Good Fake Hotdogs?

I love Eckrich hotdogs. Found them at my local grocery store. They have no fillers, by-products, or artificial anything and taste incredible. But I don't know much about nitrates.

We've had those fake hotdogs, and they are pretty gross! If you have a grocery store with specialty stuff, or have a health food store near you, we've tried some nitrate-free brands: Coleman & Applegate. They can be pricey, but I sometimes stock up and freeze them when they are on sale.

try the beef uncured hot dogs from the health food store. they are sooooo good.
they run about $5 but worth it for your health. i would suggest avoiding the turkey dogs. they are much cheaper but they are nasty unless you love turkey. they do not taste like hot dogs to me.

read this article: http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/Quality-Safety/Nitrite...

they're just trying to make money off you.

This is why you shouldn't eat hotdogs while pregnant: http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/l...
and even then, it's just fine if they're completely reheated. If you're worried, buy a meat thermometerhttp://www.amazon.com/CDN-Proaccurate-Stainless-Digital-T...

This is why toddlers shouldn't eat hotdogs: http://kidshealth.org/kid/watch/er/choking.html
hotdogs are still the number 1 choking hazard in kids under 5 years old. They suggest cutting the hotdog into pieces lengthwise. I just watch closely and my family is not allowed to give the toddler hotdogs when I'm not in the room.

Hi Gillian,

I called my local health food store (Whole Foods) and they have regular hotdogs without the additives. They will be more expensive, of course, than your average hot dog at the grocery store, but if you're into hotdogs but want to avoid the dangerous additives, it's worth it.

Most grocery stores (especially those with a large 'organic' food variety) will carry 'all natural' lunch meats and/or hot dogs. Check the labels, but usually they will be nitrate-free. I believe anything organic is as well, but don't quote me on that, since that could just mean they feed the animals organic food, but still add nitrates or whatever. That whole thing is rather confusing. Warning though! They are WAY more expensive usually. I sometimes end up paying $5 for a 6 (or is it 8) pk of hot dogs that are 'all natural'. It's quite rediculous really.

Whole Foods sells uncured, organic hot dogs that are nitrate free, and have healthy lunchmeat choices, too.

I'm with Taryn. Even some main stream grocery stores, if you look really carefully at every available hot dog, will have one brand that is a regular hot dog but nitrate free. Look carefully at the label. It will say so. Best bet, tho, is a health food store. My really picky daughter will eat them.

I love Morningstar Farms' veggie hot dog (less fat than meat ones). Even my kids and husband will eat them. But I heard the company is no longer making them (and many of their other products due to some manufacturer trouble). If you can find any of those left in the store I'd recommend them. The texture may be a little chewier than you're used to.

Why not try the nitrate free ones? Expensive, but worth it. It's still processed meat, but hey, hotdogs are delicious every now and again. I also like the turkey dogs, but they, too, have nitrates. Tofu dogs are good (I think) but my family did not like them. You can also get cold cuts that are nitrate free, but those are much harder to find! I didn't care for the "veggie" dogs myself.

Hotdogs and coldcuts are fine in moderation. Try having them only 1-2 times a week. Substitute other meats the rest of the week (ground beef in the mac & cheese instead of hotdogs, leftover roast for sandwich meat, etc).

It might be worth it for you to get the nitrate free ones, but the cost is going to limit you anyway. If it (hotdogs) is something you enjoy, then make the most of it when you have it, and the remember to not overindulge.

try some of the kosher brands a little more expensive but a lot less parts and addatives

Ever read The Jungle?? I would avoid hotdogs all together, even when not pregnant! :) That said, Lightlife makes a decent one, Morningstar. For coldcuts, I'd try Yves brand. The bologna one isn't bad. As with anything new like this, you've got to load up the dog with stuff you like, cheese, pickles, onions, relish, chili, whatever...you guys will get used to the taste. Think of this as simply a transition.

THere is tofu hotdogs. You can find them at Smiths or the
health food store. They don't taste exactly like a regular hot dog, but the benefits are really good. I haven't had a real hotdog for almost 5 years. so I think these are ok. If he gets used to these now, it won't be a hard transition later.

We give our girls a real hot dog that is nitrate free. You can buy them at whole foods or any store like that. They taste good, they are just not "pink" from the nitrates.

I HATE fake hot dogs too. So recently, I tried fat free turkey dogs. They are the closest thing. Throw some onions on there, and they're alright. It's like you have to go into it not expecting the hot dog to taste..well, like a hot dog! Keep trying!
I craved hot dogs too when I was pregnant. An ocasional splurge wont be that bad. Just don't do it a lot!

Hi Gillian,

I know you already posted an update, but had to throw in my two cents. I'm a vegetarian, but that doesn't mean I automatically like all of the fake stuff- I'm with you, I've had my share of really gross ones. The texture is what makes the difference.

I wanted to throw another vote out for the Morningstar ones. I haven't bought them for awhile, so hope they still make them. They are sold frozen with the other Morningstar stuff (they used to also make fake corndogs- awesome).

Second choice would be the Lightlife ones, they are decent. But Morningstar was great. We have non-vegetarian friends who ate and liked those.