It might seem a fool’s errand to try to blend the words “healthy” and “hot dog” into the same sentence, but far be it from the Huffington Post to shy away from a challenge.
The hot dogs are broken down into most healthy/least healthy within beef, pork, turkey, chicken and vegetarian categories.
Of course the ones I loved most growing up are rated least healthy — because the things that make the beloved national brands such delicious memories of our childhoods (meat, curing, saturated fats and sodium) are the same things that should make any diet-conscious person wary.
I mostly avoid hot dogs (and all processed meats) now because of my age and cardiovascular numbers. But if I’m at a cookout where they are grilling dogs, I’ll have one or two.
Or, as one nutritionist told HuffPo:
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.”
I really miss being able to eat whatever I want. It’s one of the only things I can get wistful about when I ponder growing older.
