Healthy Hot Dogs?
 Summer is just around the corner. Basketball season's almost over and baseball season is upon us . Indeed, lazy hazy dog days lie ahead…yes, that's "hot dog season." What else goes with baseball, apple pie, the Fourth of July, outdoor summer eating, corn on the cob and lemonade?
Hot dogs have been taboo - nearly outlawed by all those in the health and wellness business, due to the negative health data. And it's true: hot dogs are high in sodium, cholesterol, contain cancer-provoking nitrates and are made from animal parts and fillers. Of course, there are the all "beef" hot dogs, whatever that means. Did you know that one hot dog contains anywhere from 130 - 190 calories and 110-150 calories from fat? A single dog can have as many as 650 milligrams of sodium, and we are not talking about mineral-laden sea salt. Then, of course, the hot dog gets char grilled (which is carcinogenic), goes on an all-white, puffy preservative bun with high fructose corn syrup ketchup, salty sauerkraut, sugary relish and the one good healthy ingredient - mustard.
Is the idea of a healthy hot dog simply an anomaly? Not at all, as it turns out. A good dog only has about 50 to75 calories and has anywhere from 15-40 calories from fat. The sodium content is much lower, from 250-300 milligrams of sodium, and it's normally made with a higher quality of salt, such as sea salt.
Here are 3 simple rules for shopping for and finding the perfect healthy hotdog:
- Chose all natural hot dogs containing no chemicals or preservatives
- Select chicken, turkey, or vegetarian options
- Try to buy organic
Here are rules for keeping the dogs healthy:
- Do not grill or char at a high temperature
- Place on a whole wheat or spelt bun
- Use agave or organic ketchup
- Use low-sodium, preservative-free sauerkraut
- Serve dill relish
- Serve with baked low-fat potato chips
Go ahead, NOW you can enjoy the dog days of summer!
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