Only When I'm Desperate.....

....which is more often than I'd like to admit...do I feed my kids hot dogs.  But when I do, I try to buy stuff that's at least a little better for them than a nitrate-filled Oscar Mayer. 

There's a whole world of "healthy" dogs out there and they come in organic, grass-fed, nitrate/nitrite free, antibiotic free and of course, meat free varieties.  And they've come along way from the rubbery, tasteless, don't even want a second bite, alternative dogs of old.

Nitrates, by the way, are typically used to 'cure' meat and keep it from spoiling, but the chemical sodium nitrite is a known carcinogen (it reacts with amino acids during digestion to create cancer causing nitrosamines) and it is recommended to limit consumption, especially in kids.  Natural preservatives from sources like celery, cabbage and beets are good alternatives, although the meat does not have the trademark pinkish color (think bologna) that we are used to seeing in meat.

Here's a sampling of dogs you can dig:

• Applegate Farms Great Organic Hot Dog.  The New York Times voted this the top dog in a showdown of natural wieners last summer.  Made from grass-fed beef, these tasty treats are truly healthier, with less fat and higher omega-3 fatty acids than conventional dogs.
• Niman Ranch Fearless Franks are grass fed for 14 to 18 months and then grain finished for the rich flavor that we've come to expect in beef.
• Organic Prairie Uncured Beef Hot Dogs are smoked using celery and other vegetables in a natural curing process.  (and they're from Wisconsin based Organic Valley!)
• Smart Dogs are a meatless alternative.  I've heard that Jen at Ideal Bite is fond of soy dogs.  I tried 'em out on Drew when he was younger but they didn't go over so well.  Not my favorite either but it's good to have options.

If you just can't stomach traditional dogs, there are plenty of chicken and turkey sausages that kids love:

• Sausages by Amy  We keep a stock of Apple & Gouda Cheese Chicken Sausages in the freezer at all times!  They taste great and are relatively low-fat (5 grams each).
• aidells sausages come in awesome flavors like mango and pesto but are much higher in fat (12 - 16 grams each).

Last but not least, here's the one I really can't believe I bought....MorningStar Farms soy-based veggie corn dogs!!  You know what?  The kids loved 'em and even I thought they were kinda tasty!

It's hard to avoid hot dogs when you've got young kids - but I think it's smart to seek out some of the healthier options - they cost a bit more but it's worth it.  If you want to really get to the meat of the matter, check out this hot dog comparison chart (Download hot_dog_comparison.pdf ) to see where your favorite ranks.