Summer is almost here, which means BBQ and Hot Dog season. Most people love hot dogs, which is why I hate to ruin this quick, easy and delicious food for you. Hot dogs are probably one of the worst things you can eat- even the kosher version. And, if you’re feeding this to your kids- stop! Hot dogs are almost the worst thing you can ever eat and here’s why;
First, know that a New York Times reporter filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act asking the U.S.D.A. to hand over all the complaints about foreign objects in hot dogs they had received between 2007 and 2009—and one, apparently, contained a Band-Aid. Some other alarming ingredients: glass shards, metal fragments, maggots, a rat leg, a piece of an eyeball, a razor, and bone fragments. GROSS!
Usually, the first ingredient in any hot dog is some sort of mechanically separated meat. What does this mean? Well, it is technically defined as any meat made into a paste-like and batter-like that is produced by forcing bones, with attached edible tissue, through a sive or similar device under high pressure. If you want to watch a video on how its made, click here: https://youtu.be/CAn0PBjhwW4
Eating just one hot dog a day raises your risk for coloectal cancer by 21 percent, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research. When heated, nitrates and nitrites in processed meats combine with amines to form nitrosamines, proven to be carcinogenic. Yum! Oh, and to make hot dogs safe and palatable, a mélange of binders, fillers, flavorings, and preservatives are added, including corn syrup, nitrates, MSG, and other chemicals are added to them. Gross.
There is no way for me to say that eating a traditional hot dog on occasion is OK. It’s really not. There are healthier options. You can buy organic turkey or chicken sausages and dress them like hot dogs. Check our your local butcher who sources grass fed beef to pick up their version of a hot dog.
Still have questions? Contact us. Maggie is always ready to help guide you when it comes to food, nutrition, and health goals.