The Best And Worst Hot Dogs At The Grocery Store, Ranked By Nutritionists
OK, so hot dogs aren’t the world’s healthiest food, but admit it: If they weren’t on the menu at summer barbecues, it’d feel like losing a friend.
First things first: “Avoid traditional or ballpark-labeled hot dogs,” Nicole Avena, a New York-based nutrition consultant, told HuffPost. “These are usually the highest in sodium and contain the most additives and preservatives.”
A healthy beef option: Organic Valley Uncured 100% Beef Hot Dogs
A healthy beef option: Applegate Naturals Do Good Dog Uncured Beef Hot Dogs
An unhealthy beef option to avoid: Ball Park Brand Prime Uncured Beef Franks
A healthy pork blend: Applegate Naturals Natural Stadium Beef and Pork Hot Dogs
A healthy pork blend: Seemore La Dolce Beet-a Pork Sausages
An unhealthy pork blend to avoid: Kayem Beef & Pork Hot Dogs
A healthy turkey option: Organic Valley Uncured Pasture-Raised Turkey Hot Dogs
A healthy turkey option: Applegate Natural Uncured Turkey Hot Dog
An unhealthy turkey option to avoid: Ball Park Brand White Meat Smoked Turkey Franks
A healthy chicken option: Applegate Organics Great Organic Uncured Chicken Hot Dog
A healthy chicken option: Bilinski’s Mild Italian Chicken Sausage with Bell Peppers
An unhealthy chicken option to avoid: Gwaltney Original Chicken Hot Dogs
A healthy vegetarian option: Upton Naturals Updog Vegan Hot Dog
A healthy vegetarian option: Jack & Annie’s Jackfruit Sausages
An unhealthy vegetarian option to avoid: Lightlife Smart Dogs
What of your favorite hot dogs is one of the “unhealthy” options listed above?
If any of your go-to dogs made the “steer clear” list, it doesn’t mean you have to ghost them. “Going to barbecues and eating less healthy foods are part of living a joy-filled life,” Cassetty said.
Her advice? If you feel that no family barbecue is complete without a Ball Park frank in your hand, then have one and enjoy. Just don’t make hot dogs a way of life.
“The occasional hot dog at a barbecue when you’re otherwise eating a mostly healthy diet isn’t going to wreck your health,” Cassetty said. “So pick the one you’ll enjoy and be mindful of your diet as a whole.”
This post originally appeared on HuffPost.