Are organic hot dogs OK

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated November 18, 2024

Contributions sourced from

10 Healthiest Store-Bought Hot Dogs, Ranked

The next frank is the first to appear from natural and organic meat brand Applegate. Applegate Naturals' Beef Hot Dogs are an excellent option that give you that beefy flavor but still only come out to 100 calories, 8 grams of total fat, 3.5 grams of saturated fat, and 480 milligrams of sodium.

These beef hot dogs are a great choice because they're remarkably low on saturated fats. You aren't going to find many hot dogs at the grocery store that have less, save for chicken and turkey dog variants. Doctors have long recommended cutting down on saturated fat consumption and replacing them with healthier natural and unsaturated fats in order to achieve a more balanced diet.

It's also worth noting that while uncured and all natural, these beef hot dogs are not organic. Despite being made by Applegate, the product falls under the Naturals sub-brand and not Applegate Organics, which is a distinction worth being aware of before you do your shopping.

Can You Eat Hot Dogs While Pregnant?

Hot dogs are a summertime and cookout favorite amongst adults and kids alike. They are delicious, easy to make, and topping options are endless. But are hot dogs safe to eat during pregnancy?

Pregnancy is a time when what to eat and what not to eat is a big focus. Its important to be food safe and eat a variety of nutritious foods to support a healthy pregnancy. Im dedicating this post to discussing whether or not pregnant women can safely eat hot dogs.

Can You Eat Hot Dogs While Pregnant?

If youre craving hot dogs while pregnant, youre not alone. From my experience, its a super common pregnancy craving. The good news? Hot dogs can be safely enjoyed during pregnancy as long as they are fully cooked before eating.

Hot dogs are a type of processed meat like deli meats, pepperoni, and sausage. Heating these processed meats before consumption helps to reduce the risk of contracting food-borne illnesses like listeriosis from listeria. Listeria is a harmful bacteria that could cause problems ranging from flu-like symptoms to pregnancy complications in the worst-case scenarios.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends cooking meats like hot dogs to a minimum internal temperature of 165 F before eating.

Are Hot Dogs Healthy?

As mentioned above, hot dogs are a type of processed meat. Bacon, sausage, deli meats, ham, and pepperoni also fall into the category of processed meats. Hot dogs CAN fit into an overall healthy diet, just like any other food often labeled unhealthy. Keep in mind there is no true definition of healthy.

While you may have a negative connotation with the word processed regarding food, these types of meats can be a really easy and nutritious protein source in a meal or snack for pregnancy. In addition, almost all meat is processed in some capacity. Even the grass-fed, organic meat versions go through some form of processing. The primary concern about highly processed (well say) meats is related to questions about an association with increased cancer risk.

There are no significant associations between processed meat intake and increased risk of death. While some questionable and problematic research shows an association with cancer risk, others show the opposite. Dive deeper into the research on this topic with us inside The Prenatal Nutrition Library.

What Kind Of Hot Dogs Can A Pregnant Woman Eat?

Hot dogs can be safely enjoyed during pregnancy. Its a good idea to eat a variety of protein sources while pregnant and include hot dogs in moderation during pregnancy.

As mentioned earlier, you can decrease your risk of exposure to listeria by only eating hot dogs or deli meat during pregnancy that has been cooked until steaming hot, with an internal temperature of at least 165 F. Eating the cooked hot dogs while theyre still hot is recommended, avoiding any that have been sitting around at room temperature for longer than 1 hour in a hot environment.

There are so many hot dog options at the grocery store. Its hard to know which one is best. Lets discuss some varieties of hot dogs and alternatives to help you navigate the grocery store.

Hot Dog Varieties and Alternatives for Pregnancy

Chicken Dogs

Did you know there are hot dogs made from chicken meat? Chicken dogs tend to have less sodium but still pack in flavor and protein. Increase the fiber by serving your chicken dog inside a whole-wheat hot dog bun.

You can find even more delicious and nutritious meal ideas inside my app, The Prenatal Nutrition Library, or full trimester-specific meal plans!

Turkey Dogs

Turkey dogs are another alternative to the classic hot dog. Like a traditional beef hot dog, turkey dogs are safe to enjoy during pregnancy if thoroughly cooked first. We recommend choosing organic, uncured hot dogs when possible.

Note: Turkey dogs are not healthier than traditional beef hot dogs. Beef has more iron and B12, for starters, both of which you need more of during pregnancy.

Veggie Dogs

Veggie dogs, or plant-based hot dogs, are a popular hot dog alternative for meat-eaters and vegetarians. There are many different kinds to choose from. Most of them will be lower in protein than animal-based hot dogs. Some brands have better quality ingredients than others. Many veggie dogs are made from soy which is not ideal as a main protein source on a day to day basis.

All-Beef Hot Dogs

All-beef hot dogs can be a great choice to enjoy during pregnancy. The best all-beef hot dog options are made of 100% grass-fed beef and some spices. As mentioned above, with the turkey dogs, we recommend choosing organic and uncured hot dogs when it is available.

As long as they are cooked until steaming hot, hot dogs can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a healthy pregnancy diet.

If youre craving hot dogs, youre in luck! You dont have to eliminate them from your pregnancy diet. If theyre cooked until steaming hot or 165 F, feel free to enjoy incorporating hot dogs into your pregnancy diet.

For more information on safely consuming meats during pregnancy, check out my post, Can pregnant women eat medium rare steak?

Also, sign up for The Prenatal Nutrition Library, where you can search THOUSANDS of foods, nutrients, and supplements + the community forum questions and get a quick, clear, evidence-based answer. Want to try a sample first? Download The Prenatal Nutrition Library app for FREE onAppleorAndroid to peek inside!

Can Dogs Eat Hot Dogs?

Your dog would probably love to chow down on a hot dog. But is that a good idea? Hot dogs are full of ingredients that are toxic for dogs or unhealthy for them to consume.

The Problems With Hot Dogs

Many hot dogs contain ingredients that are not good for dogs, such as sodium nitrate, which has been linked to cancer, monosodium glutamate (MSG), and sugars or artificial sweeteners. Hot dogs also contain seasonings, such as garlic and onion powder, and these people foodscan be toxic to dogs.

The biggest problem with hot dogs, though, is salt. According to the National Academy of Sciences, a dog weighing 33 pounds only needs 200 milligrams (mg) of sodium per day. The average hot dog contains more than 500 mg of sodium, so feeding your dog only one-half of a hot dog would probably put them way over their daily sodium limit.

Feeding a dog too much sodium can lead to dehydration. And over time, excess sodium can lead to high blood pressure, just as it can in humans. Hot dogs can also be a choking hazard, especially for big dogs that might try to swallow them without chewing them.

What if Your Dog Eats a Hot Dog by Accident?

If your dog snags a hot dog while youre not looking, dont panic. Just one will probably not cause harm. Your dog might get a bellyache or have some other digestive problems, like diarrhea, but this should pass within one day. You only need to call the vet if the diarrhea persists, or if your dog is vomiting with diarrhea, as this could lead to extreme dehydration.

Make sure that your dog has plenty of water available since all that salt in the hot dog will probably make them thirsty.

Alternatives to Hot Dogs

Because they contain so many added ingredients that are not healthy for dogs, hot dogs are not a good choice for your pooch. At a cookout, if you want to give your dog a safe treat, its best to give them some plain beef, pork, or chicken that has no salt or other seasoning on it. Just make sure to cut the meat up into bite-sized pieces.