Is There Such a Thing as a Healthy Hot Dog?

Hot dog season is practically synonymous with summer, whether you’re grilling in the backyard or grabbing one at a ballgame. But traditional hot dogs are high in fat since they’re made from beef and pork trimmings; they also rely on sodium nitrite as a preservative, which can convert into cancer-linked compounds in the body. Rest assured, though, there are ways to partake in the summer festivities without derailing your health.

How to Do It: Hunting for a “healthier” hot dog can be a bit of a fool’s errand. Many chicken and turkey dogs still have plenty of sodium and saturated fat. And “uncured” or “no nitrites added” claims aren’t automatically better, since most rely on celery juice or powder, which converts into those same cancer-linked compounds. A better approach is to save hot dogs for special occasions rather than eating them all summer long.

The Benefits: You don’t have to give up old-fashioned hot dogs completely to protect your health. In fact, cutting out a food you enjoy can backfire and make your relationship with eating more complicated. So enjoying one at a cookout now and then, alongside foods like fruit or a salad, is a totally reasonable way to get through summer.