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Buzz Feed
06-07-2025
- Health
- Buzz Feed
Best & Worst Hot Dogs Ranked By Nutritionists
OK, so hot dogs aren't the world's healthiest food, but admit it: If they weren't on the menu at summer barbecues, it'd feel like losing a friend. Fortunately, with a growing number of healthier hot dogs hitting supermarket shelves, it's become possible to indulge and still go easy on your body. You just need to know what to look out for. First things first: 'Avoid traditional or ballpark-labeled hot dogs,' Nicole Avena, a New York-based nutrition consultant, told HuffPost. 'These are usually the highest in sodium and contain the most additives and preservatives.' All processed meats are a health risk ― they've been linked to certain types of cancer, like colorectal cancer, because of the way they're preserved. But there are a few types of meat that offer less risk than the standard beef hot dog, Avena said. Look for a label that indicates whole beef, turkey or chicken, as opposed to mechanically processed and separated meats. Another important factor is sodium content. 'Choose hot dogs that have less than 400 mg (or less than 20% of the daily value) of sodium per serving,' said Gretchen Zimmermann, senior director of cardiometabolic care for Vida Health. (The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults limit sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg per day.) Other indications of a higher-quality hot dog are if they're uncured and nitrate- and nitrite-free, and have minimal ingredients. 'Overall, uncured chicken or turkey hot dogs would be a better option, because they're usually lower in saturated fat and less processed than beef,' Avena even if the label says 'uncured,' 'no nitrates added' or 'all natural,' it doesn't mean these options are necessarily healthier. Natural preservatives, such as celery powder and celery salt, may sound better, but there's no evidence they're safer, so it's still best to minimize your intake. The same goes for veggie dogs: Choose dogs with minimally processed ingredients, such as tofu, instead of heavily processed soy protein concentrate or isolate. '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,' said Samantha Cassetty, nutrition expert and co-author of Sugar Shock. To save you time scanning nutrition labels, here are the healthiest and the least healthy store-bought hot dogs, according to nutritionists. A healthy beef option: Organic Valley Uncured 100% Beef Hot Dogs 'The Organic Valley hot dogs boast healthy ingredients like organic grass-fed beef, organic spices, garlic and onion powder (although celery powder is used as a preservative),' Zimmermann they're uncured, this makes them your best bet for avoiding high amounts of carcinogens -- and compared to traditional dogs, they're lower in calories, sodium and saturated fat. A healthy beef option: Applegate Naturals Do Good Dog Uncured Beef Hot Dogs Applegate Naturals Do Good Dogs are made with regeneratively sourced beef that's 100% grass-fed. They use just four simple ingredients: beef, water, salt and spices.'You are what you eat, and a healthier diet for the animal you're consuming means a healthier diet for you too,' said Marissa Meshulam, a registered dietitian based in New York City. An unhealthy beef option to avoid: Ball Park Brand Prime Uncured Beef Franks Even though the packaging says 'uncured,' it only takes one glance at the nutrition facts to know these hot dogs aren't the best Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend limiting calories from saturated fat to less than 10% of one's total calories per day to promote heart health. 'A 2,000-calorie diet would equate to less than 20g of saturated fat per day,' Zimmermann said. 'The Ball Park Prime Uncured Beef Franks provides nearly half that amount in one serving.' Even before the bun, ketchup and other salty condiments and accessories are added, these hot dogs pack a whopping 710mg of sodium in one serving, as well as 230 calories, 20g of fat, 9g of saturated fat, 2g of carbohydrates and 9g of protein. Bottom line: Yikes. A healthy pork blend: Applegate Naturals Natural Stadium Beef and Pork Hot Dogs 'Applegate Naturals uses antibiotic-free beef and pork to make these without any preservatives — just natural spices and herbs,' said Amy Shapiro, a New York-based registered dietitian. The franks contain no fillers and no added nitrates or nitrites (except for those naturally occurring in sea salt and celery powder). A healthy pork blend: Seemore La Dolce Beet-a Pork Sausages The pork used to make these sausages is animal welfare-certified, and the dogs themselves are minimally processed. 'Plus, the brand adds fresh beets, garlic and fennel, which further boosts the nutrient content,' Meshulam are no preservatives or phosphates, and the only nitrates or nitrites are those that naturally occur in cultured celery powder and sea salt. An unhealthy pork blend to avoid: Kayem Beef & Pork Hot Dogs These dogs contain a boatload of fat and sodium, as well as corn syrup and dextrose (two types of added sugar), mystery flavorings and preservatives. 