We asked dietitians to name the healthiest hot dog—they all picked the same one

It’s true—hot dogs can in fact be healthy when you know what to look for.

Key Points

• Dietitians say Applegate Organics’ The Great Uncured Beef Hot Dog is the healthiest hot dog.
• These hot dogs are higher in protein and are made with simple ingredients and no artificial preservatives.
• Choose 100% beef hot dogs that are lower in sodium and saturated fat, and pair them with produce.

A hot dog feels like an American staple, but they often get a bad reputation for their spot in the processed meat category. You don’t have to give up your favorite BBQ food item, but it’s true that some brands use higher-quality ingredients to make a healthier hot dog. We asked dietitians to name their first pick if they’re grabbing a pack of dogs for their backyard get-together. Overwhelmingly, Applegate Organics’ The Great Organic Uncured Beef Hot Dog was the favorite. 

Here’s why Applegate Organics’ The Great Uncured Beef Hot Dog topped the list, what makes a hot dog healthy, and how to build your plate around it so that you leave feeling good about the choices you made.

Why Dietitians Recommend Applegate Organics The Great Uncured Beef Hot Dog

Here’s the nutrition facts per hot dog of Applegate Organics’ The Great Uncured Beef Hot Dog:

• Calories: 100  
• Carbohydrates: 0 g
• Dietary fiber: 0 g
• Total sugar: 0 g
• Added sugar: 0 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Total fat: 8 g
• Saturated fat: 3.5 g 
• Cholesterol: 30 mg
• Sodium: 480 mg
• Potassium: 220 mg (4% Daily Value)
• Iron: 1 mg (4% DV)
• Calcium: 5 mg (0% DV)

Compared to a conventional hot dog, the Applegate Organics uncured beef version clocks in lighter on calories without skimping on flavor. With 100 calories per link, this option is genuinely lower in calories and still tastes classically good. Compare that to most hot dogs, which approach the 150-calorie range, and you have a much lighter picnic plate on your hands with this choice—even if you choose to go back for another dog.

Higher in Protein Than Many Traditional Beef Hot Dogs

A hot dog isn’t typically the star of anyone’s protein goals, but it can still pull some weight. At 7 grams of protein per link, these dogs squeeze in a couple more grams compared to conventional hot dogs on the market that contain just little over 5 grams of protein. And when you consider that they’re also significantly lower in calories than traditional hot dogs, that’s pretty impressive.

Protein helps keep you full and satisfied after eating, instead of feeling hungry again shortly after your meal. If you want to stick with just one hot dog, be sure to pair it with lots of filling toppings and sides that have protein and fiber.

Made with Simple, High-Quality Ingredients

When you’re looking at a hot dog package and label, the first thing to ask is What is actually inside? The answer should be simple: just meat and maybe a few recognizable seasonings and other ingredients. 

“When choosing hot dogs, I’m looking for brands that are made with 100% beef,” says dietitian Nicole Rodriguez, RD. “I love that Applegate Organics contain so few fillers, and they are significantly lower in calories from fat compared to other leading brands,” she adds. Plus, The Great Organic Uncured Beef Hot Dog from Applegate Organics is made with certified regeneratively sourced beef. That means that the farms raising the cattle use grazing practices that help the environment by building healthier soil and implementing sustainable farming practices.

Uncured & Made Without Artificial Preservatives

“Uncured” is one of those packaging words that can trip people up. It simply means the hot dog is not preserved using synthetic sodium nitrite. Instead, the brand uses naturally occurring sources of nitrates to do the job, from ingredients like celery powder.

Maggie Bell, M.S., RN, RDN shares that she recommends Applegate Organics’ The Great Uncured Beef Hot Dog because it is uncured, contains no artificial preservatives and comes from cattle raised without antibiotics or added growth hormones.

Nitrates are naturally occurring compounds that you can find in the soil or in certain vegetables, like beets. They’re also added during processing to preserve foods once they hit the shelves. While consuming processed meats containing naturally occurring nitrates is a better option, it’s still best to limit your overall intake.

Hot Dog Honorable Mentions

Aside from Applegate Organics’ The Great Uncured Beef Hot Dog, there are many other solid options that dietitians will point to at the grocery store:

• Applegate Natural Uncured Beef Hot Dog: A sibling hot dog to the organic version that still has a dietitian-approved nutrition profile.
• Simply Nature Uncured Beef Hot Dogs from Aldi: These franks offer a great nutrition profile at a budget-friendly price.
• Thousand Hills Beef Hot Dogs: Made from 100% grass-fed, regeneratively raised beef with minimal ingredients.
• Hebrew National 97% Fat Free Beef Franks: This choice is a lean pick that’s easy to find almost anywhere.

What to Look For in a Healthy Hot Dog

Next time you’re standing in the hot dog aisle and feeling overwhelmed, here is your quick checklist:

• 100% beef: Skip the dogs labeled vaguely or ones that list “meat byproducts.” You want to know exactly what’s in your dog, and choosing 100% beef or another single-named protein source can help narrow down your choices.
• Protein per serving: Even a couple more grams per serving means more staying power on your plate.
• Sodium content: Hot dogs can vary widely in their sodium content. Look for options with less than 500 milligrams per link, and beef up your plate with lots of fruits and veggies to offset the salt. Compare a few side-by-side at the store, and pick the lower-sodium option when you can.
• Saturated fat: Look for lean options that have closer to 2 grams of saturated fat or less, especially if you plan to eat more than one. Look for “low fat” or “fat free” labeling on your franks to keep saturated fat low.

How to Make Your Hot Dog Healthy

Here are a few ways you can round out your meals that include hot dogs this summer:

• Watch your portion size: “One hot dog can absolutely be enough, if you build the rest of the meal around it instead of letting it be the whole plate,” says Lauren Manaker, RD.
• Drink water: Hot dogs and their toppings tend to run high in salt, so keep water nearby and drink a little extra to balance out your sodium intake.
• Pile on the veggies: Try onions, peppers, tomatoes or shredded cabbage for lots of color and added nutrients to your dog. Plus, the potassium can help flush out the extra sodium. 
• Go for fermented toppings: Sauerkraut or kimchi add lots of flavor and a gut-healthy probiotic boost from fermenting that most people aren’t getting enough of at their cookouts (or in their overall diets). 
• Add fiber: Beans, chili or even a smear of hummus will boost your fiber content and turn your dog into a more blood sugar–friendly choice.
• Pair it with produce: Watermelon, corn and side salads all add volume and lots of colorful nutrition, too.

Our Expert Take

If a hot dog is calling your name this summer, there’s no reason to skip out. Dietitians recommend choosing brands that are made with high-quality ingredients, like Applegate Organics’ The Great Uncured Beef Hot Dog. Take a look at the nutrition profile for the total sodium and saturated fat content, and choose a hot dog with simple ingredients. 

Rodriguez reinforces that it’s OK if every choice we make isn’t the “healthy” one. “For many, hot dogs are a special-occasion treat with social significance. Instead of getting too caught up in ‘healthifying’ those types of occasions, focus on balance for the rest of your day.” Rodriguez reminds us that a hot dog is a fun, approachable vehicle for fermented and fiber-rich foods.

Remember, a single meal won’t undermine your health, so simply pair your hot dog with nutritious options for a balanced summer barbecue plate.

Read the original article on EatingWell