Nutrition Diet: Are chomps good for you?

October 5, 2025 •

3 min read

With approximately 10 grams of protein and 100 calories per stick, Chomps have carved a niche in the health-conscious snack market. Yet, in a world flooded with conflicting health information, consumers must question the claims of any product: Are chomps good for you?

Quick Summary

Chomps meat sticks are a high-protein, low-calorie, and zero-sugar snack made from high-quality, grass-fed meat and natural ingredients, fitting into various diets like Keto and Paleo.

Key Points

Clean Ingredients: Chomps are made with high-quality, grass-fed and finished beef, and natural seasonings, avoiding artificial preservatives, fillers, and added sugars found in many other meat snacks.
High Protein, Low Calorie: With 10 grams of protein and only 100 calories per stick, Chomps provide a satiating snack with a high protein-to-calorie ratio.
Zero Sugar and Carbs: The zero-sugar and zero-carb content makes Chomps ideal for those following Keto, Paleo, or Whole30 diets.
Lower Sodium than Competitors: Although still a source of sodium, Chomps typically contain less sodium per serving than many conventional meat sticks.
Convenient and Portable: Individually packaged, Chomps are a portable and shelf-stable snack, perfect for on-the-go energy and preventing unhealthy food choices.
Sustainable Sourcing: The company emphasizes sustainable sourcing, including grass-fed and finished meat, and is a Certified B Corp.

Understanding the Chomps Difference: Ingredients and Sourcing

At the core of Chomps' marketing is a commitment to quality ingredients, a factor that sets them apart from conventional meat sticks. Unlike many mass-market products that use fillers, corn syrup, and other artificial additives, Chomps emphasizes its use of 100% grass-fed and grass-finished beef, antibiotic-free turkey, and venison. A 'grass-finished' label is particularly significant, indicating that the animals were fed a grass-based diet throughout their lives, a practice that can lead to a more favorable fatty acid profile in the meat.

The ingredient list for an original beef stick is notably short and transparent, featuring items like grass-fed beef, water, sea salt, and spices such as black pepper and garlic powder. Preservatives are natural, with cultured celery powder and encapsulated lactic acid used instead of synthetic nitrates or nitrites. This focus on minimal, real ingredients aligns with the principles of clean eating and has helped Chomps earn certifications like Whole30 Approved and Certified Paleo.

The Nutritional Breakdown: What's in a Chomps Stick?

For those monitoring their intake, the nutritional profile of a Chomps stick is straightforward and appealing. A single original beef stick (32g) contains:

Calories: 100
Protein: 10 grams
Total Fat: 7 grams
Saturated Fat: 3 grams
Carbohydrates: 0 grams
Sugars: 0 grams
Sodium: 380 milligrams

Beyond macronutrients, Chomps also provides a source of important micronutrients found naturally in meat, including B vitamins, iron, and zinc. The zero-sugar and zero-carb content makes it a popular choice for low-carb and ketogenic diets. The moderate fat content, particularly from grass-fed sources, offers satisfying energy without the high saturated fat found in some alternatives.

Comparison: Chomps vs. Conventional Meat Snacks

To truly understand if Chomps are a good choice, it's helpful to compare their nutritional profile to a more conventional, well-known alternative, such as a Slim Jim. A side-by-side analysis reveals significant differences in ingredients and nutritional value.


Feature	Chomps Original Beef Stick (32g)	Conventional Snack (e.g., Slim Jim Original, 32g)
Calories	100	150
Protein	10 g	6 g
Total Fat	7 g	11 g
Total Carbohydrates	0 g	6 g
Total Sugar	0 g	<1 g
Sodium	380 mg	530 mg
Key Ingredients	Grass-fed & finished beef, spices, natural casing	Mechanically-separated chicken, beef, pork, soy flour, corn syrup, artificial preservatives

This comparison highlights Chomps' superior nutritional density, offering more protein and fewer calories, carbs, and sodium than many traditional meat sticks.

How Chomps Fit into Popular Diets

Chomps are particularly appealing to individuals following specific dietary protocols due to their clean ingredient profile and macro breakdown.

Keto Diet: With zero carbohydrates and a good amount of protein and fat, Chomps are a perfect snack for maintaining ketosis.
Paleo Diet: The emphasis on 100% grass-fed and finished meat, with no grains, legumes, or refined sugars, makes Chomps compliant with Paleo principles.
Whole30: Chomps was the first meat stick brand to be officially approved by the Whole30 program, which forbids sugar, alcohol, and legumes, among other ingredients.

Potential Downsides and Considerations

Despite their many advantages, Chomps are not without considerations. As a preserved meat product, they do contain a moderate amount of sodium. While significantly less than competitors, 380mg per stick accounts for a notable portion of a person's daily recommended sodium intake. For individuals on a low-sodium diet, this is an important factor to monitor.

Furthermore, while minimally processed compared to many alternatives, it is still a processed food, not a whole-food item like a fresh fruit or vegetable. It's a convenient option for on-the-go snacking or a quick protein boost but should be part of a balanced and varied diet, not a replacement for whole foods. For some, the cost per stick is also a factor, as they are a premium product.

Conclusion

So, are chomps good for you? The answer is generally yes, especially when compared to most other convenient, shelf-stable meat snacks on the market. Their use of high-quality, sustainably sourced, grass-fed meat and natural ingredients provides a superior nutritional profile—more protein, less sugar, and fewer calories and sodium than many competitors. For those on low-carb, Keto, Paleo, or Whole30 diets, they are an excellent, compliant choice. However, like all processed snacks, they should be consumed in moderation, particularly due to their sodium content. Ultimately, Chomps can be a very good and convenient component of a healthy diet, as long as it's balanced with other whole foods.

Visit the official Chomps website for a full list of ingredients and flavors.

Frequently Asked Questions

While Chomps are lower in sodium than many conventional meat sticks, they are a preserved meat product and contain a moderate amount of sodium. An original beef stick typically has 380mg of sodium, so those monitoring their sodium intake should be mindful of consumption.

Yes, Chomps are a processed food, but they are minimally processed when compared to many other shelf-stable meat snacks. They use natural ingredients and avoid artificial fillers, but they are still cured meat.

Yes, Chomps can be a protein-rich snack for children. They are available in smaller 'Chomplings' sizes for kids, and the clean ingredients make them a preferable option to many sugary or highly processed snacks.

Yes, Chomps are very suitable for the ketogenic diet. The original beef stick has zero carbohydrates and zero sugar, and a solid protein and fat content, which supports ketosis.

No, Chomps do not contain added nitrates or nitrites. They use natural preservatives like cultured celery powder, which naturally contain nitrates, but they are not added in their synthetic form.

Grass-fed means the cattle grazed on grass for part of their life, while grass-finished means they were exclusively fed grass and foraged plants at the end of their life. Chomps uses both grass-fed and grass-finished meat, which is a key quality indicator.

Chomps offer more protein, fewer calories, and lower sodium and carbs than a Slim Jim. Chomps also use simpler, higher-quality ingredients like 100% grass-fed beef, whereas Slim Jims contain fillers and added sugar.