'This can indicate the company uses pork byproducts to produce their product, not lean pork or beef,' Avena said. A healthy turkey option: Organic Valley Uncured Pasture-Raised Turkey Hot Dogs These turkey hot dogs are made using meat from animals that have been humanely raised, and the hot dogs are free from fillers and potentially harmful salt sources like sodium nitrates and nitrites, Zimmermann said. They also contain 20% less sodium than the leading organic brand. A healthy turkey option: Applegate Natural Uncured Turkey Hot Dog The turkey dogs from Applegate Farms are as clean as it gets — the turkey is organic and humanely raised with no antibiotics, and the hot dogs themselves contain no fillers or preservatives. 'They simply contain organic turkey and organic spices and herbs,' Shapiro said. 'They're a lean and light option, coming in at 70 calories each with under 4g of fat.' An unhealthy turkey option to avoid: Ball Park Brand White Meat Smoked Turkey Franks Ball Park's turkey franks contain mechanically separated turkey, which, 'to keep it simple, means the meat isn't coming from a good part of the turkey,' Meshulam said. 'It's more likely ground-up bone paste.' They're also loaded with sodium, at almost 600mg per dog. ('That's more than I recommend in a full frozen meal,' Shapiro said.) A healthy chicken option: Applegate Organics Great Organic Uncured Chicken Hot Dog 'This is an excellent choice for a hot dog with just a handful of ingredients, including organic chicken, water, sea salt and spices,' Zimmermann said. 'There are no artificial or naturally occurring nitrate or nitrite sources either, like celery powder, making it one of the best summer grilling hot dog options.' A healthy chicken option: Bilinski's Mild Italian Chicken Sausage with Bell Peppers The line of chicken sausages by Bilinski's are another excellent summer grilling option. 'Not only are they made with only organic chicken breast, water and spices, they're pretty lean,' Meshulam said. The brand's mild Italian option has only 2.5g of fat per dog (0.5g of that being saturated fat) and 13g of protein. An unhealthy chicken option to avoid: Gwaltney Original Chicken Hot Dogs While Gwaltney's chicken dogs are lower in fat, they contain mechanically separated chicken, which means 'you're not just eating chicken meat, but also tendons, veins and skin,' Shapiro said. On top of multiple sodium sources in the ingredients, this hot dog uses 'natural' flavors, which may contain unknown chemicals added during the manufacturing process. 'The word 'natural' isn't regulated by the FDA and can mislead consumers,' Zimmermann said. 'Overall, the high sodium content and long list of ultra-processed ingredients make this chicken dog a no-go.' A healthy vegetarian option: Upton Naturals Updog Vegan Hot Dog This vegan hot dog alternative has a texture similar to meat. 'It contains 19 grams of protein from vital wheat gluten or seitan (the main protein of wheat),' Avena said. 'The limited ingredients and preservatives make it a great meat-free hot dog option.' A healthy vegetarian option: Jack & Annie's Jackfruit Sausages Many 'not dogs' out there contain iffy ingredients (like soy protein isolate), inflammatory oils (canola) and lots of stabilizers and additives to make them taste good. 'While they're 100% better for the environment, they're still very processed products and may not be that much better for your health,' Meshulam said. Instead, go for a real plant-based protein (like tofu, beans or legumes). Jack & Annie's Jackfruit Sausages, for instance, are made with a base of jackfruit — a plant that eats like your favorite meat — and prepared with natural seasonings. An unhealthy vegetarian option to avoid: Lightlife Smart Dogs To make these non-meat dogs taste like meat, Lightlife uses a lot of processed ingredients, including soy protein isolate, 'a very processed and broken-down form [of] soy I tell my clients to avoid,' Shapiro said. 'They also use three different sweeteners, soy and canola oil, guar gum and xanthum gums, too — so many ingredients that cause inflammation in the body.' What if your favorite hot dog is one of the 'unhealthy' options listed above? If any of your go-to dogs made the 'steer clear' list, it doesn't mean you have to ghost them. 'Going to barbecues and eating less healthy foods are part of living a joy-filled life,' Cassetty advice? If you feel that no family barbecue is complete without a Ball Park frank in your hand, then have one and enjoy. Just don't make hot dogs a way of life.'The occasional hot dog at a barbecue when you're otherwise eating a mostly healthy diet isn't going to wreck your health,' Cassetty said. 'So pick the one you'll enjoy and be mindful of your diet as a whole.'
