Do Hot Dogs Have Any Nutritional Value?

Hot dogs, often referred to as frankfurters, are truly an American favorite. They're tasty, filling, quick, inexpensive, and easy to prepare. What's not to like? But do they offer any nutritional value?

Hot dogs are a type of smoked sausage except they are combined with byproducts or what is called variety meats such as liver, heart and kidney. Beef and pork franks are made with meat from cows and pigs with no byproducts. However, most all hot dogs contain sodium nitrite, which is a salt chemical used as a preservative. Sodium nitrate has been deemed unsafe as it can have serious side effects such as a sudden drop in blood pressure.

There is a good selection of fat-free, low-fat, and vegetarian franks to choose from, but there's also a sacrifice of flavor. And you should be aware of the fact that turkey and chicken franks aren't necessarily lower in fat so it's a good idea to check the label.

According to three recent studies, hot dogs pose a risk for cancer in children. The study indicated that a child who consumes twelve hot dogs a month has nine times the risk of contracting childhood leukemia. Also, a father who consumes twelve or more hot dogs a month, increases the chances of his children contracting it. What's more, children born of women who ate hot dogs one or more times a week during pregnancy had double the risk of developing brain tumors.

However, there are nitrite-free hot dogs which are perfectly safe. But being nitrite-free, they don't have that dark mauve color but are more brownish in appearance. They taste just the same but a lot of people are a bit turned off by the color.

Children and expecting parents should avoid or better yet, abstain from consuming hot dogs with nitrites. Most everyone will definitely heed the warning as parents instinctively protect their children.

The recent studies have a number of manufacturers scrambling to make their hot dogs safe. Ball Park has removed or at least reduced these nitrates from its franks and use color coated packaging to conceal the pale color. The flavor is still the same but much safer to eat than before.

Nevertheless, not all companies will respond to these new findings until it becomes mandatory. Therefore, when shopping for franks, read the labels, especially on the franks that have a lot of red coloring. Why take chances with your health and that of your family? It won't be long until they will develop a nitrite-free hot dog with that rich mauve color we've all come to love.

Nutrition Facts