date. It's meant for you to enjoy the jerky while it's the freshest. After the 3-day mark, its flavor and texture may start to deteriorate.

Beef jerky is a processed red meat

Just like bacon, sausage, and hot dogs, beef jerky is a form of processed red meat. In 2020, researchers looked at the relationship between red and processed meat consumption and cancer risk.

If you make the mistake of eating jerky that has gone bad, you will probably become ill. Spoiled meat is one of the worst things to eat, and it can lead to food poisoning. Some of the symptoms of food poisoning are nausea, abdominal pain, fever, headaches, and gastrointestinal problems.

The easiest way is to pop some into your mouth and chew away. Your saliva will eventually break down the salty snack turning into a rush of flavor. Others enjoy jerky chews as a beef jerky dip. They pack their cheeks with this meaty snack.