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Eat watermelon daily? Here's what it really does to your body
Watermelon is juicy, refreshing, and full of nutrients but is it too good to be true? A lot of people are trying to eat only watermelon for days because of the "watermelon detox" trend that went viral on social media. But is this really safe and useful? Experts talk about how watermelon affects your body every day. Experts say that extreme "watermelon-only" detoxes are not a good idea. Eating it alone is not good for you because it doesn't give your body the protein and healthy fats it needs. Is the watermelon detox trend actually healthy? There is no denying that watermelon is a tasty and hydrating fruit. Recently, some social media users have gone too far with that idea, transforming it into a "diet" or "detox." According to dietitian and Sugar Shock co-author Samantha Cassetty, RD, the watermelon diet is a fad that appeared to start gaining traction on social media in 2022 and is not a formal diet plan. It's unclear where the diet came from, and there doesn't seem to be a formal "plan" to follow. Nonetheless, it is frequently presented as a "detox" or cleanse in which participants consume only watermelon for a predetermined period of time. The length of time varies; some TikTokers report eating watermelon nonstop for three days, while others say they have done so for at least 30 days, as per a report by Women's Health. Live Events The watermelon diet is popular because of its detoxifying properties, but the notion that it purges your system isn't true. According to Cassetty, "the goal is to eliminate toxins and begin weight loss without feeling overly hungry, but you don't need to eat a certain kind of food to detox the body." "Your kidney and liver naturally remove toxins from your body on a daily basis because that's how it's designed," she says. ALSO READ: Water alone won't cut it, experts share smart tips to stay truly hydrated all day Can you lose weight by eating watermelon every day? A watermelon diet, however, is not a long-term weight loss strategy; rather, it is a temporary fix. Your weight may change if you only eat watermelon, but it will return once you start eating other foods. While watermelon might help with weight loss in the short term, it shouldn't be the only food consumed. Concentrating on just one thing can cause the body to lose important proteins and healthy fats, which are necessary nutrients. What are the real health benefits of watermelon? There are many health benefits of watermelon, as per the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). • High in vitamins and antioxidants, watermelon is a nutrient-dense food. • Watermelon's vitamins A, C, and B6 support the immune system and eyesight. • Watermelon's lycopene has been connected to a lower risk of heart disease and some types of cancer. Watermelon's low calorie content makes it a good snack for weight loss, and its amino acids can lower blood pressure and improve exercise performance. • Eating watermelon every day can lower body weight and BMI. • Because of its low cholesterol, saturated fat, and sodium content, regular consumption can help with weight loss. FAQs Is it safe to eat only watermelon for weight loss? While watermelon is nutritious and low in calories, eating it exclusively is not sustainable or balanced. You will miss out on essential nutrients such as protein and healthy fats. Does watermelon actually detox the body? Not quite. Your body naturally detoxifies itself via the liver and kidneys. Watermelon improves hydration and health, but it does not "cleanse" your system on its own.
