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Try
healthier alternatives to standard hot dogs
June 22, 2006
Suzanne Havala Hobbs
The
dog days are upon us again.
In the month of July alone – National Hot Dog Month
– Americans can be counted on to eat more than 2 billion
franks, according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council.
Hot dogs are symbols of fun and summertime, and part of their
appeal is that they’re so simple to buy, prepare and
serve. They come precooked, so they take only minutes to grill
or boil in a pan. Kids love them. You can hold a hot dog and
bun in your hand, and there’s little to clean up afterwards.
There’s a lot to like about hot dogs.
But if you’re big on hot dogs, you should consider replacing
old time meat franks with the meatless alternatives available
in almost any grocery store these days.
Why?
Because the traditional kinds are bad for your health.
From a nutritionist’s viewpoint, a hot dog is a little
missile of artery-clogging saturated fat. Hot dogs are high
in sodium. And most contain nitrite or nitrate preservatives
added to keep meat from turning gray but shown to form cancer-causing
nitrosamines as well.
In comparison, new soy-based, meatless dogs are very low in
saturated fat and free of cholesterol, nitrites and nitrates.
The sodium content of popular brands varies, but some veggie
dogs have less than half the sodium of regular dogs, more
iron and as much as double the protein.
Of course, the big test is taste.
I like every veggie dog I’ve ever tried, but I do have
favorites. Among them: Morningstar Farms Veggie Dogs, Yves
Veggie Wieners and Lightlife Tofu Pups or Smart Dogs.
Natural foods stores carry several brands of meatless hot
dogs, and most large supermarkets carry at least one or two.
In natural foods stores, you’ll find them in the refrigerator
case near the other soy foods. In conventional supermarkets,
you’ll usually find them in the refrigerator case near
the dairy foods or in the freezer case alongside the frozen
waffles and egg substitutes.
If you don’t see them, just ask. If your store doesn’t
carry them, ask the manager to consider stocking them.
Try different brands for yourself and see which you like best.
Some veggie dogs hold up better than others to grilling, but
most are similar to traditional hot dogs in flavor, texture
and color.
Eat your veggie hot dogs on whole wheat buns, and add whatever
condiments you like. Use them to make beans and franks, too.
If you’re invited to a cookout, bring a package of veggie
dogs along.
Can you find fat-free regular hot dogs in supermarkets? Sure,
but meatless is still the way to go. Here’s why. In
addition to advantages already mentioned:
* The mechanized meat processing systems used to make traditional
hot dogs can introduce central nervous tissue into the dogs,
increasing the risk of exposure to prions believed to cause
mad cow disease.
* Meat hot dogs can have high levels of harmful listeria bacteria,
according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety
and Inspection Service. The agency recommends that “persons
at risk may choose to avoid eating hot dogs or thoroughly
reheat them before eating.”
* Eating red meat is associated with greater risk of colon
and prostate cancers.
* Soy substitutes for meat may reduce the risk of coronary
artery disease.
Now’s the time to give meatless hot dogs a try. Make
the switch, fully enjoy eating your veggie dogs and make them
a part of your summer fun.
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