Do Hot Dogs Have Any Nutritional Value?

Hot dogs, often referred to as frankfurters, are truly an American favorite, but do they offer any nutritional value? I have been an avid hot dog fan since I was a child. Of course, so have a lot of other people. They're tasty, filling, quick, inexpensive and easy to prepare. What's not to like?

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 you'll sacrifice a LOT of flavor with them. 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 developing childhood leukemia. What is more, children born of women who ate hot dogs one or more times a week during her pregnancy have 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. However, there are some who simply don't listen or brush it off as nonsense.