Economic Times
03-07-2025
- Health
- Economic Times
Eat watermelon daily? Here's what it really does to your body
Is the watermelon detox trend actually healthy? Live Events Can you lose weight by eating watermelon every day? What are the real health benefits of watermelon? FAQs (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Watermelon is juicy, refreshing, and full of nutrients but is it too good to be true? A lot of people are trying to eat only watermelon for days because of the "watermelon detox" trend that went viral on social media. But is this really safe and useful? Experts talk about how watermelon affects your body every say that extreme "watermelon-only" detoxes are not a good idea. Eating it alone is not good for you because it doesn't give your body the protein and healthy fats it is no denying that watermelon is a tasty and hydrating fruit. Recently, some social media users have gone too far with that idea, transforming it into a "diet" or "detox."According to dietitian and Sugar Shock co-author Samantha Cassetty, RD, the watermelon diet is a fad that appeared to start gaining traction on social media in 2022 and is not a formal diet plan. It's unclear where the diet came from, and there doesn't seem to be a formal "plan" to it is frequently presented as a "detox" or cleanse in which participants consume only watermelon for a predetermined period of time. The length of time varies; some TikTokers report eating watermelon nonstop for three days, while others say they have done so for at least 30 days, as per a report by Women's watermelon diet is popular because of its detoxifying properties, but the notion that it purges your system isn't to Cassetty, "the goal is to eliminate toxins and begin weight loss without feeling overly hungry, but you don't need to eat a certain kind of food to detox the body." "Your kidney and liver naturally remove toxins from your body on a daily basis because that's how it's designed," she says.A watermelon diet, however, is not a long-term weight loss strategy; rather, it is a temporary fix. Your weight may change if you only eat watermelon, but it will return once you start eating other watermelon might help with weight loss in the short term, it shouldn't be the only food consumed. Concentrating on just one thing can cause the body to lose important proteins and healthy fats, which are necessary are many health benefits of watermelon, as per the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).• High in vitamins and antioxidants, watermelon is a nutrient-dense food.• Watermelon's vitamins A, C, and B6 support the immune system and eyesight.• Watermelon's lycopene has been connected to a lower risk of heart disease and some types of low calorie content makes it a good snack for weight loss, and its amino acids can lower blood pressure and improve exercise performance.• Eating watermelon every day can lower body weight and BMI.• Because of its low cholesterol, saturated fat, and sodium content, regular consumption can help with weight watermelon is nutritious and low in calories, eating it exclusively is not sustainable or balanced. You will miss out on essential nutrients such as protein and healthy quite. Your body naturally detoxifies itself via the liver and kidneys. Watermelon improves hydration and health, but it does not "cleanse" your system on its own.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Dietitians Share the Truth About the Viral ‘Cortisol Cocktail'
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." The so-called Cortisol Cocktail is all over TikTok right now. Fans swear it will help lower levels of the stress hormone in the body. Experts explain if it really has an effect on your stress levels. You're stressed and we get it. It's hard not to feel frazzled with everything you're dealing with daily. But if you've already made moves to de-stress in your life and still feel like you're not getting anywhere, TikTok has a solution for you. It's called the Cortisol Cocktail, and people claim it really works to lower cortisol levels. But what does the science say? The name is a hat-tip to cortisol, the hormone produced by the adrenal glands (a pair of triangle-shaped glands on top of each kidney) that's usually produced in your body in response to stress. While some cortisol production is normal and even helpful, chronic exposure to the hormone raises the risk of weight gain, muscle weakness, and high blood sugar, among other things, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Meet the experts: Samantha Cassetty, M.S., R.D., is a plant-forward nutrition and wellness expert and co-author of Sugar Shock; Mir Ai, M.D.., is medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA; Julie Upton, M.S., R.D., is a San Francisco Bay Area-based registered dietitian and co-author of Energy to Burn: The Ultimate Food and Nutrition Guide to Fuel Your Active Life; Alissa Lupu, R.D., a nutritionist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center But can a drink or food help reduce cortisol levels? Here's what dietitians and a doctor want you to keep in mind. There are a bunch of videos on TikTok promoting the Cortisol Cocktail, and—heads up—some have tie-ins with coconut water companies. But they all make similar claims that this drink will help lower levels of cortisol in your body, boost your energy, ease tension, and even balance your hormones (which, also seems to be a talking point on social media these days). 