It’s hard to get through any day without snacking, but the important thing is making wise choices. While you could go for the short-lived sugar rush of a candy bar or the satiating crunch of potato chips, there are other options that are just as tasty and also good for you.

New Primal Grass-Fed Original Beef Sticks are a protein-packed and also conveniently portable snack made from 100 percent natural ingredients, including sustainably sourced beef. This hearty treat is not only filling but also provides a good burst of energy and nutrients like iron.

Unlike other jerkys that are loaded with artificial flavors and chemicals, these sticks are lightly seasoned with a combination of spices including garlic, onion, and celery juice powders, as well as a pinch of sea salt to bring out the natural flavors of the meat. Black and white pepper are also added for some spice, while lemon peel and a bit of honey add some tartness and sweetness to round out the overall flavor. The combination comes together in a nutritious collagen casing that is also a completely earth-friendly product, as it can be easily absorbed without leaving behind any non-compostable materials.

Each box includes 20 sticks so you’ll always have some on hand any time a craving hits.

What is grass-fed beef?

The debate between grass-fed and grain-fed beef has become a growing topic of discussion, covering issues related to health, nutrition, and quality.

Grass-fed means that the cattle from which the meat is sourced is pasture-raised and given a vegetarian diet that consists primarily of grass. But this involves more than just filling troughs with clippings. Rather, the herd of cattle is free to roam on acre upon acre of farmland, enjoying fresh air and sunshine, and eating high-quality vegetation to their heart’s content.

Because they don’t live in a high-stress, highly populated environment like other livestock, these animals aren’t subjected to nearly as many illnesses and disease and therefore won’t have to endure the hormones, antibiotics, and other growth-inducing injections that so many others do. Not only is it a humane practice to allow the cattle to age naturally, but it also impacts the quality of the meat that is produced.

Grass-fed beef tends to have a more premium and earthy flavor than grain-fed and a heartier texture. Though it doesn’t have the same beautiful marbling, grass-fed beef actually has a naturally deeper color, which is evidence of its lower fat content. This leaner consistency automatically makes it a more heart healthy option. The medical community accepts that any kind of beef with less than 10 percent fat is better for your heart and approved for most any diet. Eating it is also less likely to impact people with corn and gluten allergies since grass-fed cattle stays away from those often problematic grains.

Nutrition of New Primal Grass-Fed Original Beef Sticks

Grass-fed beef tends to be more tender and lean, so there are fewer calories and less fat content associated with it. One New Primal Grass-Fed Original Beef Stick has just 90 calories, and only two-thirds of those are from fat. It’s also low in carbohydrates (just two grams per stick) and sugar (one gram) and high in protein with six grams in each serving. New Primal’s snack also has iron, an important mineral for healthy blood generation and blood flow.

Grass-fed beef tends to have more omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants as well, namely vitamin C and vitamin E, which provide immune support and protection against a number of diseases. New Primal’s beef sticks are also a Paleo-friendly and gluten-free snack choice.

Added benefits of New Primal ingredients

It’s not only the grass-fed beef that makes these snack sticks so healthy. The added ingredients also have good-for-you qualities, too.

Honey: This sweet nectar is a natural antioxidant with antimicrobal properties that fight infections and anti-inflammatory effects including acting as a digestive relief.
Lemon: This citrus has alkaline compounds that restore the body’s pH levels and vitamin C that acts as an immune boost.
Sea salt: Natural sea salt has a super concentration of more than 60 minerals that support overall well-being. Salt is also good for when you are dehydrated.
Collagen: A super potent protein, collagen is normally found in the bones and tissue of animals and is therefore difficult to obtain regularly. It’s known for making skin more elastic and great for joint support.

Make snacking fun again

If you are looking to expand your selection of healthy snacking options to include more than just vegetables and seeds, New Primal Grass-Fed Original Beef Sticks are a great option. Stash a box at home and at work and throw a few in a gym bag or carry-on luggage for any time you need a tasty pick-me-up. They’re also a great, non-perishable option to accompany hikes, camping, and road trips. These sticks are good to eat for up to one year, though chances are they’ll be long gone before then.

While New Primal Grass-Fed Original Beef Sticks are delicious all on their own, they also pair well with many other foods. Here are a couple of Thrive Market’s favorite ways to match them up while still staying Paleo:

Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Paleo eaters can still enjoy the comfort of mac and cheese with a few easy substitutions. Cauliflower florets fill in for the pasta while pureed cashews, ghee, dijon mustard, nutritional yeast, and a range of spices combine for the perfect sauce. While this recipe calls for a flavorful bacon topping, you can also cut up small pieces of New Primal Grass-Fed Beef Sticks for even more nutritional value.

Fig and Nut Crackers

Create your own Paleo platter with a handful of New Primal Grass-Fed Beef Sticks, vegan cheese, and these crispy homemade crackers. Made with mixed nuts and seeds (including walnuts, almonds, pecans, and pumpkin seeds), fresh rosemary, dried figs, salt, and flaxseed for garnish, they are salty and sweet and take only 25 minutes to make.

The New Primal, Grass-Fed Beef Sticks, Classic, Value Pack