What's the Healthiest Hot Dog for Kids?

Updated on August 05, 2015
J.P. asks from Alexandria, VA
27 answers

I'm looking for beef hot dog recommendations.

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B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

Yeah, there's no such thing as a healthy hotdog.
That being said, when we have them (and that's not often), we like Hebrew National beef hotdogs.

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L.M.

answers from Chicago on

Any without nitrates/nitrites. I think Hebrew is one. My kids don't like the way those taste so we eat hot dogs very infrequently.

O.H.

answers from Phoenix on

Read the package. We don't buy them often but sometimes I catch them on sale and buy the beef Ball Park. Good luck.

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S.T.

answers from Washington DC on

hot dogs aren't healthy. they're a treat.
we eat nathans or hebrew national when we're treating ourselves to hot dogs.
khairete
S.

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C.W.

answers from Santa Barbara on

I have been to "hot dog factories"....so glad I had stopped eating them in 1988.

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M.S.

answers from Seattle on

Another vote for Hebrew National. We like the jumbo ones that come fours to a pack, but the smaller ones that come eight to a pack are good too.

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L..

answers from Raleigh on

We don't buy them often, but when we do we get Hebrew National. None of them are healthy though.

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D.K.

answers from Pittsburgh on

No such thing. However if you must buy them, Hebrew National.

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V.B.

answers from Jacksonville on

Nathan's or Hebrew National.

In the past 3 years they've practically doubled in price though, which means we don't enjoy them as often as we used to. In the past, if we grilled burgers we also ALWAYS threw on hotdogs, too. Now, not so much. (They used to be $3.50 -$3.99 per pack, now in our area they are $5.99-$6.99 per pack).

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J.G.

answers from Chicago on

Trader joes does all natural, all beef, no nitrates. My kids prefer their chicken dogs.

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T.S.

answers from Washington DC on

I buy Hebrew National for my son because as hotdogs go, they're not terrible. They DO have nitrites though (it's part of meat curing, in pepperoni, hotdogs, sausage, etc. even healthy brands unless they SAY they don't), which I can't eat.

There are nitrite free hotdogs at trader Joe's that I get sometimes. DS doesn't like them so much, but sometimes I want to have one too :)

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D.B.

answers from Boston on

Kosher hot dogs cannot be made from any "questionable" beef - any kosher product (beef, chicken, turkey etc.) must be made from entirely blemish-free meat. So I'll echo the chorus below about Hebrew National.

I'm concerned about nitrates/nitrites. You have to freeze products that don't contain preservatives but hot dogs thaw quickly, and can go on the grill direct from the freezer.

But no hot dog is made from the prime cuts of meat, as others have said. Like Buffalo Chicken Wings and any kind of sausage, they were created from the parts of the animal that no one was buying!

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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

I love the taste of Nathan's or any kosher hot dogs, however I suppose some will say the kind blended with turkey, or chicken or who knows what are better It's not really considered top of the health food shelf. But sure fun to eat. And if you want to really enjoy them and listen to your heart pump fast eat them with bacon and cheese and lots of relish and onions and oh did I mention my husband likes refried beans on them?oh stop me, I'm running out the door to find one.

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K.M.

answers from Fayetteville on

I must have missed the part of your question where you asked people *if* you should eat hot dogs!!! Stick to the question, people!!!

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L.U.

answers from Seattle on

Hot dogs aren't healthy.

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S.F.

answers from Rochester on

We have purchased hotdogs from a rancher local to us that produces organic grass fed beef. Perhaps there is something similar in your area?

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M.F.

answers from Houston on

We buy Hebrew national. I don't eat beef(or any hotdogs) and I know they are not healthy but I still buy them for my kids especially during the summer and then the fall for roasting on a stick. They don't eat them often so I am ok with it and I know there is not mystery meat in there.

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N.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

When I'm going to eat hot dogs at home I can only eat Hebrew National. We get them at Walmart for about $3. There are 8 in the package I think.

All other hot dogs burp up for days. These are kosher but that isn't a need I have. They just work in my system and tummy better.

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C.V.

answers from Columbia on

Hot dogs are generally junk food. They're high fat and sodium.

If you're looking for a hot dog that's actually made with meat, low nitrate, and not the scraps that come out of the saws, your best bet is Nathan's or Hebrew National. I find that they are too rich for my budget, and taste too rich for my palate...so I buy the "Ball Park" franks and don't eat them often.

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C.N.

answers from Baton Rouge on

Hebrew National or Nathan's.

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J.T.

answers from New York on

Whole Foods has a turkey dog that is just turkey and some seasoning. With ketchup, they're great.

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O.O.

answers from Los Angeles on

Look for the hot dogs without nitrates.
Those are really the only "healthy" hot dogs.

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S.W.

answers from Detroit on

hebrew national for sure. :-)

J.N.

answers from Atlanta on

None. Lunch meat would be a better option. Something minimally processed and no bologna.

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

I purchase all beef hot dogs for my dog treats and to use when I give meds to my dogs.

We don't eat them. I can't stand the thought of what's really in them!

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J.M.

answers from Boston on

Nitrate free, Boars Head or Applegate

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J.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

something without nitrates/nitrites.

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