Dog day afternoons: come and get 'em: the healthiest hot dogs for your summer BBQs

Men's Fitness, Sept, 2001

Seven billion. That's the number of hot dogs Americans devour between Memorial Day and Labor Day--equivalent to 25 wieners per man, woman and child. We throw back 150 million wieners on July Fourth alone. Sounds like good old-fashioned picnic run--until you read the package label. American hot dogs can contain up to 20 percent "mechanically separated meat," or MSM. The United States Department of Agriculture defines mechanically separated meat as a "paste-like, batter-like meat product" generated when bones and attached edible meat are forced through a fine sieve. Bon appetit!

The good news is that the USDA recently required hot dog manufacturers to list MSM on labels. Realizing that American consumers prefer their meat sans tendon and marrow, most manufacturers have abandoned the practice with beef-based dogs. (Despite rumors that wieners come from processed lips and sphincters, USDA law requires that beef hot dogs be made with whole-muscle cuts, such as brisket and rump.) Poultry's another story. Mechanically separated turkey and chicken are used heavily in reduced-fat and fat-free hot dogs. So while you're saving calories and fat grams, you may be consuming a few extra ingredients. We're not talking feathers and beaks, but it's not pure white meat, either.

Moreover, to prevent bacterial growth and preserve flavor and color, many hot dog manufacturers add nitrite salts. Nitrites are converted to nitrosamines in the body. In lab studies, when animals were fed large amounts of nitrites (in higher quantities than what's allowed in food), nitrosamines caused tumors. In all fairness, that's just in the lab; nitrosamines haven't been shown to cause cancer in humans. Plus, nitrates (converted to nitrites in the body) occur naturally in many foods, particularly vegetables.

If you're concerned, read labels when nitrites are used (often shown as "sodium nitrite"). Take note: Vitamins C and E inhibit nitrosamine formation, so load up on vitamin C-rich fruits and veggies and vitamin E-rich nuts, seeds and wheat germ. Nitrites are also a common trigger food for migraines. If you're prone to brain-stabbing headaches, you may want to forgo hot dogs altogether.

All this doesn't mean you have to give up an all-American favorite. After sampling dozens of dogs, we've come up with a list of wiener winners that encompasses beef, soy, chicken and turkey dogs. Our choice franks are low in fat; are excellent sources of protein, iron, zinc, niacin, riboflavin and thiamin; and, best of all, are completely free of mechanically separated parts.

Happy grilling.

1. HEBREW NATIONAL KOSHER 97 PERCENT FAT-FREE BEEF FRANKS

45 calories, 3g carbs, 6g protein, 1.5g fat (1g sat.)

The ideal wiener label: "100 percent fresh kosher beef with nothing artificial." Kosher meat is byproduct-free and touted for its quality and cleanliness. This wiener is longer than most, so buy extra-long buns. (Or merely dig in with a knife and fork, as your average hot dog bun contains 123 calories with 22 grams of carbs, four grams of protein and two grams of fat.)

Taste: As sinful as the original with a deep, smoky flavor. Some of our tasters commented that the flavor was too strong, but it's nothing a dab of ketchup can't cure.

2. BALL PARK FAT-FREE BEEF FRANKS

55 calories, 7g carbs, 6g protein, zero fat

Real beef flavor that definitely plumps when cooked. (We asked 'em, but Ball Park refuses to divulge their proprietary plumping ingredients.) Be sure to buy fat-free beef franks, not the light and fat-free versions made with mechanically separated fowl.

Taste: Rich flavor and meaty texture. Thicker than other brands, so each bite truly satisfies.

3. OSCAR MAYER LIGHT BEEF FRANKS

90 calories, 2g carbs, 5g protein, 6g fat (3g sat.)

Classic wieners made with 100 percent beef--as opposed to Oscar Mayer's light and fat-free varieties, made with mechanically separated turkey.

Taste: A bit processed-tasting, but retains the classic Oscar Mayer flavor. Even better with onions and ketchup.

4. BOAR'S HEAD BRAND LITE BEEF FRANKFURTERS

90 calories, zero carbs, 7g protein, 6g fat (2.5g sat.)

Ingredient lists don't get much simpler: beef, water, salt, flavorings and three sodium preservatives (phosphate, erythorbate, nitrite). Zero carbs means you can rightfully count on zero fillers.

Taste: By far the most "original-tasting" hot dog; tastes like a full-fat frank.

5. SMART DELI JUMBOS

80 calories, 3g carbs, 17g protein, zero fat

Made by Lightlife, creators of the first fat-free hot dog. These all-natural meat-free dogs are similar in flavor and texture to traditional hot dogs but with a blast of protein. One soy dog has the protein equivalent of almost three beef dogs. And along with the benefits of heart-healthy soy, there's an additional bonus: no nitrites.

Taste: Same texture as regular hot dogs. Do not overcook, as they become downright rubbery.

6. YVES VEGGIE DOGS

60 calories, 1g carbs, 11g proton zero fat

Made with soy protein, B vitamins, iron, zinc, magnesium and potassium, these dogs are like a multivitamin on a bun, with a kick of intense hickory-smoked flavor. Yves Veggie Chili Dogs are delicious too (50 calories, zero fat).