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Beef jerky has fallen victim to an unfortunate stereotype over the years as an unhealthy junk food, and it\u2019s just not true. In fact, beef jerky has become beloved by healthy eaters in recent years as the increased consumption detailed in this post from Fast Casual shows. Apparently, beef jerky consumption and sales have risen by at least 18% in the last five years. And it\u2019s not just beef jerky that\u2019s quickly rising in popularity: people are getting on board with all kinds of dried, salted meat varieties, from fishier options like salmon, to lesser-used (but no less delicious) meats like buffalo and bison. As with most things trendy, the younger demographics are the ones who can\u2019t stop gobbling up jerky; 18-24 year-olds are among the age group most interested in mid-day snacking, and beef jerky is a perfect, protein rich option for that three o\u2019clock slump at the office. With up to 13 grams of protein in just one ounce of meaty jerky, we can\u2019t figure out how it got that unhealthy stigma it once had. We wonder if restaurants will start picking up on this meat-eating trend and incorporating some gourmet varieties of jerky in their meat-friendly dishes.<\/p>\n