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.
![A sealed pack of six sausages is placed against a background with alternating red and yellow rays](https://cdn.statically.io/img/img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/huffpost/image/629a514f2100001a005ecb66.png?downsize=700%3A%2A&output-quality=auto&output-format=auto)
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.”
![Three people dress casually and sit while sharing hot dogs. One person pours mustard on a hot dog. They appear to be enjoying a casual meal together](https://cdn.statically.io/img/img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2024-07/2/18/asset/741496c26b06/sub-buzz-5690-1719946189-1.jpg?downsize=700%3A%2A&output-quality=auto&output-format=auto)
Another important factor is sodium content. “Choose hot dogs that have less than 400 mg (or less than 20% of the daily value) of sodium per serving,” said Gretchen Zimmermann, senior director of cardiometabolic care for Vida Health. (The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults limit sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg per day.)
![Three hot dogs with ketchup and mustard on a white plate placed on a checkered tablecloth](https://cdn.statically.io/img/img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2024-07/2/18/asset/06094fa0dd33/sub-buzz-1394-1719946219-1.jpg?downsize=700%3A%2A&output-quality=auto&output-format=auto)
The same goes for veggie dogs: Choose dogs with minimally processed ingredients, such as tofu, instead of heavily processed soy protein concentrate or isolate.
![Two gourmet hot dogs topped with diced onions, pickles, lettuce, mustard, and a red sauce on a plate](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2024-07/2/18/asset/812d66168c3f/sub-buzz-1447-1719946236-1.jpg)
To save you time scanning nutrition labels, here are the healthiest and the least healthy store-bought hot dogs, according to nutritionists.
A healthy beef option: Organic Valley Uncured 100% Beef Hot Dogs
![Package of Organic Valley Organic Uncured 100% Grass-Fed Beef Hot Dogs, 10 oz. The label notes high protein content and no antibiotics or added nitrates](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/huffpost/image/629a497922000070034f600a.jpg)
A healthy beef option: Applegate Naturals Do Good Dog Uncured Beef Hot Dogs
![Applegate Naturals uncured beef hot dog package with label details, including nutrition facts and claims of 100% natural, grass-fed, and land-regenerative practices](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/huffpost/image/629a497b2200006b034f600c.jpg)
An unhealthy beef option to avoid: Ball Park Brand Prime Uncured Beef Franks
![Ball Park Prime uncured beef franks package, showing a hot dog with nutritional facts and USDA Prime Beef certified label](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/huffpost/image/629a497c2200005d004f600e.webp)
A healthy pork blend: Applegate Naturals Natural Stadium Beef and Pork Hot Dogs
![Applegate Naturals Natural Stadium Uncured Beef & Pork Hot Dog packaging with nutrition facts, ingredients, and product claims on the front](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/huffpost/image/629a497e2100001a005ecb54.png)
A healthy pork blend: Seemore La Dolce Beet-a Pork Sausages
![Seemore La Dolce Beet-A Sausage with pork, fresh beets, garlic, and fennel in a vacuum-sealed package](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/huffpost/image/629a49802200005e004f6010.webp)
An unhealthy pork blend to avoid: Kayem Beef & Pork Hot Dogs
![Package of Kayem Beef & Pork Hot Dogs featuring six hot dogs, labeled "No By-Products," "No Fillers," and "No Artificial Flavors," with instructions to keep refrigerated](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/huffpost/image/629a49831e00000afd1b6358.png)
A healthy turkey option: Organic Valley Uncured Pasture-Raised Turkey Hot Dogs
![Organic Valley Organic Uncured Pasture-Raised Turkey Hot Dogs packaging, highlighting 8g protein, 20% less fat, and no nitrate/nitrite added](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/huffpost/image/629a498521000031005ecb56.jpg)
A healthy turkey option: Applegate Natural Uncured Turkey Hot Dog
![Applegate Naturals turkey hot dog packaging. Includes nutrition facts, label claims like "No Antibiotics Ever," and a USDA Organic seal. Net wt. 10 oz (283g)](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/huffpost/image/629a49882500004300472dfb.jpg)
An unhealthy turkey option to avoid: Ball Park Brand White Meat Smoked Turkey Franks
![Packaging for Ball Park White Meat Smoked Turkey Franks. It highlights 100% white turkey meat, no artificial colors, flavors, or by-products. 45 calories per frank](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/huffpost/image/629a498c1e00006f101b635a.png)
A healthy chicken option: Applegate Organics Great Organic Uncured Chicken Hot Dog
![Applegate Organic Chicken Hot Dog packaging. Highlights include "No Antibiotics Ever", "Humanely Raised", USDA Organic and Whole30 Approved labels, and nutritional facts](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/huffpost/image/629a498f1e000037101b635c.png)
A healthy chicken option: Bilinski’s Mild Italian Chicken Sausage with Bell Peppers
![Package of Bilinski's Organic Mild Italian with Bell Peppers Chicken Sausage. Text highlights no casing, 13g protein, organic, no antibiotics, fully cooked, and gluten-free](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/huffpost/image/629a49912500004300472dfd.png)
An unhealthy chicken option to avoid: Gwaltney Original Chicken Hot Dogs
![Package of Gwaltney Great Dogs, 3-pound family pack of original bun-size chicken hot dogs, 24 count, labeled with "40% less fat" and "America's #1"](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/huffpost/image/629a49942200005e004f6012.webp)
A healthy vegetarian option: Upton Naturals Updog Vegan Hot Dog
![Package of Upton's Naturals Updog vegan hot dogs showing an illustrated man with a mustache and nutritional information stating "Good Source of Protein"](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/huffpost/image/629a499521000030005ecb58.jpg)
A healthy vegetarian option: Jack & Annie’s Jackfruit Sausages
![Packaging of jack & annie's apple sausage, made from real, whole plants. The package shows sausages through a transparent section and a character holding a large sausage](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/huffpost/image/629a49971e0000eeeb1b635e.png)
An unhealthy vegetarian option to avoid: Lightlife Smart Dogs
![Lightlife Smart Dogs package showing plant-based hot dogs, labeled with 8g protein, 0g sat fat, and non-GMO certification](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/huffpost/image/629a49991e00006f101b6360.jpg)
What if your favorite hot dog is one of the “unhealthy” options listed above?
![Close-up of a person adding mustard to a hot dog at an outdoor gathering, with blurred background of food and decor](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2024-07/2/19/asset/564ed2c5bfeb/sub-buzz-979-1719946955-2.jpg)
This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
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