Hot dogs are a summer staple, and they are the most widely sold sausage variety in America.Believe it or not, according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, in the year 2018, supermarkets and grocery stores reported a sale of $3 billion worth of hot dogs. This speaks volumes about the love Americans have for their hot dog and sausage, but is it really healthy or is it just junk that you are washing down with Coke?America’s favorite meal is made mainly from pork, beef, turkey, and sometimes a combination of meat and poultry. Apart from that, the common ingredients include water, spices, garlic, salt, mustard, coriander, sugar, and white pepper. Processed meat, the main ingredient, is linked to an increased risk of heart diseases and colon cancer.But you don’t need to ban your favorite meal. A hot dog could be a good source of animal protein, which is helpful for muscle building. Some reports also suggest that it could be good for the gut. However, it is important to eat it in moderation.Once you have finished this article on hot dogs facts, why not check out our celery nutrition facts and pickles nutritional value here at Kidadl?Hot Dog Nutritional ValuesA hot dog has many different nutritional values.It’s true that hot dogs are high in saturated fat and sodium. A single hot dog can account for over 25% of your day’s sodium allowance. It contains about 189 calories, a total fat content of about 0.59 oz (16.9 g), 0.001 oz (34.8 mg) of cholesterol, 0.017 oz (0.49 g) of sodium, 0.06 oz (1.8 g) of total carbs, 0.2 oz (0.7 g) of sugar, and 0.24 oz (7 g) of protein.Apart from these, a hot dog also contains traces of vitamins, minerals, and other micronutrients. A single serving offers a dose of vitamin B complex, zinc, selenium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, copper, magnesium, thiamin, and calcium.However, the nutritional value of a hot dog also depends highly on the preparation method!Preparation Methods For Hot Dogs As per the sausage council, there are many different ways to prepare a hot dog.Some people prefer to cook their hot dogs from scratch, while others buy pre-cooked hot dogs from the store or grill them on the stovetop in advance. Some people may even choose to make a hot dog sandwich with all of the fixings.Some prefer their sausages boiled or steamed, while others prefer them pan-fried or deep-fried. Over 60% of Americans like their hot dogs grilled.While grilling is one of the go-to ways of preparing hot dogs, boiling is a healthy alternative. The average time it takes to boil your sausage is about six minutes. However, test it once after five minutes; if you put more than one sausage in your pan, it might take a little longer.Before putting in your sausage to boil, season the water with garlic powder, spices, and cayenne pepper. You can also add a few garlic cloves to the water. Saute the sausages and season them with condiments. Put the sausage on the bun and add the chili, cheese, yellow mustard, ketchup, chopped onions, sauteed mushrooms, celery salt, and veggies. In America, mustard is the most preferred choice of topping, and ketchup is frowned upon by many.You can also garnish the buns with sesame seeds, and hot dogs are good to eat for a week after you open them.Overeating Hot Dogs Hot dog eating contests are still a rage, and it is an unsaid rule to bring your hot dogs to a baseball game. But overeating hot dogs is detrimental to your health!Hot dogs are considered a staple during the summer months for Independence Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and National Hot Dog Day. However, overconsumption of hot dogs can result in severe health conditions ranging from heart diseases to high blood pressure to colorectal cancer.A study also reported that overeating hot dogs could increase the risk of Alzheimer’s.Must-Know Facts About Hot Dogs Here are some astounding facts about hot dogs that you probably didn’t know!A hot dog is not a sandwich, though it comes with a bun. How the hot dog got its unique name is still a mystery. But one story claims that it might have gotten the name when a cartoonist drew a caricature of barking dachshund sausages in rolls.However, hot dog historians say that they were not always called ‘hot dogs’ in America; earlier, they were called franks and wieners.Hot dogs sell more in Los Angeles than in any other city.Fans of baseball games are the biggest consumers of hot dogs and sausage, and this trend of selling hot dogs at baseball games began in 1983.National Hot Dog Day was first declared in 1991 by the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council. In New York, Hot Dog Day is a popular social event that hosts hot dog eating contests. In Canada, they organize various events to celebrate National Hot Dog Day.Once, on a visit, King George VI was served a hot dog by Franklin Roosevelt.Did you know the first word said by Mickey Mouse on screen was ‘hot dog’?Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created many interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for hot dogs facts, then why not take a look at pomelo nutrition facts or pizza nutrition facts.
Hot dogs are a summer staple, and they are the most widely sold sausage variety in America.
