Smart Dog Veggie Hot Dogs
Hey guys!
The school year started up again, which means the luxury of making delicious vegan food from scratch is limited…or at least contingent on my work-load. So, I’ve found a product (new to me, but not new on the market) that has been helping me munch between activities…behold….

LightLife Smart Dogs Veggie Protein Links
Yes, it’s a vegan hot dog. And, yes, it’s a processed food. You guys know I usually stray from these types of foods, but like my Italian Tofurkey sausage, there are just some foods that I’ll bend the rules for. Plus, I like to consider these foods vehicles…


for my peach salsa, cucumber, onion, lettuce, whole-wheat bread, what-have-you.
Here are the stats:
Nutrition
Per Single Serving
Serving Size (1) link (42g)
Servings per package: 8
| Nutrition: | Amount per Serving | Percentage Daily Value |
| Calories | 45 | |
| Calories from Fat | 0 | |
| Fat, g | 0 | 0% |
| Saturated Fat, g | 0 | |
| Trans Fatty Acids, g | 0 | |
| Cholesterol, mg | 0 | |
| Sodium, mg | 310 | 13% |
| Potassium, mg* | 270 | 8% |
| Carbohydrate, g | 2 | 1% |
| Fiber, g | 1 | 4% |
| Sugars, g | 1 | |
| Protein, g | 8 | 14% |
| Vitamin A, % | 0% | |
| Vitamin C, % | 0% | |
| Calcium, % | 0% | |
| Iron, % | 6% |
Ingredients: Water, soy protein isolate, wheat gluten, evaporated cane juice, less than 2% of: natural flavor (from vegetable sources), natural smoke flavor, garlic powder, paprika oleoresin (color and flavor), yeast extract, xanthan gum, guar gum, carrageenan, fermented rice flour, salt, potassium chloride.
I’ve read mixed reviews about these hot dogs, but I think they’re great. Obviously, if you heat one up and eat it alone it’s not going to taste exactly like a real-meat hot dog. I think that’s a good thing. Like with any other hot dog, the focus is on the toppings, no? Plus, only 45 calories each and no fat = good. Compared to the 240 calories in each of my fave Tofurkey Italian sausages, it’s a nice swap once in a while.
You can find these at Trader Joe’s. To see other vegan meat substitutes, click here.
What are your guys’ favorite vegan or vegetarian hot dogs or sausages? Any brands I should try?
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<3,
The Cranky One
p.s. Curiosity talkin’ here: Did you hear Starbucks is going to remove the “Tall” size option from their Drive-Thru menus (though they’ll still offer the option). Do you think this is really to make it easier on the consumer (as they say), or is it to make less people opt for the small size? Thoughts?! [read here]
Tags: light life, vegan



7 People have left comments on this post
I have no desire to eat a vegan hot dog (for fear that it tastes like the real thing, bleck!)
But I do know that the Smart Bacon is pretty good!
The flavor of the bacon is spot on and the texture is a little bit off, but its not a gross texture.
I used them in a BLT casserole and thought they were pretty convincing
I am not big on the vegan hot dogs, either. I have purchased the Smart Bacon before, though, and it is good on a BLT.
As far as Starbucks goes, if they have the statistics to back up that removing Tall is a sound business decision, then I say go for it. If it is in the minority when it comes to orders and is costing their bottoms line, then toss it and pass on the savings to their employees and customers. (That may be too idealistic.
)
Now that I actually *read* the brief article, I see what they are doing. I don’t think it’s trickery. A consumer should educate themselves about the places they patronize, and if they don’t understand something, ask.
I have to admit (and I’m just learning about eating more cleanly, so I still love my processed vegan foods with a passion) I love me some smart dogs. They really are a vehicle for the toppings. Perfect for camping and taste best grilled. Mustard, relish, sauerkraut, onions, the works.
Smart Dogs no longer contain wheat gluten.
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