For better or worse, hot dogs are one of those quintessentially American foods. Whether firing up the grill or simply boiling up the world’s easiest dinner, hot dogs are bound to work their way into a your diet at one point or another. And whether you take them bathed in ketchup and mustard, or go more upscale with something like kimchi to up your Insta game, you are pretty much guaranteed to be biting into bonafide comfort food. But choose poorly and the nutritional pitfalls of your hot dog habit could make it much harder to hold onto your abs.
While no one should claim that hot dogs can be considered a superfood, their health quotient has improved in recent years thanks to a few companies that aren’t stuffing them with mystery meat and a oodles of additives. And when compared to cheesy burgers and hunks of T-bone, a hot dog can actually be one of the most calorie friendly additions to your cookout.
But when it comes time to hunt for a healthy (or, let’s face it, less unhealthy) hot dog that actually tastes good, it can be daunting to find one that fits the bill. That’s why we wanted to help by grabbing our tongs and setting out to find the finest franks of them all. Time to toast your buns.
The story here is that if there was ever a tube steak worthy of #cleaneating, this is it. Juicy grass-fed beef sourced from small scale organic farms is bundled up with an inspiring spice blend to give you some serious ammo for your grill. The main health argument for splurging on grass-fed links is the research showing the meat is lower in stuff you want less of like saturated fat and pro-inflammatory omega-6 fats and higher in health-boosting nutrients such as vitamin E, beta-carotene and heart-healthy omega-3 fats.
Nutrition per hot dog: 130 calories, 9g protein, 1g carbohydrates, 10g fat
This winner wiener should not just be celebrated for what it contains, a protein packed mix of antibiotic-free pork and beef, but also for what it doesn’t, namely questionable additives that sound like they belong more in a chemistry lab than on your grill. And at a humble 110 calories a dog, you’ve got room for extra toppings.
Nutrition per hot dog: 110 calories, 7g protein, 1g carbohydrates, 9g fat
If you like the idea of grilling up a calorie- and fat-stingy hot dog with plenty of muscle-building protein, this chicken dog is a stellar choice. You won’t find any w** mechanically separated meat here. It is just pure chicken breast and thigh meat that is imbued with a touch of smoky flavor. Bonus points for capping sodium levels at a respectable 230mg per dog.
Nutrition per hot dog: 70 calories, 11g protein, 1g carbohydrates, 2.5g fat
For when you just want a dog with big, bold beefy flavor that will hold its own under whatever condiments you pile on. The brand is praised for sourcing its meat from animals raised with tender care and these uncured (i.e. no synthetic nitrates) links are already cooked for you so a quick roll over the flames is all that is needed before you can plop it in a bun.
Nutrition per hot dog: 170 calories, 12g protein, 1g carbohydrates, 13g fat
Compared to many other “not dogs” out there, this plant-based sausage packs in healthy amounts of protein (mainly from peas, not the typical soy) and tastes close enough to the real it won’t leave you pondering “where’s the beef?” A study in the Journal of Nutrition showed that a higher intake of plant foods at the expense of some of the meat in a diet can slash the risk for death from certain diseases. With 500mg sodium this faux sausage is on the higher end so go easy elsewhere in your diet.
Nutrition per hot dog: 190 calories, 16g protein, 5g carbohydrates, 12g fat
Hebrew National enjoys a cult following among hot dog aficionados, and these lesser fat links won’t disappoint. The kosher beef dogs have classic flavor along with great snap on the outside and are plump and juicy on the inside—everything lower fat hot dogs usually aren’t. At just 100 calories in a link, you’ve got the okay to grill up a second one, which will give you a hit of extra protein.
Nutrition per hot dog: 100 calories, 5g protein, 2g carbohydrates, 8g fat
Chicken Hotdogs
Made with free-range, antibiotic-free chicken meat, these smoky-tasting dogs will keep your muscles well-fed by delivering twice as much protein as fat. And your ticker will appreciate there is about a third less saturated fat as that found in standard ball park links. Lean chicken breast is paired with some thigh meat to boost flavor and juiciness.
Nutrition per hot dog: 100 calories, 10g protein, 2g carbohydrates, 5g fat
With these full length dogs you won’t have to suffer the disappointment of starting out by biting into nothing but doughy bread. The Nutrition Facts panel screams zero carbs, which is a tip-off that the 100% grass-fed and certified humane beef has not been sullied by any sugar filler. Surprisingly, sweeteners like dextrose sneak their way into too many hot dogs.
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