Field Trip Original Meat Stick: 8g Protein, No Nitrites, Labelgrade B
Labelgrade: B 75 / 100 — Notably cleaner than mainstream beef jerky: no sodium nitrite (cultured celery powder used as a natural nitrate source for curing), no MSG, no maltodextrin, no smoke flavor synthetics. The trade-off vs Jack Link's is fewer flavor bells and higher cost per ounce. Sodium is still high (857 mg per 100 g), but ~56% lower than Jack Link's per 100 g (1929 mg). Beef + pork blend gives slightly higher fat content than pure-beef jerky.
Quick Facts
Per serving · 1 stick (28 g)
The short answer
Field Trip Original Meat Stick delivers 8 g of protein in 90 calories per 1 oz (28 g) stick (USDA FDC 2651946) — about 29 g of protein per 100 g, matching plain cooked chicken breast. The Labelgrade is B (75 / 100): top-tier protein density, no sodium nitrite, no MSG, no maltodextrin, no synthetic smoke flavor — meaningfully cleaner than Jack Link’s. Sodium is still high (structural to cured meat), though notably lower than mainstream jerky per 100 g.
Why this Labelgrade
| Dimension | Grade | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein density | A | 93 / 100 | 29 g per 100 g — matches plain cooked chicken breast |
| Ingredient quality | B+ | 80 / 100 | Beef + pork, brown sugar + cane sugar, sea salt, spices, cultured celery powder (natural nitrate source). No MSG, no sodium nitrite, no maltodextrin, no synthetic smoke flavor. About 13 ingredients, all recognizable as food |
| Sugar load | B- | 70 / 100 | 3 g per stick (11 g per 100 g) — moderate. 2 g is added sugar (brown + cane), 1 g from spices/celery |
| Sodium load | D | 45 / 100 | 240 mg per stick; 857 mg per 100 g — high. Lower than Jack Link’s (540 per stick, 1929 per 100 g) but still substantial |
| Fiber | F | 30 / 100 | 0 g, expected for a meat product |
| Overall | B | 75 / 100 | The cleaner meat-stick option. Five Labelgrade points above Jack Link’s, mostly on ingredient quality and sodium load. Pricier per ounce and fewer flavor variants are the trade-offs |
How it compares
| Product | Protein per serving | Protein per 100 g | Sodium per 100 g | Notable ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Trip Original Meat Stick (this product) | 8 g | 29 g | 857 mg | Cultured celery powder (no nitrites added) |
| Jack Link’s Premium Cuts Beef Jerky | 12 g (per oz) | 43 g | 1929 mg | Sodium nitrite, MSG, maltodextrin |
| Plain cooked chicken breast | ~31 g per 100 g | 31 g | ~75 mg | Just chicken |
| Premier Protein Vanilla Shake | 30 g per bottle | 8.7 g per 100 mL | 67 mg per 100 mL | Sucralose, multiple phosphates |
Jack Link’s leads on per-piece protein efficiency because pure beef has more lean mass than a beef + pork blend; Field Trip leads on ingredient quality and per-100-g sodium. For a regular daily snack, Field Trip’s lower sodium load is meaningful; for occasional convenience protein, both work.
Whole-food equivalent
One Field Trip Original Meat Stick (8 g protein) equals roughly:
- 26 g of cooked chicken breast (just under 1 oz of plain chicken)
- About 1.3 large eggs
- 44 g of Fage Total 0% Greek yogurt (about 3 tablespoons)
Scope
This page covers Field Trip Original Meat Stick in the 1 oz / 28 g single-stick size (UPC 0854966005520, USDA FDC 2651946). Field Trip sells multiple flavors (cracked pepper, jalapeño, teriyaki) and a Grass-Fed line with different sourcing. Per-stick macros are similar across the Original line; the Grass-Fed line has slightly lower fat. Always check the actual package label.
Ingredients (from the USDA Branded Foods entry)
Beef & pork, water, brown sugar, cane sugar, encapsulated citric acid, sea salt, black pepper, cultured celery powder (celery powder, sea salt), granulated garlic, red pepper, coriander, white pepper, encased in beef collagen casing.
| Nutrient | Per Serving (1 stick (28 g)) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 90 |
| Protein | 8g |
| Total Fat | 6g |
| Saturated Fat | 2g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Total Carbohydrates | 3g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Total Sugars | 3g |
| Added Sugars | 2g |
| Sodium | 240mg |
| Cholesterol | 30mg |
| Calcium | 0mg |
| Iron | 0.4mg |
| Potassium | 140mg |
Where to buy
The links below are affiliate links — buying through them may earn Labelgrade a commission at no extra cost to you. See our affiliate disclosure. The Labelgrade score is not affected by affiliate relationships — see methodology.
Search links are convenience links that may not land on the exact product variant we covered. Always verify the package label (size, UPC) before purchasing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much protein is in a Field Trip Original Meat Stick?
8 grams of protein per 1 oz (28 g) stick (USDA FDC 2651946) — about 29 g per 100 g, comparable to plain cooked chicken breast.
How many calories per stick?
90 calories per stick — slightly higher than Jack Link's jerky (80 cal/oz) because Field Trip uses a beef + pork blend with more fat content.
Does Field Trip contain nitrites?
Not directly added — Field Trip uses cultured celery powder, which naturally contains nitrate that converts to nitrite during the curing process. This is the same mechanism as 'no nitrites added' deli meats. Some consumers prefer this approach; others note the end-product nitrite levels are similar to traditional cured meats.
Does it contain MSG?
No. The ingredient list contains no monosodium glutamate, in contrast to Jack Link's which lists MSG.
How does Field Trip compare to Jack Link's?
Field Trip has notably cleaner ingredients: no MSG, no sodium nitrite, no maltodextrin, no smoke flavor synthetics. Sodium is meaningfully lower per 100 g (857 mg vs Jack Link's 1929 mg). The trade-off: higher cost per ounce, fewer flavor variants, and a beef + pork blend rather than pure beef.
Is it keto-friendly?
Marginally. 3 g of total carbs per stick (2 g added sugar from brown + cane sugar) is more carbs than some keto meat sticks, but still low enough for relaxed low-carb protocols. Strict keto users may prefer a zero-sugar meat stick.
How much sodium per serving?
240 mg per stick — about 10% of the FDA 2300 mg daily limit. Lower than Jack Link's jerky (540 mg/oz) but still substantial. Per 100 g, Field Trip is 857 mg vs Jack Link's 1929 mg.
Is it 'high in protein' under FDA rules?
Per stick, 8 g of protein is 16% of the 50 g Daily Value — just below the 20% 'high in protein' threshold. Qualifies as 'good source of protein' (10% threshold). Two sticks deliver 16 g and qualify for the higher claim.
Is the beef grass-fed?
Field Trip markets some of their meat stick variants as 'made with 100% grass-fed beef,' but the standard Original line uses conventional beef + pork. Check the actual package for the specific product.
People also search for
- Field Trip Original Meat Stick nutrition facts
- Field Trip Original Meat Stick protein content
- Field Trip Original Meat Stick calories per serving
- Field Trip Original Meat Stick ingredients list
- is Field Trip Original Meat Stick healthy
- Field Trip Original Meat Stick review
- how much protein in Field Trip Original Meat Stick
- more jerky →
Sources
- USDA · ID 2651946 · accessed 2026-05-27
- MANUFACTURER · accessed 2026-05-27
Last verified: 2026-05-27