Are Chomps Beef Sticks High in Cholesterol? A Nutritional Deep Dive

November 1, 2025 •

5 min read

For most healthy adults, dietary cholesterol has a minimal impact on blood cholesterol compared to saturated fat. This raises a common question for snack lovers: Are Chomps beef sticks high in cholesterol? We'll explore the science behind it and the full nutritional profile of this popular meat stick.

Quick Summary

This article examines the nutritional content of Chomps beef sticks, focusing on cholesterol and saturated fat. It explores the role of dietary cholesterol versus blood cholesterol and compares Chomps to other meat stick brands to assess its overall place in a heart-healthy diet.

Key Points

Moderate Cholesterol: Chomps beef sticks contain a moderate amount of cholesterol (approx. 25-30mg) per serving, which is not considered excessively high for most healthy individuals.
Saturated Fat is Key: For heart health, the saturated fat content (approx. 2.5-3g per stick) is often a more important factor than dietary cholesterol for influencing blood cholesterol levels.
Less Processed Alternative: Compared to many conventional meat sticks, Chomps is a less processed option, made with grass-fed beef and simpler ingredients, and lower in sodium.
Focus on Moderation: Like any snack, Chomps should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet, particularly due to its saturated fat and sodium content.
Context is Everything: The overall impact of eating Chomps depends on your entire daily diet and individual health factors, rather than just the single snack itself.

Unpacking the Nutritional Profile of Chomps Beef Sticks

Chomps have gained a reputation as a cleaner, more natural alternative to traditional meat sticks, often highlighting their use of 100% grass-fed and grass-finished beef with no artificial preservatives or fillers. While these attributes are a definite plus, a closer look at the nutrition label is essential for understanding how the snack affects your diet, particularly concerning cholesterol. According to recent nutrition data, a single 1.15 oz (32g) Chomps Original Beef Stick contains approximately 25-30mg of cholesterol. For a healthy adult on a 2,000-calorie diet, this typically represents about 8-10% of the recommended daily value (DV).

However, focusing solely on the cholesterol value provides an incomplete picture. The saturated fat content is often a more significant factor for managing blood cholesterol levels. Chomps Original Beef sticks contain around 2.5-3g of saturated fat per serving, which is roughly 12-15% of the DV. While this is a lower saturated fat content than some alternatives, it is still a notable amount for a small snack. The overall impact on your health depends heavily on your total daily saturated fat and sodium intake, as well as your individual health needs.

Dietary Cholesterol vs. Blood Cholesterol: A Clarification

For years, dietary cholesterol was the primary focus for individuals concerned about their blood cholesterol levels and heart health. However, modern nutritional science has shifted this perspective. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans and other health organizations have removed the specific daily limit for dietary cholesterol, emphasizing that saturated and trans fats have a far more substantial impact on blood cholesterol levels.

The Cholesterol Breakdown

LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein): Often called "bad" cholesterol, high levels of LDL can contribute to the buildup of plaque in arteries, increasing heart disease risk. Saturated fats and trans fats are the main culprits in elevating LDL levels.
HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein): Known as "good" cholesterol, HDL helps remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream and transport it to the liver for disposal.
Dietary Cholesterol: The cholesterol you consume directly from food, like that in meat sticks. For most people, consuming this type of cholesterol has a minimal effect on blood cholesterol levels.

This distinction is crucial. While Chomps beef sticks contain cholesterol, their contribution to your blood cholesterol levels is likely less impactful than the saturated fat content. That being said, for individuals who are more sensitive to dietary cholesterol or have pre-existing heart conditions, monitoring intake is still a wise practice.

Chomps vs. The Competition: A Nutritional Comparison

To understand Chomps' position in the snack market, it's helpful to compare its nutritional profile with a more traditional alternative, like a Slim Jim. The differences highlight why many consider Chomps a healthier option, though all processed meat snacks should be consumed in moderation.


