Beef Jerky vs String Cheese
Side-by-side macro comparison. Beef Jerky vs String Cheese per their standard serving sizes.
Macro Comparison Table
| Macro | Beef Jerky | String Cheese | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 116 cal | 80 cal | +45% Beef |
| Protein | 9.4g | 7g | +34% Beef |
| Carbs | 3.1g | 1g | +210% Beef |
| Fat | 7.3g | 6g | +22% Beef |
Differences shown relative to Beef Jerky. Positive = Beef Jerky has more.
Quick Take
Beef Jerky delivers 116 calories per serving with 9.4g protein, 3.1g carbs, and 7.3g fat. String Cheese delivers 80 calories with 7g protein, 1g carbs, and 6g fat. The most meaningful difference: String Cheese saves 36 calories per serving — meaningful over a week of meals. Both deliver similar protein density.
When to Pick Each
For Cutting / Weight Loss
When cutting on a tight calorie budget, String Cheese gives you 36 more calories of headroom per serving — that's room for an extra snack, more vegetables, or a higher-protein second portion. If protein density matters more (which it does for preserving muscle on a deficit), String Cheese delivers more grams of protein per calorie consumed.
For Bulking / Muscle Gain
For muscle gain, you want calories AND protein. Beef Jerky brings 116 calories — useful when you're chasing a surplus and struggling to eat enough. Beef Jerky delivers 9.4g of protein per serving, which directly feeds muscle protein synthesis. The best pick depends on whether you need more total calories or more usable protein.
For Keto / Low-Carb
Both Beef Jerky and String Cheese are keto-friendly with under 10g carbs per serving.
Frequently Asked
Which has more protein, Beef Jerky or String Cheese?
Beef Jerky has more protein: 9.4g vs 7g per serving. That's a difference of 2.4000000000000004g.
Which has fewer calories, Beef Jerky or String Cheese?
String Cheese has 80 calories per serving vs 116 calories in Beef Jerky — a difference of 36 calories.
Is Beef Jerky or String Cheese better for keto?
String Cheese is the better keto choice at 1g carbs per serving vs 3.1g carbs in Beef Jerky.
Is Beef Jerky or String Cheese better for weight loss?
For weight loss, String Cheese gives you more calorie flexibility (36 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, String Cheese delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from String Cheese.
Which Is Better for Your Goal?
🔥 Weight Loss
String Cheese
Higher protein-to-calorie density + lower absolute fat = more satiety per calorie.
💪 Muscle Gain
Beef Jerky
Higher absolute protein per serving better supports muscle protein synthesis.
🥑 Low-Carb / Keto
String Cheese
Lower carbohydrate content fits keto and low-carb macros without burning your carb budget.
Both fit most balanced diets. These verdicts reflect macro-only comparisons — taste, satiety, cost, and personal preference also matter.
Find Your Personal Macros
The "right" food depends on your individual macro targets. Calculate yours in 60 seconds:
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Other ways Beef Jerky and String Cheese stack up:
Full Beef Jerky guide • Full String Cheese guide • All comparisons