What are athletes, dietitians, fitness professionals, sports nutritionists, and low carb snackers saying about Simply Snackin'...
Simply Snackin' products have fitness enthusiasts, dietitians, sports nutritionists, and low carb protein snackers talking! Read what they have to say, along with testimonials from other tried-and-true fans from across the nation.
Product: Assorted Beef, Chicken, & Turkey
Posted By: Michael K
I was introduced to these meat snacks 2 weeks ago at a conference and after my first bite I knew I was going to purchase immediately. From a taste perspective, these are excellent in that they are not sweet nor over spiced and easy to chew. Additionally, it meets many of the requirements for my patients who are following a heart-healthy lifestyle or gut protocol whether they are ketogenic, low carb, low glycemic, Paleo, Primal, Elimination or carnivore. From a cost perspective, these snacks make sense when compared to protein bars as they provide a better nutrient profile for the investment. Highly recommend!
Simply Snackin’ Beef & Chicken Snacks Score High Marks For Taste & Protein, While Keeping Carbs Low
I have to admit I was more than a little flattered when Simply Snackin’ founder Sue Kramlich sent me a Twitter direct message last week, asking me if I’d be willing to review her company’s “delicious low carb protein snacks”?
I was also a bit concerned that she might have been reading my diary.
I cannot tell you how many times while on long car trips that I’ve stopped at rest stops with the hope of finding a good low carb ‘snack’ to hold me over for a couple more hours… only to flip over a dozen or more ‘protein’ bars and jerky bags, and find a nutrition label showing obscene quantities of processed carbs and added sugar.
The sad truth is I ate many of those products for years before I started my low carb journey in January 2018 at the age of 53, a journey that culminated with a loss of 85 pounds, and has rewarded me with a level of health and fitness I hadn’t enjoyed since the early 1980s.
I responded to Sue’s request by sending my address, and a few days later a package arrived, containing 10 Simply Snackin’ low carb protein snacks.
The assortment represented their entire line of individually packaged, one-ounce snacks. I was impressed by the packaging, but was most interested in checking out the nutrition labels.
The first one I happened to glance at was the “Italiano Chicken”, and I was immediately impressed. 11 grams of protein with 1 gram of fat and only 1 gram of carbs. That included a gram of added sugar, something that may rile those who have managed to entirely cut carbs from their diets, but I learned long ago that ‘perfection’ is not something I’m good at ( as they say on the LowCarb MD podcast "...we seek progress, not perfection").
Reviewing the labels on all 10 packages, I learned that five of the flavors — Beef with Hemp Seeds, Signature Beef Bold Original, Chicken with Hemp Seeds, Italiano Chicken, and Black Bean Chicken — had just one gram of carbs apiece, while the other five flavors had more. I figured I’d start out with the five flavors with just one gram of carbs, and see how they tasted.
My 18-year-old daughter Katie was intrigued, and said she’d be happy to participate in a taste test, so we sat down together at the kitchen table and enthusiastically unwrapped the Beef with Hemp Seeds.
“Wow, it’s better than jerky,” said Katie with a big smile on her face. “It tastes great, and it’s easy to bite and chew. You can’t even compare this to convenience store jerky.” High praise from a long-time fan of beef jerky who frequently eats brands containing far more added sugar.
Katie’s enthusiasm only increased when we opened the Signature Beef. “The perfect amount of salt and beef flavor. Even more delicious than the one with hemp hearts. This will make jerky seem more like eating a tire… Real meat!”
As someone who has gotten used to sometimes compromising taste in an effort to keep my carb count low, I must say there was no sense of compromise here. The taste and consistency of these meat snacks was nothing short of superb.
My wife Connie was interested in what was going on in the kitchen, and it didn’t take much convincing to get her to agree to review the Italiano Chicken.
“This is very flavorful, without too much salt. It’s very satisfying… really, really good,” she said. “This would be perfect to bring on our mission trips where we are so desperate for a good source of protein.”
For a week each summer, my wife participates in the Appalachian Service Project with one of our kids, and she always makes a point of trying to stash some portable protein to help get through the week without becoming too depleted.