Nutrient (per 32g serving)	Chomps Original Beef	Slim Jim Original	Key Takeaway
Calories	100	150	Chomps has significantly fewer calories.
Protein	10 g	6 g	Chomps offers more protein, which aids satiety.
Total Fat	7 g	11 g	Chomps is lower in total fat.
Saturated Fat	3 g	(Data varies)	Chomps has a lower saturated fat percentage of DV.
Cholesterol	30 mg	35 mg	Chomps has slightly less cholesterol.
Sodium	380 mg	530 mg	Chomps is significantly lower in sodium.
Carbohydrates	0 g	6 g	Chomps is zero-carb, unlike Slim Jim which contains corn syrup.
Ingredients	Grass-fed beef, natural spices	Beef, pork, mechanically-separated chicken, fillers	Chomps uses cleaner, higher-quality ingredients.

Making Chomps Part of a Heart-Healthy Diet

For those who enjoy beef sticks, Chomps offers a better nutritional profile than many processed competitors. However, integrating it into a heart-healthy diet requires a mindful approach, primarily due to its saturated fat and sodium content. Moderation is key to prevent exceeding daily limits.

Here are some tips for enjoying Chomps responsibly:

Pair it with fresh foods: Enjoy your beef stick alongside a piece of fruit, a handful of nuts, or some raw vegetables to create a balanced snack.
Stay hydrated: The high sodium content can lead to temporary fluid retention. Drinking plenty of water can help mitigate this effect.
Consider your overall intake: Don't think of Chomps in isolation. Factor its saturated fat and sodium into your total daily consumption, especially if you have other meat or salty snacks.
Use it as a protein source: With 10 grams of protein, a Chomps stick can be an effective way to boost protein intake during the day, which helps with satiety and muscle health.

Healthier Snack Alternatives for Managing Cholesterol

For those actively seeking to lower or manage their cholesterol, or who are concerned about saturated fat, considering alternatives to processed meat snacks is a good strategy. These options can provide similar protein benefits with less saturated fat and sodium.

Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, walnuts, and chia seeds are excellent sources of unsaturated fats, fiber, and protein. Walnuts, in particular, are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart health.
Lean Poultry or Fish: Canned wild salmon or tuna, or a piece of baked chicken, can offer high protein without the added sodium and saturated fat often found in processed meats.
Plant-Based Snacks: Roasted chickpeas, edamame, and various lentil-based snacks are high in fiber and protein, and naturally cholesterol-free.
Biltong: A South African alternative to jerky, biltong is often made with grass-fed beef and dried with vinegar, and typically contains less sugar and fewer preservatives than conventional jerky.

Conclusion: Is Chomps a Smart Choice?

So, are Chomps beef sticks high in cholesterol? In short, no, not excessively so. With around 30mg of cholesterol per stick, their contribution is relatively small compared to daily intake limits. However, the more important consideration for heart health is the saturated fat and sodium content. Chomps are a better option than many ultra-processed alternatives, offering a decent protein-to-calorie ratio and being made with cleaner ingredients. They fit into a healthy diet when consumed in moderation, especially when balanced with other nutrient-rich foods. For anyone with a history of heart disease or high cholesterol, monitoring overall intake and consulting a healthcare provider is always recommended. For more guidance on healthy eating for your heart, visit the American Heart Association website.

Frequently Asked Questions

A single 1.15 oz (32g) Chomps Original Beef Stick contains approximately 25 to 30 milligrams of cholesterol, representing about 8-10% of the daily value for an average 2,000-calorie diet.

No, according to current nutritional understanding, saturated and trans fats have a much more significant impact on blood cholesterol levels than the cholesterol you eat from food. Dietary guidelines have shifted away from strict limits on dietary cholesterol.

Chomps are generally considered a healthier option. They contain less calories, more protein, less fat, less sodium, and use cleaner, grass-fed beef compared to Slim Jims, which contain more processed ingredients and fillers.

Consuming excessive amounts of any processed meat snack, including Chomps, is not recommended due to the saturated fat and sodium content. Eating them in moderation as part of a balanced diet is a healthier approach.

Healthier alternatives include nuts and seeds, which are rich in healthy fats, fresh fruits and vegetables, and plant-based protein snacks like roasted chickpeas or edamame.

The 'grass-fed and finished' label on Chomps indicates that the cattle were consistently raised on a diet of grass and foraged plants throughout their entire life, unlike some 'grass-fed' claims that only require a portion of their life to be grass-fed.

While Chomps are lower in sodium than many other meat snacks (around 380mg per stick), they are not low-sodium and should be consumed in moderation, especially if you are monitoring your sodium intake.