The American Heart Association recommends keeping sodium intake to no greater than 2,300 milligrams (mg) per day. They go on to say that a maximum of 1,500 mg per day is more ideal. Doctors may even recommend fewer sodium milligrams per day based on individual health circumstances.
The above being said, hot dogs are not the ideal food to eat if you are watching your sodium. Most have over 400 mg of sodium per hot dog! Even most hot dogs with lower sodium have well over 250 mg of sodium.
With that understanding, here are 11 popular lower-sodium hot dog brands you may wish to consider for better eating. No hot dog brand listed here has sodium of 400 mg or more.
Lower Sodium Hot Dog Brands
Coleman
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Colorado wasn’t even yet a state when Coleman began as a cattle ranch in 1875. Today, the brand is owned by Perdue Farms. It specializes in making all-natural meats and is one of the pioneers of USDA organic standards.
Coleman Natural Uncured Beef Hot Dogs have lower sodium (260mg per dog) compared to many other franks. They contain no hormones or antibiotics. The beef comes from U.S.-based farms from animals that are vegetarian fed.
Serving Size: 1 Hot Dog (42g)
Calories: 100
Total Fat: 9g
Cholesterol: 24mg
Sodium: 260mg
Beef, Water. Contains 2% or Less of Sea Salt, Cane Sugar, Spices (Including Mustard, Pepper, Nutmeg, Allspice Ginger), Cultured Celery Powder, Lactic Acid Starter Culture (Not From Milk), Honey, Vinegar, Onion and Garlic Powder, Paprika.
Dietz & Watson
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Dietz & Watson makes over 700 products sold at delis and in grocery stores. However, the company’s roots are in German sausage making. Dietz & Watson has been around since 1939. It’s safe to say they know a thing or two about producing high-quality meat products.
For a lower sodium frank, try Dietz & Watson Uncured Beef Franks. They contain no nitrates, nitrites, or antibiotics.
Serving Size: 1 Frank
Calories: 110
Total Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 25mg
Sodium: 320mg
Beef, Water, Contains less than 1.5% of Mustard Powder, Garlic Puree, Salt, Organic Sugar, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Potassium Chloride, Potato Starch, Natural Flavor (Including Celery), Paprika.
Teton Waters Ranch
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Teton Waters Ranch produces 100% Grass-Fed Uncured Beef Hot Dogs. They contain no hormones, nitrates, MSG, or antibiotics. The hot dogs and other products by Teton Waters are Certified Humane by Humane Farm Animal Care.
Serving Size: 1 Hot Dog (45g)
Calories: 110
Total Fat: 9g
Cholesterol: 25mg
Sodium: 320mg
Grass-Fed Beef, Water, Less than 2% of the following: Spices including Paprika, Sea Salt, Vinegar, Celery Powder, Garlic Powder, Cherry Powder, Onion Powder.
Kayem
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Kayem has been making sausages since 1909 in New England. The business is still family-owned more than 100 years later. Today, the company makes an assortment of hot dogs, sausages, lunch meats, bacon, and related products.
Kayem Skinnes Beef & Pork Junior Hot Dogs are a bit smaller than the norm but they also have less sodium compared to many other dogs, including products made by Kayem. They are made with no by-products, fillers, or artificial flavors.
Serving Size: 1 Frank (37g)
Calories: 100
Total Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 20mg
Sodium: 320mg
Beef and pork, water, corn syrup, contains 2% or less of salt, potassium lactate, flavorings (including extractives of paprika), dextrose, sodium diacetate, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), sodium nitrite.
Sabrett
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This is a popular hot dog brand that is familiar to many New Yorkers because they are sold through carts on the streets of the city and surrounding areas. They are also available at several stores as well. While frankfurters are the company’s signature product, they also make mustard, hamburger, cocktail franks, sauerkraut, and onions in sauce.
Sabrett’s All-Natural Skinless Uncured Beef Frankfurters have the lowest sodium of all the company’s hot dog products. They contain no nitrates, nitrites, fillers, or preservatives.
Serving Size: 1 Frank (50g)
Calories: 130
Total Fat: 11g
Cholesterol: 25mg
Sodium: 350mg
Beef, Water, Salt, Spices, Sorbitol, Citrus Powder*, Celery Juice Powder, Cherry Powder, Liquid Smoke, Buffered Vinegar.
Lightlife
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Lightlife has been making plant-based foods for more than 40 years. Its Smart Dogs were first introduced in 1993 and have become the top-selling plant-based hot dog brand in the United States.
Lightlife makes regular and jumbo Smart Dogs. Stick with the regular dogs for the least amount of sodium. The nutrition and ingredients for regular Lightlife Smart Dogs are reflected below.
