Hot Dog Options?

Was wondering if anyone knew of a tasty "light" hot dog?  I like mine with just mustard and onions and I found a good light bun (can't think of the name right now, but I'll recognize the package.  Sara Lee maybe?) so all I am missing is a good tasting weiner and I think I could have one guilt-free!  The plan is to pack my own hot dog for bowling night so I'm not tempted when everyone else orders their huge "Nathan's" dogs from the snack bar.  But I tried some turkey dogs a couple of years ago and ...well, they weren't very good.  But maybe they've made some improvements since then, or there is a certain brand that is better? I've thought about trying Smart dogs but they are pretty expensive and I'd hate to waste the money on something no one will eat.  Thanks!

I like the Hebrew National 97% fat free beef dogs  

They have great flavor and texture, and no nasty additives.  Only 45 calories too.  However, this is a rare treat for me because I have to avoid salt for medical reasons.

My absolute favorite replacement for hot dogs is the Johnsenville Cheddar Brats the turkey ones.  OMG they are so good.  Only 120 calories a pop.  I usually eat two.  It's frustrating the stupid bun is 110 calories thats almost as much as the brat!  Add some baked potato wedges and we are talking 560-600 calorie dinner.  Very filling and very satisfying IMO.

Man...you two were quick!  Thank you!  You both did a good job of selling me on your picks.  Now I have to resist trying them both...at the same time, lol.  I just hope my grocery store carries at least one of them. 

foreverme...if you like two, here's an idea.  Use a hamburger bun instead of a hot dog bun...I think they are only about 10 calores more...Anyway, toast the bun and put the two sides on a plate, side by side.  Cut your cooked hotdog into bitesize pieces and layer over the bun, then top with your usual fixings and eat with a fork.  It will be enough bread for both wienies with a few bites of just meat...which I like, too.  My dad used to do this when I was a kid.  He used regular loaf bread and topped it all with canned chili and called it a scrambled chili dog.  He thought he was a pretty creative chef...and I guess he was since it kept us kids from complaing about not having a "real" bun.

I'm glad I read this post.  I'm not overly fond of hot-dogs.  My Grandpa used to serve me and my brother boiled wiennies every day for lunch.  Every day!  Not fried, but boiled.  And plain potato chips.    But now, reading these solutions to alternate form of the wienie beast, I just might try them again.  Not boiled.

The best hot dog in the world is one in the bottom of the trash can!!!...lol.  I haven't had a hot dog for years, once I discovered how they were made and what was in them.  Ever read the ingredient list?  Ever wonder why they all look the same and are the exact same consistency and colour?   It's not because they meat is all the same colour...lol.   It's because the massive amounts of artificial colour is all the same...lol.  

I used to buy the Hebrew National as mentioned by another poster, but they are a bit pricey (I'm a cheapskate) and there are only 7 in a pack.  I just had an Oscar Meyer turkey frank recently and to my surprise, it was very flavorful.  I too have tried the turkey ones (other brands) in the past and they were bland, but Oscar Meyer has it going on.  I usually eat it on a Natures Own honey/wheat hot dog bun.  The bun really isn't "light", but it's a good nutritional alternative to a white bun.

I also use Hormel turkey chili with yellow mustard and tons of onions.  You can even go all out and put a slice of Bordens fat free American cheese on it for a great low-fat chili cheese dog.  OH YEAH BABY!  Great, now I'm hungry lol.

I don't eat Turkey dogs because the majority of them are made of 'mechanically separated' meat.  That means the turkey goes through a shredding/picking machine that may or may not also grab brains, spinal cord and who knows what else in an attempt to get all the meat off the turkey.

I eat ether Hebrew Nation or veggie dogs.. Smart Ones are pretty good.  They don't really taste like 'hot dogs' but they're good for texture and satisfying.

Original Post by clairelaine:

I like the Hebrew National 97% fat free beef dogs  

They have great flavor and texture, and no nasty additives.  Only 45 calories too.  However, this is a rare treat for me because I have to avoid salt for medical reasons.

 Ditto (except for the salt part).  So good and have that hot dog "pop" when you bite them, which I love.  Best nuked I think.

I really like Smart Dogs veggie hot dogs. I'm not a vegetarian, but processed meat products gross me out- really, anything could be in there and you wouldn't know. Smart Dogs definitely satisfy my hot dog craving. They're especially good cooked on a Foreman- they get all crispy on the outside.

If I were to eat a hot dog (which I won't, cause I'm trying to go vegetarian), I would choose Kowalski. It has 150 calories but more important to me is that it doesn't have any fillers. Just my own opinion.

When my parents were staying with me awhile back my dad eat one of my Yves Veggie wieners. He has heart issues, possible a result of his hot dog addition..lol. My mom had been buying him low fat beef versions and to our great surprise he liked mine better then the low fat ones. I have never tried a low fat one, so I can't say, but it might be worth a try for you.

For me, it's the Dietz and Watson Gourmet Franks 97% fat free lower sodium hot dogs, they still have 390 mg of sodium a piece and I eat two but only 60 calories each and 1.5 g fat each (0.5 Saturated).