Nutrition Diet: What is a healthy alternative to Chomps?

October 5, 2025 •

2 min read

The global market for healthy snacks is projected to grow substantially, as consumers seek more nutritious grab-and-go options. While popular, many are searching for what is a healthy alternative to Chomps that aligns even better with specific dietary goals, providing options with fewer additives, different macronutrient profiles, or entirely plant-based ingredients.

Quick Summary

Discover several nutritious replacements for Chomps meat sticks, exploring options like minimally processed meat brands, tender biltong, high-protein plant-based jerkies, and simple whole-food snacks.

Key Points

Cleaner Meat Sticks: Brands like Mission Meats and The New Primal offer alternatives with similar or simpler ingredient lists, emphasizing grass-fed or pasture-raised meats and no added sugars.
Biltong's Tender Texture: Unlike jerky, biltong is air-dried and tender, providing a different, often preferred, mouthfeel with minimal ingredients and no added heat.
Diverse Plant-Based Options: Vegan jerkies made from mushrooms, soy, seitan, or jackfruit provide savory, high-protein snacks with less saturated fat and no animal products.
Whole Food Simplicity: Unprocessed snacks such as hard-boiled eggs, nuts, roasted chickpeas, or cottage cheese offer clean, balanced nutrition and maximum control over ingredients.
Prioritize Reading Labels: Always check the ingredient list for hidden additives, sugars, and preservatives, as 'healthy' can have different definitions across brands.
Homemade Control: Making your own meat sticks or jerky allows for complete control over ingredient quality and sodium content, though it requires more time.

For many health-conscious individuals, Chomps meat sticks represent a convenient and protein-packed snack option, especially with their zero-sugar and grass-fed claims. However, the world of healthy snacking has expanded, offering numerous other choices that may better suit different dietary preferences, ingredient sensitivities, or flavor profiles. Exploring beyond Chomps can reveal alternatives that are less processed, offer different nutritional benefits, or provide variety in your diet.

Exploring Better-for-You Meat Stick Options

If you appreciate the convenience and protein of meat sticks but want to explore other brands, several companies offer products with equally or even cleaner ingredients, prioritizing simple components and high-quality sourcing.

Biltong: A Tender and Flavorful Alternative

Biltong is a South African air-dried meat snack known for its tender texture due to air-drying, simple ingredients like spices and vinegar, and higher protein density.

Plant-Based Jerky for a Vegan-Friendly Swap

Plant-based jerkies offer savory vegan options using ingredients such as mushrooms, soy, seitan, or jackfruit to mimic meat jerky.

Whole Food Snacks for Simple, Clean Fuel

Unprocessed whole foods provide clean fuel without the processing of many packaged snacks. Options include hard-boiled eggs, nuts, roasted chickpeas, cottage cheese, and apple slices with nut butter.

Comparison Table: Chomps vs. Leading Alternatives

This table compares Chomps to some alternatives based on general nutritional and sourcing characteristics.


Feature	Chomps	Other Clean Meat Sticks	Biltong	Plant-Based Jerky	Whole Food (e.g., Egg)
Sourcing	Grass-fed, finished beef (various)	Often grass-fed/pasture-raised	Air-dried, often grass-fed	Plant-derived (soy, mushroom, etc.)	Natural, unprocessed
Ingredients	Meat, spices, celery powder, lactic acid	Meat, spices, often with fewer preservatives	Meat, vinegar, spices (minimal)	Varies by brand, some have more additives	Simple, single-ingredient
Processing	Minimally processed (cooked, cured)	Minimally processed	Air-dried, no heat involved	Varies by source, dehydrated	None (cooked, but not processed)
Protein	~10g per stick	7-12g per stick	Higher protein density	Varies, can be high	~6g per large egg
Added Sugar	0g	Often 0g (check label)	Typically 0g	Varies widely, check label	0g
Sodium	380mg per stick	Varies, check brand	Varies, can be high	Varies widely, check brand	Low (natural)
Taste	Smokey, savory	Varies by brand and flavor	Tastes like beef and marinade	Varies, umami/savory	Natural, can be spiced

How to Choose the Best Alternative for You

Selecting the best snack depends on your personal health goals. Consider your priorities—whether that's lower sodium, minimal processing, or specific dietary compatibility—and choose accordingly.

Prioritize Natural Ingredients

Reading the ingredient list is crucial for any packaged snack.

Consider the Impact of Added Ingredients

For a truly unprocessed snack, whole-food options or homemade versions are ideal.

Conclusion: Finding the Right Snack Beyond Chomps

Chomps is a healthy meat stick, but many alternatives exist, including clean-label meat sticks, biltong, plant-based options, and whole foods. Define your health priorities, read labels carefully, and experiment to find a satisfying and healthy snack that fits your lifestyle. The National Institutes of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements is a helpful resource for nutritional information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Chomps is generally considered a healthy snack, particularly compared to many other processed meat sticks. It is made with grass-fed beef, has no added sugar, and contains no synthetic nitrates.

The primary difference lies in the drying process. Chomps are slow-cooked, while biltong is air-dried. This results in biltong having a more tender texture and often a shorter, simpler ingredient list with minimal processing.

Yes, many plant-based jerkies, especially those made from soy protein or seitan, can be a good source of protein. It is important to check the specific nutritional information, as protein content varies by brand and ingredient base.

Whole food snacks like nuts or hard-boiled eggs offer the purest form of nutrition with no additives, preservatives, or added sugars. They provide complete control over ingredients and typically have lower sodium levels than packaged options.

To reduce sodium, compare the nutrition labels of different brands. Look for brands that specifically mention lower sodium content or opt for a whole-food alternative like a hard-boiled egg, which is naturally lower in sodium.

While often marketed as 'natural,' preservatives like celery powder still provide nitrates. For those wanting to avoid nitrates entirely, opting for whole-food snacks, biltong, or brands with no curing agents is the best approach.

Yes, making your own meat sticks or roasted chickpeas at home gives you complete control over ingredients, sourcing, and flavorings. Many recipes can be found online to guide you through the process.