Serving Size: 1 Hot Dog (43g)
Calories: 60
Total Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 350mg
Water, Soy Protein Isolate, Soybean Oil, Raw Cane Sugar, Salt, Contains 2% Or Less Of: Pea Protein, Tapioca Starch, Yeast Extract, Natural Flavor, Garlic Juice Concentrate, Sunflower Oil, Glutamic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Carrageenan, Garlic Powder, Guar Gum, Hardwood Smoked Sugar, Red Rice Flour (Color), Canola Oil, Oleoresin Paprika (Color).
Oscar Mayer
Oscar Mayer Classic Beef Uncured Franks are made with 100% Angus beef. These hot hogs contain no artificial preservatives, by-products, or added nitrates/nitrites.
Serving Size: 1 Hot Dog (42g)
Calories: 130
Total Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 7mg
Sodium: 360mg
Beef, Water, Cultured Dextrose, Contains Less Than 2% Of Dextrose, Salt, Cultured Celery Juice, Distilled White Vinegar, Sodium Phosphate, Cherry Powder, Flavor, Extractives Of Paprika.
Applegate
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If you are watching your sodium intake, Applegate Natural Stadium Uncured Beef & Pork Hot Dogs may be a good option for you. They are made with 100% grass-fed beef and pork with a lamb casing. These hot dogs are dairy-free, gluten-free, sugar-free, and Whole30 approved.
Serving Size: 1 Hot Dog (56g)
Calories: 110
Total Fat: 9g
Cholesterol: 30mg
Sodium: 360mg
Grass-Fed Beef and Pork, Water. Contains Less Than 2% Of The Following: Sea Salt, Paprika, Spices, Garlic, Onion, Celery Powder. In Lamb Casing.
Foster Farms
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Foster Farms specializes in producing chicken and turkey products. They are located in Livingston, California where they privately own and operate the Foster family business. The company makes an assortment of products such as corn dogs, fresh chicken meats, frozen meals, deli meats, and more.
Foster Farms makes turkey and chicken franks that both have no added hormones or steroids. Be sure to purchase the standard size franks and not the jumbo franks for lower sodium.
- Nutrition – Turkey Franks:
- Nutrition – Chicken Franks:
- Ingredients – Turkey Franks:
- Ingredients – Chicken Franks:
Serving Size: 1 Frank (42g)
Calories: 110
Total Fat: 9g
Cholesterol: 40mg
Sodium: 360mg
Serving Size: 1 Frank (42g)
Calories: 110
Total Fat: 9g
Cholesterol: 40mg
Sodium: 360mg
Mechanically separated turkey, water, salt, contains 2% or less of corn syrup solids, potassium lactate, potassium acetate, spices, sodium phosphate, sodium diacetate, flavorings, sodium erythorbate, sodium nitrite
Mechanically separated chicken, water, salt, contains 2% or less of corn syrup solids, potassium lactate, potassium acetate, spices, sodium phosphate, sodium diacetate, flavorings, sodium erythorbate, sodium nitrite
Organic Valley
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Organic Valley was founded in 1988. It has since developed into the premier farmer-owned organic coop in the United States and even globally. It is best known for its dairy products such as milk, yogurt, butter, and cheese. However, they make a variety of meat products including meat snacks, lunch meats, bacon, hot dogs, and more.
Organic Valley produces USDA organic 100% Grass-Fed Uncured Beef Hot Dogs. The dogs are hardwood smoked and skinless. They contain no antibiotics, pesticides, or synthetic hormones.
Serving Size: 1 Hot Dog (47g)
Calories: 130
Total Fat: 11g
Cholesterol: 30mg
Sodium: 370mg
Organic Grass-fed Beef, Water, 2% or less of: Sea Salt, Organic Spices, Organic Onion Powder, Organic Garlic Powder, Cultured Celery Juice Powder.
Jennie-O
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Readers likely recognize Jennie-O as a popular ground turkey brand. However, the company manufacturers an assortment of turkey-related products including franks, patties, bacon, kielbasa, whole turkeys, breasts, and more.
Jennie-O Turkey Franks are natural hardwood smoked for a delicious flavor similar to regular beef hot dogs. Be sure to buy the regular franks instead of the jumbo franks to avoid an extra 260mg of sodium.
Serving Size: 1 Frank (34g)
Calories: 70
Total Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 25mg
Sodium: 380mg
Mechanically Separated Turkey, Water, Salt, Contains 2% or Less Modified Food Starch, Potassium Lactate, Potassium Acetate, Sodium Diacetate, Seasoning (Corn Syrup Solids, Dextrose, Sugar, Paprika, Sodium Erythorbate, Spice Extractives), Natural Smoke Flavor, Sodium Nitrite.
Sources:
How much sodium should I eat per day? www.heart.org. (n.d.). Retrieved February 17, 2022, from https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/sodium/how-much-sodium-should-i-eat-per-day
