Are Slim Jims Bad For You?
Also Known As: smoked snack stick
Short answer
Slim Jims are nothing more than beef-flavored heart attacks waiting to happen. If it is all you have to eat and you are miles from civilization, eat one to stay alive. Otherwise, it should be avoided entirely.
Recommended Alternative
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Other than having about 6% of the daily value recommended for iron, each individual Slim Jim is a disaster waiting to happen. Slim Jims contain no vitamin A, no vitamin C, and no calcium. While Slim Jims do contain 7 grams of carbohydrates, two of those grams are sugar-based and not a single gram comes from dietary fiber.
What Slim Jims are high in, though, is of particular concern to anyone trying to maintain a healthy diet. Even one Slim Jim can ruin your day. In just a single original-flavored Slim Jim lurks 240 calories (180 from fat) and 20 grams of total fat (with 7 coming from saturated fat and one gram from trans fat).
Additionally, each Slim Jim contains a whopping 1,100 mg of sodium (nearly half the daily recommended allowance). Also of concern are the ingredients. While it is true that real beef is used in the making of a Slim Jim, it is also true that beef is not the only ingredient. The other ingredients are: mechanically separated chicken, corn and wheat proteins, lactic acid cultures, dextrose, salt, sodium nitrite, and hydrolyzed soy. Of particular concern on this list is the sodium nitrite, which has been directly linked to colorectal cancer. Although sodium nitrite occurs in vegetables, it is largely neutralized by other chemicals found naturally in the plants. Slim Jims, however, do not contain any chemicals that neutralize the harmful effects of sodium nitrite.
There is a laundry list of complications that can occur due to too much fat and sodium, including heart disease, stroke, heart attack, cancer, problems with the brain, kidney problems, etc.
It is therefore, we recommend simply avoiding Slim Jims with special consideration to your long-term health.
Possible short-term side effects
- nausea
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dehydration
-
stomach cramps
Possible long-term side effects
- brain degeneration
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cancer
-
obesity
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heart disease
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heart attack
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stroke
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kidney damage
Ingredients to be aware of
Healthier alternatives
Our Wellness Pick
(what is this?)
CHOMPS Beef Jerky Sticks
- Grass-fed beef
- Keto & Paleo friendly
- Whole30 Approved
- Non-GMO, Gluten-free
- Sugar-free, High protein
Learn More!
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Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 01-15-2016
Last updated: 11-30-2023
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 01-15-2016
Last updated: 11-30-2023
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