“These are delicious,” she added. “If I saw them in a store, I wouldn’t hesitate to purchase. They would easily replace many of the other snacks I might have selected in the past.”
The Black Bean Chicken and Chicken with Hemp were equally appealing. All three of us are big fans................. Judging by how fast they disappeared, I’d say the entire line scored a 10 out of 10 on the flavor front......"
- Chris S Cornell @BiggestComeback, Was 278 lbs. Beat sugar/carb addiction, lost 85 lbs. Writer, photog, journalist. VP, Digital Marketing @WowProduction. Lift weights & run. Cancer survivor. 55yo .
...........................................................
.............................................
“They are a great snack choice low in calorie but with enough protein and great flavor to keep you satisfied in between meals.” - Alison Barkman, MS, RD, CDN, alisonbarkmannutrition.com
.........................................
“Simply Snackin’ is a lean, moderate calorie choice that the taste testers say is perfect for those times when you need something satiating to snack on but don’t want to derail your diet.” OR “…perfect for those times when you need something satiating to snack on but don’t want to derail your diet.” - Pam Bede MS, RD, CSSD, author of Fuel School
.....................................................
"Simple ingredients, great taste, and easy to carry on the go!" - Leslie Schilling, Sport Nutritionist, SchillingNutrition.com
..................................
"The taste, the nutrition, the quality all exceeded my expectations for a high-quality protein snack." - Gavin Van De Walle, supranutrition.com
..................................
"They are delicious and so convenient for this busy RN." – Toni Church, www.runninglovingliving.com
..................................
“SO into chicken + cherries.” – Jen Sinkler, fitness writer and personal trainer, www.jensinkler.com
..................................
Simply Snackin hits the nutrition mark on so many levels: It tastes terrific but it’s only 60 calories, has no fat, keeps for a long time, so it’s perfect for anyone on the go and it doesn’t even take up much space. Perfect for the book bag, the purse, the briefcase or even the carry-on. It’s loaded with good quality protein to keep away the hunger pains between meals, too. Simply Snackin knocks it out of the park for taste, nutrition, and convenience”- Keith Thomas Ayoob, EdD, RD, FADA, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
..................................
“My youngest daughter loves carbs and I often find it hard to come up with a variety of protein choices for her that she enjoys. She recently liberalized her vegetarian diet to include chicken and turkey, I love that Simply Snackin products are easy to toss into a lunch box and doesn’t require refrigeration. Taste, convenience, excellent protein source and a fun snack that my teens will eat is going over big at the Grotto house.”-David W. Grotto, RD, LDN, The Best Things You Can Eat, 101 Optimal Life Foods; 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life
..................................
“They are fabulous! Love the flavors- so creative and what a big protein bang for a small calorie buck. This is great for my athletes and patients who have a calorie cap, but still need to meet their protein requirements. And added bonus: tasty, convenient and portable!” – Leslie Bonci, Nationally Recognized Sports Nutritionist and Director of Sports Nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
..................................
“Simply Snackin is the perfect snack. It’s convenient, flavorful, tasty, packed with lean protein, comes in a variety of flavors, kids will love them and most of all it’s healthy. Getting good quality lean protein in a convenient snack is rare to come by. Simply Snackin meets all of the criteria for a health filled on the go delicious snack.”-Kelli Calabrese MS, Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Personal Trainer of the Year, author of Feminine, Firm & Fit.
..................................
“Simply Snackin meat snacks may very well be the BEST jerky-ish treats we have EVER tasted. (We say “-ish” because these take jerky to a WHOLE new level!) Seriously. We’re talking all-natural chicken breast and beef sirloin with dried fruit, cheese, and more. Just reading the flavor varieties—Dried Teriyaki Chicken with Mangoes & Papayas and Dried Beef Sirloin with Apples & Cherries, to name a couple—is enough to make our hearts race.”
– Lisa Lillian, hungry-girl.com - Snacking Aficionado
..................................
