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It would feel like losing a friend if hot dogs weren't on the menu at summer barbecues.

With a growing number of healthier hot dogs hitting supermarket shelves, it is now possible to indulge and still exercise. You don't have to know what to look for.

Nicole Avena, a New York-based nutrition consultant, said to avoid traditional or ballpark- labeled hot dogs. Most of the time, these are the highest in sodium.

The way processed meats are preserved has been linked to colorectal cancer. Avena said there are a few types of meat that are less risky than the standard beef hot dog. You should look for a label that says "whole beef, turkey or chicken" instead of " mechanically processed and separated meats".

The amount of salt in the air is another factor. The senior director of cardiometabolic care for Vida Health said to choose hot dogs with less than 20% of the daily value of salt. According to theDietary Guidelines for Americans, adults should limit their daily intake of salt to less than 2,300mg.

If a hot dog is uncured and nitrate- and nitrite-free, it can be seen as a higher quality one. Chicken or turkey hot dogs are usually lower in saturated fat and less processed than beef.

Even if the label says "uncured," "no nitrates added" or "all natural," it doesn't mean they're better. It is best to minimize your intake of natural preservatives, such as celery powder, because there is no evidence they are safer.

If you're looking for a vegetarian dog, choose dogs with minimally processed ingredients, such as tofu.

"An occasional processed veggie dog isn't likely to be harmful, but these soy ingredients haven't been well- studied, so there are still some concerns about their safety."

The healthiest and least healthy store-bought hot dogs are listed here.

What if your favorite hot dog is one of the “unhealthy” options listed above?

It doesn't mean you have to ghost your go-to dogs. It's part of living a joy-filled life to go to barbecues and eat less healthy food

What is her advice? No family barbecue is complete without a Ball Park frank in your hand. Hot dogs should not be made a way of life.

The occasional hot dog at a barbecue is not going to ruin your health. Pick the one you like and be aware of your diet.

The article was first published on HuffPost.

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