Honey vs Sugar in Beef Jerky: What’s the Difference?

Most beef jerky contains some form of sweetness — but not all sweeteners are created equal. If you’ve ever flipped a jerky package around and seen sugar, corn syrup, or dextrose on the label, you’re not alone in wondering what the difference really is.

At Carzan, we choose honey over refined sugars, not because it’s “magic,” but because it aligns better with our approach to simple ingredients, balanced nutrition, and real-world eating.

Here’s a clear, science-based look at how honey and refined sugar differ, how your body processes them, and why the type — and amount — matters in beef jerky.

Why Beef Jerky Uses a Touch of Sweetness

Sweetness in jerky isn’t just about flavour. Small amounts of sugar or sweetener help with:

• balancing salt and spice
• enhancing savoury notes
• aiding the drying and preservation process

The key difference between jerky products is what type of sweetener is used and how much.

What Refined Sugars Actually Are

Refined sugars used in processed foods often include:

• white sugar (sucrose)
• glucose
• dextrose
• corn syrup or high-fructose corn syrup

These sugars are highly processed and stripped of naturally occurring compounds. They are rapidly absorbed by the body and can cause quick spikes in blood glucose, especially when used in larger quantities.

That doesn’t mean sugar is inherently “bad” — but the form, amount, and frequency matter.

What Honey Is (From a Nutrition Standpoint)

Honey is a natural sweetener made primarily of:

• glucose
• fructose
• small amounts of water
• trace enzymes, minerals, and antioxidants

Because honey contains a slightly more complex sugar composition and additional compounds, it is often digested and absorbed somewhat differently than refined sugar.

Importantly, honey is also much sweeter by volume, meaning you generally need less of it to achieve the same flavour impact.

How the Body Processes Honey vs Refined Sugar

Both honey and refined sugar ultimately provide carbohydrates that your body converts into glucose for energy. The difference lies in how quickly that happens.

• Refined sugars are rapidly absorbed and can cause sharper blood sugar spikes.
• Honey tends to have a more moderate glycemic response, especially when consumed in small amounts and alongside protein.

In beef jerky, where honey is paired with protein and fat, its impact on blood sugar is often less dramatic than refined sugars used in higher quantities.

Why Small Amounts Matter More Than “No Sugar Ever”

A common misconception is that any sugar, in any amount, is automatically harmful.

In reality:

• total sugar per serving
• overall carbohydrate intake
• and context within the meal

are far more important than whether a food contains zero sugar.

Our jerky ranges from 0g of sugar per serving in some flavours to a maximum of 3g per serving — significantly lower than many mainstream jerky brands.

That small amount is there for flavour balance, not sweetness overload.

What This Means for Keto and Low-Carb Eating

Some of our jerky products are keto-friendly, and we’re transparent about that.

Carmen currently eats keto, and Carter has followed keto in the past, so we approach this with a real-world perspective, not internet extremes.

For most people eating low-carb:

• small amounts of sugar alongside protein are manageable
• net carbs matter more than absolute carb count
• portion size is key

Depending on your daily carb allowance, many people can enjoy jerky — even honey-sweetened jerky — without being knocked out of ketosis.

Why We Choose Honey at Carzan

We don’t use honey just because we think it’s a superfood.

We use it because:

• it requires less to achieve flavour balance
• it fits cleaner ingredient lists
• it avoids ultra-processed sugar sources
• it works well with protein-focused snacks
• it supports moderation rather than extremes

In addition, honey contains naturally occurring enzymes, antioxidants, and trace minerals that are removed during the refining of conventional sugars. While honey is still a form of sugar and should be consumed in moderation, it is less processed and retains compounds that refined sugars simply don’t have.

Honey also tends to have a more moderate glycemic response when used in small amounts and paired with protein, which is part of why it works well in beef jerky compared to larger doses of refined sugars.

When choosing a sweetener, we believe less processing, smaller quantities, and better ingredient integrity matter.

It’s a deliberate choice — not a marketing gimmick.

The Bottom Line

• Jerky often includes sweetness for flavour balance
• Refined sugars are highly processed and rapidly absorbed
• Honey is less processed and used in smaller amounts
• Sugar impact depends on context, quantity, and overall diet
• Our jerky keeps sugar low and ingredient lists simple

Good nutrition isn’t about perfection — it’s about better choices, made consistently.