“I love Simply Snackin gourmet meat snacks – not only are they convenient and healthy, they are the best meat “snack” I have ever tasted! Delicious! I’m a label reader; I monitor calories, fat content, protein and sodium levels on just about everything I eat, especially my snacks. Most dried meats are full of MSG and fillers; Simply Snackin meats have no added MSG, Trans Fats or Fillers! Other dried jerky meats are tough and hard to chew – does anyone really like shoe leather? Simply Snackin meats are easy to eat and enjoy, for a fulfilling and tasty snack, anytime, anywhere!”
– Jody Jones, Consumer and 19 years in the food/beverage business, serving the transportation industry world wide
..................................
“In October 2009, I was introduced to Simply Snackin at the National Convention for Dietitians in Denver, Colorado. I was so impressed with this product that I requested a donation to take on a mission trip to Roatan, Honduras. The village I would be visiting is very poor and the people have very few protein foods to eat. Simply Snackin provided a very generous amount of snacks for us to take to the people of this village. Simply Snackin was a wonderful ice-breaker... not to mention a snack that the locals enjoyed tremendously.
As a dietitian, I recommend Simply Snackin for those with diabetes, low blood sugars, athletes, or persons who are trying to lose or maintain weight. This product is portable, compact and, more important, delicious while providing extra protein with minimum calories. I find Simply Snackin superior to a protein shake.”
– Lydia Allen, Consultant Dietitian, Florida
..................................
“I have been an outdoor adventurer most of my adult life, and am always looking for more tasty snacks that provide me with that boost of energy to get me through a long day of tramping through the wilderness. After trying tons of different snacks and your typical hiking snacks, I started looking for something that would not only satisfy my taste but also be easier to pack. After coming across the gourmet meat snacks that Simply Snackin provides, nothing else compares. They meet all the criteria I was seeking. Not only are the snacks pure energy, but they also are easily the best tasting, most portable and easiest to travel with wherever my adventure may take me. An absolute must for any outdoor enthusiast.”
– Jamo, WI
..................................
“My clients are always looking for healthy foods they can pack in their briefcase for their long days in meetings, or gym bags for after a workout, or in their backpacks for after school before practice or in their carry-on luggage for flights. A Simply Snackin Strip fits the bill on all occasions. They are portable, palatable and have a good nutritional profile. I feel comfortable recommending them to all my patients as a healthy snack food.”
“In addition, I love eating them myself, not only because the great taste but because so many protein-rich snacks require refrigeration, Simply Snackin allows me another alternative without the worry of spoilage.”
– Lisa Bunce, Registered Dietitian, Owner Back to Basics Nutrition Consulting, Connecticut
..................................
“As someone who is always on the go it can be hard to eat healthy. Well, Simply Snackin has made it easy for me. The gourmet meat snacks give me a convenient and more cost effective way to keep me going during the day. I always keep a pack in my car, another in my golf bag, and always have plenty on hand at my house. The protein fills me up and I can eat it knowing that I am not putting yet another over-processed snack into my body. Simply put, Simply Snackin produces the highest quality meat snacks which is why I have made their products a part of my daily life! I am happy to recommend them to anyone that will listen!”
– James Brueggeman, Wisconsin
..................................
“The Simply Snackin dried beef and chicken strips are one of the best tasting protein rich snacks I have ever tasted. The many flavors – including my favorite Teriyaki Beef Sirloin with Pineapple, provide wide ranging taste appeal and variety. I keep them in my drawer at work in case a meeting runs late and I can't run out to get lunch.”
– Barbara K., Chicago
..................................
“Well, on gourmet jerky snacks... I was a little skeptical at first with the unique flavors, but they taste great! They are low-fat, low-calorie and a good source of protein. It’s definitely not an ordinary jerky! The flavors are almost exotic!”
– Jennifer Nolte, Fitness Model Competitor
..................................
“I am 40 years old and have been weight training and bodybuilding for over 20 years. I have always enjoyed jerky over the years and use it as a source of efficient protein. I recently discovered Simply Snackin jerky and can honestly say, it’s the best in the business. It is flavorful, low in calorie and sodium and actually gives the breakdown on sodium, fat, protein and carbs. You don’t get this with most jerky. Though they have many tasty flavors, my favorite is Beef Sirloin. I would recommend any of the product lines from Simply Snackin as all their products keep the health conscious in mind. I look forward to any new products they may introduce to the business.”
