Curious how a dietitian enjoys hot dogs?
Three ways:
1. Fruit and vegetable toppings.
2. Whole wheat hot dog buns.
3. Grilled outside for that “ballpark” flavor.
That’s right.
I balance these mouth-watering summer favorites with plenty of nutrient-rich ingredients. I celebrate their goodness and great taste without a second of stress about sodium, fat or calories. Summer just isn’t summer without my favorite all-beef hot dogs on the grill!
So let’s celebrate!
1. Protein provider. My favorite all-beef hot dogs provide 8 grams of protein and this protein helps keep muscles strong and healthy. Hot dog protein typically ranges between 5 and 10 grams per hot dog.
2. Vehicle for whole grains. Reach for 100% whole wheat hot dog buns instead of white refined, because whole-grains provide a huge health boost. Not only do they provide more vitamins, minerals and usually more fiber, but whole grains may help reduce risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
3. Conduit for consuming more fruits and vegetables. Think about it…you enjoy fruit and vegetable-based salsa and toppings on beef tacos, burritos and deli sandwiches, why not on hot dogs?! Just FYI, the average adult needs at least 2 cups fruit and 2 1/2 cups vegetables every day. Every little bit of those fruits and vegetables adds up, so start sprinkling and topping and stuffing away on those all-beef hot dogs!
4. Fastest of the fast. Nothing is faster on the grill than hot dogs. Plop, turn, remove. Hot dogs are already fully cooked when you buy them. You’re just reheating. Toast those whole wheat hot dog buns on the grill, too, if you want.
5. FTQ. That’s “food truck quality.” You know how tacos, dogs, and everything under the sun is a food truck trend and favorite? Well now YOU can serve up FTQ hot dogs with customized toppings right at your own backyard grill! Here are my three favorites – Vietnamese Hot Dogs, Hawaiian Hot Dogs, Chicago Hot Dogs.
- ½ cup light mayonnaise
- 2-3 tablespoons Sriracha sauce
- ½ large cucumber, thinly sliced
- ¾ cup shredded carrots
- ½ cup fresh mint leaves
- 6 all-beef hot dogs
- 6 whole wheat hot dog buns
- Make spicy mayonnaise by mixing mayonnaise and Sriracha sauce together in a small bowl. Spread mixture on buns then add hot dog. Arrange cucumber slices, shredded carrot and mint leaves over hot dog.
- 1 ¾ cup Pineapple Corn Salsa*
- 6 all-beef hot dogs
- 6 whole wheat hot dog buns
- *Pineapple Corn Salsa
- 1 can (20 ounces) pineapple tidbits in 100% juice, drained
- 1 can (15.25 ounces) sweet corn kernels, drained
- 1 very large red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 cup red onion, finely chopped
- ⅓ cup green onion, finely chopped
- 1 large jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely minced
- ⅓ – ½ cup cilantro, finely chopped
- 4-6 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 heaping teaspoon lime zest
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Top each cooked hot dog in a bun with about ¼ cup salsa.
- To make salsa, toss pineapple, corn, red bell pepper, red onion, green onion, jalapeno pepper and cilantro together in a large bowl. In a separate small bowl, whisk together lime juice, lime zest, garlic powder, cumin and salt. Pour over pineapple-corn mixture and toss lightly. Adjust seasonings to your liking. Refrigerate leftovers in tightly covered container.Yields 5 ½ cups salsa
- 1-2 tomatoes, thinly sliced
- 4 tablespoons white onion, finely chopped
- 6 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 6 thin dill pickle spears
- Hot sport peppers
- Yellow mustard
- Celery salt
- 6 all-beef hot dogs
- 6 whole wheat hot dog buns
- Divide tomatoes, onion, sweet pickle relish and dill spears between 6 hot dogs on bun. Add desired amount of sport peppers and mustard. Sprinkle with celery salt.
Disclosure: As a proud supporter of Indiana Agriculture, I’m happy to mention this is a sponsored post for Indiana’s farmers, from livestock, soybean and corn farmers, to our mint growers. (Indiana is one of the top mint-producing states!)