Hot dogs are a summertime staple—it’s hard to go to a baseball game or a barbecue without encountering at least one party where someone is grilling these meat sticks on the grill. However, while hot dogs may be well-loved, many of us know that hot dogs are at the top of the “not so healthy” list. What many of us don’t know is why – and whether there is a type of hot dog that might be a little better for you.
Here’s what the experts say.
Why do hot dogs have such a bad reputation?
There are many different types of hot dogs on the market (including vegan ones), but let’s talk about the most traditional type, which is a mix of meat, seasonings, flavorings and preservatives. Different brands use different ingredients in their products, but traditionally hot dogs are made from pork or a combination of beef and pork. (The fact that hot dogs are a bit of a mystery meat doesn’t exactly help their cause.)
Dietitian Michelle Routhenstein tells Yahoo Life that there are a few reasons why hot dogs get a bad rap — and that’s because of their “high sodium content, high saturated fat content, and highly processed preservatives.”
The methods used to make hot dogs typically involve curing and smoking, which can lead to the formation of nitrosamines, says Routhenstein. Nitrosamines are carcinogens – substances linked to cancer and heart disease because they trigger inflammation and oxidative stress in the body, she says. Oxidative stress can lead to cell and tissue damage.
One to study found that people who consume about 150 grams of processed meat (or less than two hot dogs) weekly have a 46% higher risk of heart disease and a 50% higher risk of mortality compared to those who don’t eat processed meat, notes Routhenstein. . A standard hot dog weighs about 1.5 ounces.
Hot dogs too fall into the processed meat category along with ham, sausage, corned beef and beef jerky or beef jerky. “Hot dogs of animal origin are classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organization, which means that the scientific evidence showing that they cause cancer is as strong as smoking and asbestos,” said the nutritionist. Kaytee Hadley tells Yahoo Life.
Are there healthier hot dog options?
If you’re wary of traditional hot dogs, you might think turkey hot dogs are a better alternative. But that’s not the case, says Hadley. “Eating red meat is worse for human health than poultry in many ways, but that doesn’t apply to processed meats like hot dogs,” she says. “The negative impacts are largely due to the way the meat is processed and not just the animal the meat originates from. The studies linking processed meat to cancer have included poultry, so although we are likely to get less saturated fat, all the other risk factors are still there.”
Hadley says that vegan hot dogs, like those made by Impossible Foods, may be a better option, as “when plants are processed and cooked, they do not produce the same high levels of toxic compounds that animal meat does.”
Many plant-based alternatives are also lower in saturated fat and sodium, she says, and contain no cholesterol. “Take Impossible hot dogs, for example, which have 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 50% less saturated fat, and 45% less total fat than an animal-based hot dog,” says Hadley, “as well as 12 grams of protein. per serving. ”
Can you eat hot dogs in moderation?
Experts are divided on this. Hadley suggests that people limit their hot dog consumption to “only special occasions, a few times a year,” due to the cancer risk associated with eating processed meat, while Routhenstein suggests eating hot dogs only once a month or less. .
However, the nutritionist Stephanie Van’t Zelfden told Yahoo Life that he prefers his clients to take a moderate approach to their diets and says hot dogs can “absolutely” be part of an overall “nutritious and balanced diet.”
“I would consider a ‘healthy’ hot dog to be one that you like,” she explains. “Don’t feel like you have to choose a turkey or a plant-based hot dog if you don’t like them—you’ll just be looking for something else to eat because you won’t be satisfied.”
Instead, she suggests including some healthy additions to your hot dog meal. For example, you can “add vegetables on top, like a Chicago-style dog, or a side of fruits, vegetables, or whole grains for extra nutrition with your hot dog.”
Routhenstein says ultimately it’s about “balancing the plate.” While a hot dog might do the trick once in a while, she recommends focusing on “lean proteins and complex carbs” at most meals.