– Jim Sirek, Competitive Bodybuilder
..................................
The Simply Snackin gourmet meat snacks are at the top of my grab-and-go, low-calorie snacks list. They are a creative and filling mix of sweet and meaty. I was a little apprehensive about trying some of the combinations. Who would have thought that blueberries, cranberries and sirloin were a match made in jerky heaven? The snacks are also moist and easy to chew. I keep a couple packages in my purse and use them to tide me over in between meals and to provide a protein boost before working out. I’ve even broken out some of the fruity mixes for a quick breakfast.
I distributed these meat snacks at a recent Weight Watchers 5k walk and socials and several walkers couldn't believe these were 60 calories each! How convenient for those of us who calculate every calorie we consume. I’ll be sure to keep my cupboards stocked and spread the word. I want this fantastic product in the Midwest markets!
– Jessica Hartley, journalist and member of Weight Watchers
..................................
“As a personal trainer and a mom these snacks are great! Great source of protein, easy to travel with and they do not hurt the teeth. You can enjoy them. They are flavorful, chewy and very satisfying. As a trainer, I recommend them for snacks at work, for on an errand day, for kids in any sports, right after a workout if you can’t get the protein drink in, and for snacks for kids at home, school or travel. They beat any chip snack or any other jerky snack. There is no jerkin’ with this Treat, You can bite it and eat it without making faces :) Enjoy and keep them on hand.”
– Tammy Thyssen, Personal Traininer, Wisconsin
..................................
“As a nutritionist I recommend gourmet meat snacks to my clients to control their appetite and weight. The meat snacks are great to carry with you and at only 60 calories per snack, they fit into many meal plans. I am always looking for a protein snack without carbohydrate for the diabetic population. Best of all, they are delicious!!!! Thank you for a wonderful product.”
– Lisa M, Nutritionist
..................................
“Simply Snackin meat snacks are definitely my snack of choice. Whether I’m studying for an exam or enjoying some time out on the water, their low fat, protein-dense, great tasting jerky is an energy source unparalleled in quality and produced by a trustworthy team of individuals. In the world of specialty meat products, Simply Snackin will always be #1 in my book.”
– A. Kirkpatrick, Medical Student, Wisconsin
..................................
“These meat snacks are pretty darn tasty and a fantastic alternative to a bag of chips or other junk food. This actually offers me a chance to take in some protein. I love the burst of flavor. It’s not just a hint of flavor lost amongst the meat, there’s an actual jump up and “BAM!” of flavor. There are two designated periods in my day that I simply can’t miss. They can be summed up in two words: Snack time. Rest assured there is usually a chicken snack from Simply Snackin in one of them.”
– Kate P., Chicago
..................................
“I’m a 110% Fan, I know... I’m not the only one : ) !!!
“This is by far the absolute best dried meat snack I have ever, ever eaten. Being in the fitness & health industry you are always trying to find a snack that’s satisfying and achieves the nutritional bang for your buck that your body needs. Simply Snackin delivers on that! It’s tender and comes in a variety of flavors. You will be staying away from hydrogenated oils, corn syrup, and other fillers in that “other jerky” out there. Believe me, your body will love what’s NOT IN IT! Simply Snackin is a healthy low fat, high protein snack that's SOOOOO yummy, you will NEVER consider another “jerky style” brand again! So don’t wait, become more health conscious and try Simply Snackin gourmet dried meats.
It also makes the perfect travel companion, although I tend to think those sitting around me on the plane are always looking to me for a bite of it…I’m not good at sharing it, ha! Very convenient for those who need a portable snack, toss it in your gym bag, luggage, purse, car and you’ve got a much better source of protein at your fingertips, keeps you from making a poor choice – Simply Snackin is my kinda fast food. I’d definitely recommend it to my friends, family, athletes and YOU!”
– Stacy Stengel, Entrepreneur, ISSN Sports Nutrition Specialist, Former National Level Bikini Competitor, Wisconsin