Yes, hotdogs have a bad reputation, but it's not necessarily true anymore. With a focus on the dogs themselves, as well as the toppings you choose, you can enjoy this delicious treat in a healthier fashion. While there are only a few ways to cook your hotdogs, there are many options for making them healthier.
Dogs Do Matter
While the methods of preparation don't matter all that much when it comes to making hotdogs for your family, the types of hotdogs you decide to use will make a big impact on the taste and nutrition you are looking for. These days, you can find hotdogs made out of many ingredients. You can choose hotdogs made with beef, chicken, turkey, or pork, as well as vegetarian and vegan hotdogs. When you look at the variety available now, you'll wonder where to start! But, that's easy. Start by reading the label and choose the healthiest ingredients. Hotdogs have come a long way from decades past. Flavors have improved right along with the quality.
Not only are there hotdogs made with a variety of ingredients, some healthier than other, there are also different casings to choose from. You'll find some more crisp and provide a snap when you bite them and others that tend to be more along the chewy line. Depending on what kind of bite you want will determine the type of dog you should fix. Keep your family happy by trying a variety of different hotdogs. You'll soon find that everyone will have a favorite and be equally satisfied.
Healthier Toppings Make for Great Dogs
Just like the type of dog you use makes a difference, the toppings you choose can also change the taste of your hotdog. There are a wide variety of different combinations of toppings that compliment the hotdog. For the healthiest toppings, choose vegetables like tomatoes, banana peppers, and sauerkraut to name a few. Smashed pinto beans, diced onion, shredded lettuce, prepared mustard, and low fat sour cream are also healthier choices for toppings.
Be careful with toppings like chilli, cheese, and ketchup as these may be loaded with fat and sugars. If you can't get by without these fun toppings, cut back or use healthier varieties. For instance, instead of prepared chili, smash beans and sprinkle with chili powder. Mozzarella cheese is naturally lower in fat than regular sharp Cheddar. Make your own ketchup at home to control the sugar, or switch to a good mustard to skip the sugar entirely.
The Bun is the Enemy
Hotdogs themselves aren't necessarily unhealthy if you choose the right variety. The real enemy to your waistline and healthy eating may just be the bun. You can enjoy a good hotdog without the bun if you get creative. Wrap the hotdog in a batter made of panko crumbs and oven bake them to form a faux-corndog with all the crunchy texture with none of the fat of the bun or frying oil. Skip the standard sugar and fat loaded hot dog bun with wraps made of corn tortillas or even phyllo dough for a change. A piece of whole wheat or multi-grain bread would be a healthier choice as well.
If you're trying to duplicate the famous big city hotdog, remember to include those great toppings. You don't need to bun to do that! Just have fresh diced tomatoes, jalapenos, sauerkraut, diced onions, and lots of mustard ready to top the hotdog with, no matter what you're wrapping the hotdogs in.
Of course, you can totally switch out your idea of a hotdog in a bun by using it as an ingredient in another dish instead. For instance, choose a healthy hotdog with a snappy bite and cut them up in a batch of calico beans for a great main dish that your family will love. Macaroni and cheese with hotdog slices is a popular choice with kids. Choose whole wheat pasta and low fat cheese to make your dish healthier.
Preparing hotdogs at home gives you the opportunity to choose the healthiest dog and toppings along with the very best way to serve them. Fresh ingredients and less sugar and fat will make your hotdog meal healthier and tastier for your family.
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