'This is useful to drink until you start to feel better,' wrote one creator under a video. 'This drink provides everything your adrenal need[s] to start working.' A fellow Cortisol Cocktail fan even credited the drink with helping her to lose 54 pounds. She also noted that she has 'more energy' now than before she had kids. Every Cortisol Cocktail recipe is slightly different, but it usually involves a mix of coconut water, fresh lemon or orange juice, magnesium powder, a little salt, and sparkling water. There are a lot of promises surrounding the Cortisol Cocktail. Experts say there's some truth behind these claims, although they're overblown. 'Some ingredients in the so-called Cortisol Cocktail, like magnesium and electrolytes, do play a role in how our bodies manage stress,' says Samantha Cassetty, M.D., R.D., is a plant-forward nutrition and wellness expert and co-author of Sugar Shock. She points out that magnesium is known as a 'relaxation mineral' because it helps to regulate the nervous system and may even help blunt the effects of stress. 'Electrolytes from coconut water, orange juice, and salt can support hydration, which is important for overall energy and mood,' Cassetty says. 'However, no drink alone can significantly lower cortisol levels. These nutrients may help your body feel more balanced, but they're not a magic bullet.' Julie Upton, M.S., R.D., a San Francisco Bay Area-based registered dietitian and co-author of Energy to Burn: The Ultimate Food and Nutrition Guide to Fuel Your Active Life, agrees. 'There are several studies that suggest magnesium may help with the control of cortisol levels, but there are no randomized controlled trials that show a cause and effect,' she says. Upton also says that there's 'more hype than true help' with the Cortisol Cocktail controlling cortisol levels. 'Coconut water has a health halo and naturally has magnesium, so that is likely why these cocktails have coconut water,' she says. As for those weight loss claims, having this drink alone is unlikely to help you lose a significant amount of weight, says Mir Ali, M.D., is medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA. 'This drink might be helpful to some people—if you're drinking this, it might fill up your stomach so you eat less,' he says. 'But 90% of weight loss is diet. If patients are careful with what they eat, they will be able to lose weight.' Dr. Ali points out that there's no research to suggest this drink will help lower cortisol levels. 'Some of these ingredients may have mild anti-inflammatory effects, but I haven't seen any convincing evidence that it will lead to significant results based on these ingredients,' he says. While potential perks of the Cortisol Cocktail aren't clear, experts agree that this is a safe drink to have. 'Generally, this type of homemade electrolyte drink is harmless for most people, especially when used occasionally to support hydration or replenishment,' Cassetty says. 'But it's important to understand that cortisol is a hormone—not something you can just 'flush out' with a drink.' Magnesium is an important and beneficial mineral, but Cassetty notes that some people may end up getting diarrhea from it. 'The juice is also high in sugar, and so if blood sugar management is an issue, juices should be avoided,' says Alissa Lupu, R.D., a nutritionist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center. 'If sodium is restricted for cardiovascular concerns, again, this drink should be avoided.' Cassetty warns that the drink 'may provide a false sense of security,' keeping people from actually addressing the root cause of their stress or exhaustion. One more thing to consider, per Cassetty: Many Americans have too much sodium, and adding salt to drinks without a medical reason, like heavy sweating from exercise or heat, could push that sodium intake even higher. If you're still interested in giving it a try (though, again, there isn't much scientific evidence to support the claims around the drink), every recipe for the Cortisol Cocktail is slightly different, but most follow this general guide: 1 cup coconut water Juice from ½ lemon ¼ cup orange juice 1 teaspoon of magnesium powder ¼ teaspoon salt Sparkling water on top If you're struggling with symptoms of chronically high cortisol, like unexplained weight gain, fatigue, and muscle weakness, it's time to check in with a doctor. It's possible that this is due to an underlying health condition, and it's important to get a proper medical evaluation to find out, Dr. Ali says. But if your concerns are more about feeling burned out, Cassetty recommends working on your stress management toolbox. 'That might include consistent sleep, regular movement, mindfulness or breathing exercises, and nourishing meals throughout the day,' she says. 'While a drink like this may help you feel more supported, long-term cortisol balance comes from how you manage the stress itself—not just how you hydrate.' Dietary supplements are products intended to supplement the diet. They are not medicines and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure diseases. Be cautious about taking dietary supplements if you are pregnant or nursing. Also, be careful about giving supplements to a child, unless recommended by their healthcare provider. You Might Also Like Can Apple Cider Vinegar Lead to Weight Loss? Bobbi Brown Shares Her Top Face-Transforming Makeup Tips for Women Over 50
