5 Best Keto-Friendly Hunting Snacks

Keto diets have increased in popularity in recent years. People all over the world have been talking about how going keto has helped them in some way.

Going keto means sticking to a diet that’s high in fats and very low in carbohydrates. That’s why, if you’re eating a keto diet, it’s important to plan ahead and have keto-friendly snacks readily available.

While keto isn’t a diet for everyone, many people try it for their own reasons and to achieve certain goals. Keto adherents include hunters and a wide array of other outdoors enthusiasts.

What Is a Keto Diet?

According to Harvard Health Publishing, “A ketogenic diet could be an interesting alternative to treat certain conditions and may accelerate weight loss.” The goal for a keto diet is to reach ketosis, which is when the body shifts from burning glucose to burning fatty acids and ketone bodies for energy.

Keto Diets can be very strict and require a lot of discipline. As mentioned in an article from Harvard, a daily keto diet requires fewer than 50 grams of carbohydrates per day while fat supplies as much as 90% of daily calories. Eating increased amounts of protein can also be helpful to keep up with the lifestyle.

The Best Keto-Friendly Hunting Snacks

There’s a lot of time to fill while on the hunt. Whether you’re tracking, shooting or simply waiting for the right deer to come along, the hours pass by and you definitely work up an appetite. Here are five keto-friendly snacks that can help keep cravings at bay while you’re out hunting.

Wild River Beef Jerky

This is a great meat snack that’s been enjoyed for generations by people who spend time hunting, fishing, hiking and enjoying other outdoor activities and hobbies. Wild River Old Fashioned Beef Jerky is made with 100% beef, has 15 grams of protein per serving and has less than one gram of carbohydrates per serving. The mild flavor is satisfying, but other zestier choices include Black Pepper, Green Chile and Hot.

Cheese Sticks

It seems like you can go to any restaurant or food truck and find something on the menu with cheese in it. There’s a good reason for this—it’s mouthwatering and integrates well with eclectic drinks and foods.

Cheese has a reputation for being a comforting treat, but it’s also a great pick for people on a keto diet. A 21-gram serving of sharp cheddar cheese (the weight of an average cheese stick) may contain seven grams of fat, five grams of protein and less than one gram of carbohydrates.

Protein Bars

When you want a convenient and filling snack, a good protein bar will hit the spot. They’re individually wrapped and don’t need to be refrigerated, which means you can easily carry a few of them with you and eat one when you’re on the move and hungry.

But as great as they can be, plenty of protein bars aren’t anywhere near keto-friendly. There are numerous brands that are loaded with calories and carbs. Some bars have as many as 50 grams of carbs per serving! To find the best fit for you, make sure to check the label for nutrition and ingredient information.

Nuts & Seeds

Taking a break? Waiting patiently, for the next deer to come through? There are a lot of serene moments during a hunting trip, and they’re the perfect time to sit back and enjoy some grub.

Flavor blasts are nice, but they’re not always necessary. Sometimes you just want an easy, dependable snack that won’t require your full attention. This is when a handful of seeds or nuts will work.

Nuts and seeds offer an earthy, subdued flavor that you can enjoy without needing to focus on the complexities of the food. They’re also nutritious and filling without weighing you down. One ounce of almonds contains six grams of protein, 14 grams of fat and six grams of carbs.

Veggies

“Always eat your fruits and vegetables!”

You might have heard that old pearl of wisdom dropped a time or two when you were growing up. Yes, fruits and vegetables are loaded with vitamins and minerals, but since keto diets focus on low carbs, that rules out a large number of fruit options. Vegetables, however, are a different story.

There are plenty of veggies to choose from, including broccoli (fewer than five grams of carbs per cup serving), grape tomatoes (fewer than nine grams of carbs per cup serving) and baby spinach (fewer than three grams of carbs per cup serving).

Keto-Friendly Snacking Tips for Hunting, Camping & Hiking

You’ve craved being outdoors for years. Maybe your entire life. It’s ingrained in you and the world starts to feel out of whack when you go too long without spending time in nature.

Adhering to a keto lifestyle can be a challenge. So many foods contain high levels of sugar, and it can be hard to stay the keto course when you’re enjoying activities in natural environments.

Whether your hobbies include hunting, camping or hiking, planning and preparation are the keys to maximizing the experience. Here are three tips to consider when choosing keto-friendly snacks:

Tip 1: Avoid Snacks Containing Carbohydrates

The objective of the keto diet is to burn fatty acids and ketones instead of glucose. This means staying away from carbs, which can be tough in a world that seems to be built around them.

Since a keto diet calls for eating 50 grams of carbs or fewer per day, check the label of each item to make sure they align with your goal.

Tip 2: Look for Snacks With Protein & Fat

With carbs almost completely out of the equation, the majority of calories are supposed to come from fat, followed by protein. Fortunately, there are a lot more snacks available that fit with the keto diet than there used to be. Some grocery stores even have keto-friendly sections!

Tip 3: Always Read the Label

If your local store doesn’t have keto-specific displays or sections, then check the nutritional information of the products on the labels or a reliable online source.

Enjoy Wild River Beef Jerky for Your Next Keto-Friendly Snack!

When you need nourishment on your next hunting trip, any of the five ideas on this list will do the job. But if you’re leaning toward beef jerky, we have you covered. Wild River makes old-fashioned jerky, a keto-friendly that’s rich in flavor and rugged enough to join you on your next adventure. Buy some beef jerky online or at a store near you!