Making Hot Dogs Healthier for All

Hot dogs are delicious and it is extremely difficult to resist a hot-off-the-grill hot dog. The problem is that this summer's great pleasure is not healthy, and is not good for many people, especially those with diabetes. You may also want to avoid it when you are counting calories and trying to trim your waistline a bit. However, going for a hot dog is a much better option than going with a bratwurst – you get only 150 calories from a hot dog but a bratwurst contains up to 285 calories. The good thing is that you can also ask the vendor to make some changes to your hot dog to make it even healthier. For instance:

• Always pick the right hot dog. What it means is that you need to pay special attention to the meat you are eating. Ensure that it is organic and does not contain nitrates. You will be better off going for grass-fed beef. Similarly, you should avoid eating a hot dog with overly processed ingredients. If it contains textured soy protein, it is better to avoid it and look for other alternatives.
• Avoid the bun, whenever possible. Skipping the bun is one simple and effective way to make your hot dogs healthier. Buns are bad because they are made using refined white flour. They also contain added sugar that makes them bad for diabetics. Even if you do not have diabetes, eating bun may lead to a spike in blood sugar levels. You will feel lethargic once your blood sugar levels crashes after a while. You will be much better off avoiding the bun and going for fresh lettuce as a healthy wrap.
• Opt for sauerkraut.  By having sauerkraut added to your hot dog, you can make it much healthier and delicious too. Fermented foods, like sauerkraut offer any amazing health benefits.  It provides you with healthy bacteria that improves digestion and prevents digestive problems.
• Avoid the BBQ sauce. Going for BBQ sauce or even the ketchup can make your hot dog unhealthy. BBQ sauce and ketchup provides you with additional salt and sugar that can lead to many health problems. A much better option would be to go for organic or plain stone ground mustard. You can also choose to go with freshly ground black pepper to add flavor to your hot dogs.
• Load up on vegetables. Adding extra vegetables can make your hot dog a lot healthier and easy to digest. Veggies are extremely beneficial for your overall health, and you can have them added to your hot dogs to get important nutrients in a delicious way. You enhance the flavor of your hot dogs by opting for eggplant, grilled zucchini, onions, and bell peppers. Sliced cucumbers and cherry tomatoes may also serve as great toppings.  These veggies provide you with extra fiber.

The fact of the matter is that hot dogs may not be the healthiest food option, but you can certainly make it better for your health. Just make some necessary changes and you can continue to enjoy this impressive summer treat.