Biltong and Beef Jerky – This is The Difference

If you’re someone who is focused on losing weight, building muscle or looking to simply start eating healthier then you’ve likely assessed your nutrition to be in line with your fitness goals. However, during your nutrition journey you’ve found there’s several healthy snacks to choose from, meaning there’s lots of nutritional information to digest before you find exactly what you’re looking for. One of the key aspects to nutrition that is looked for if you’re losing weight or building muscle is a source of protein, with low carbs and sugar. The answer here for a lot of us and is continuously growing is Biltong. However, biltong tends to get compared and mixed up with the more traditional beef jerky. Luckily for you, we’re here to reveal the details so you don’t have to, speeding up the process for you.

What is biltong?

Biltong which originates from South Africa is a form of beef that has been dried and cured for a number of days with different flavourings of spices for a tasty flavour. There’s usually a lot of pride from brands that produce biltong as they tend to focus on producing only high quality. The process of slow drying high-quality beef allows beef to lose 55% of its weight leaving us with an enhanced form of beef that includes almost double the amount of protein. For example, 100g cut of steak would usually have around 25g of protein, however once slow dried it can easily double to at least 50g. Here’s an example of biltong nutritional information for you:

The high protein which can be found in biltong has led it to be extremely in demand for those of us looking for the cleanest snacks. If you’re someone who is looking for something different to get their source of protein as you’re done with the consumption of the usual protein shake, then biltong can deliver. This snack could be exactly what is needed, high in protein, low in carbs, sugar and salt. This means you’ll be snacking one of the leanest and cleanest meat products on the market to aid your fitness goals.

What is Beef Jerky?

Beef jerky looks exactly like biltong, you really couldn’t tell them apart however jerky actually originates from native American Quechua tribe of South America. However, beef jerky has been massed produced for a few years now making it the more known choice between the two. Due to the mass production and jerky being more commercial it tends to be produced now with any type of beef, so the quality across this product can be inconsistent. The process includes, stripping beef off the bone and cutting away the fat however it’s then seasoned with large amounts of salt and sugar for flavour purposes. Then it’s likely dipped in a marinating mix. In terms of trying to eat in the cleanest way possible to reach your goals, the added salt and sugar isn’t ideal and something to keep an eye on however, you’ll likely to come across some great flavours whereby the jerky is dipped in different types of marinated flavours to give us options.

The Final Verdict

Biltong is produced at a much slower pace in comparison to jerky and due to this it ensures the best and finest meat snacking products are produced. With biltong you’ll taste the incredible flavour, feel the rich texture and even taste from lean it is knowing you’re benefiting from clean eating. The carbs, sugar and salt nutritional value between jerky and biltong really do play a difference in clean eating as one is merely high with the other slightly sky rocketing. So if you’re fitness regime is all about losing weight and building muscle and you’re after that protein alternative then biltong is your best choice. Although biltong isn’t massed produced on the scale of jerky, positively, there’s ample brands that deliver globally. I recommend doing your research to ensure you find the best brand that works for your fitness regime.