Depending on the serving size and garnishes, hot dogs can have a variety of calories. But a typical hot dog with a bun, mustard, and ketchup has about 250–300 calories.
Although hot dogs are a traditional American food, a favorite at baseball games and on the Fourth of July, you should limit your consumption because of their high fat content and dearth of nutrients.
In addition to additional calories from the bun and your preferred condiments, this article examines the caloric content of hot dogs.
Hot Dog Calories
One branded hot dog weighing 57 grams that contains beef, pork, and sea salt has 120 calories, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). You’ll also find the following nutrients:
- 11 grams of protein
- 8 grams of total lipid fats, 13 percent of your recommended daily value (RDV)
- 370 milligrams of sodium, 16 percent of your RDV
- 34.8 milligrams of cholesterol, 12 percent of your RDV
- 3 grams of total saturated fat, 15 percent of your RDV
As a result of the aforementioned, hot dogs don’t provide the best protein source for the heart. However, there are traces of vitamins and minerals like vitamin A, IU, vitamin C, calcium, and iron.
The USDA estimates that one 47-gram hot dog bun contains 100 calories, 4 grams of protein, 20 grams of carbohydrates (7 percent of your RDV), and 170 milligrams of sodium. The bun also contains traces of vitamin C, iron, fiber, and total lipid fats. Typical hot dog bun ingredients include water, sugar, salt, yeast, and enriched wheat flour.
220 calories are found in a hot dog and bun combined. Along with 15 grams of protein, this contains more than 200 milligrams of sodium.
Hot dogs typically come with traditional condiments, which increases the overall calorie count of this dish. Extra calories that typical toppings can add, according to the USDA, include:
- 1 tablespoon of ketchup: 20 calories
- 1 tablespoon of pickle relish: 19 calories
- 1 teaspoon of yellow mustard: 3.66 calories
- 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard: 10 calories
- 1 ounce of chili cheese: 130 calories
How About Calories in a Hot Dog Bun?
Your hot dog bun will typically add another 100–150 calories, whether it is made of white bread or potato. A regular hot dog has just 270 calories, which is still fairly low when combined with the few toppings. Although we do not advise consuming a lot of hot dogs every day, they are not too bad for your diet.
Be honest about the nutritional information of the delicious iconic food the next time someone tries to shame you for eating a hot dog.
Condiments and Toppings Add Extra Calories
Many people prefer hot dogs without toppings, but if you like to smother yours in them, remember to add their calories to your total.
Since there are so many topping options, this can be challenging.
The two most common toppings for hot dogs are mustard and ketchup, each of which has about 10–20 calories per tablespoon (16 grams).
Sauerkraut, which has only 3 calories in the same serving size as sweet pickle relish but 20 calories per tablespoon (15 grams), are two additional frequently used additions.
Chili, cheese, bacon, coleslaw, gravy, fried onions, and french fries are toppings with a higher calorie content; depending on the portion size, these toppings can each add up to 300 extra calories.
SUMMARY
Depending on the toppings you select, a typical hot dog can have an additional 10–300 calories added to it. The bun, which typically has 100–150 calories, is not included in this calculation.
Read about Can You Microwave Hot Dogs?
Are Hot Dogs Healthy?
While hot dogs might not be the healthiest food to eat, they are actually much better for you than you might realize.
Hot dogs can be an easy and affordable way to increase your protein intake, especially with high-protein diets and keto diets becoming more popular. If it is topped with fatty condiments or toppings like french fries or chili, it can undoubtedly be unhealthy. However, a regular hot dog is fairly healthy. Up to 5 grams of protein can be found in one beef frank, but leaner or plant-based protein sources are even more nutrient-dense options.
Some people are also concerned that hot dogs may contain a lot of harmful chemicals or nitrates, which is a common additive used to keep meat safe and fresh. Nitrates are a naturally occurring substance found in a variety of vegetables, despite their potentially scary sound. Although you shouldn’t eat only hot dogs, they are a great, low-cost source of protein.
Recipes and Preparation Tips
If you’re looking for some healthier ways to eat hot dogs, try some of these ideas:
- Roll up your dog in a crescent.Just have one of the Crescent Hot Dogs, which are simple to make and a little more interesting than a regular hot dog. Each dog still has higher levels of sodium and fat. You can have a tasty meal without consuming too many calories if you serve it with a salad that contains colorful fruits and vegetables, water, or a large glass of sugar-free ice tea.
- Make use of a whole grain bun and add vegetables on top. Replace your plain white refined hot dog bun with an artisan whole grain roll to increase the amount of fiber, antioxidants, and protein. Then, dress your dog in a lot of vegetables to add nutrients, anti-oxidants, and volume for greater satiety without adding many calories. For a tasty kick, include hot peppers and guacamole.
- Try a low-fat or veggie dog. Although it used to be difficult to find good veggie dogs, most grocery stores now carry a variety of brands, making it possible for you to find one that suits your tastes. Compared to regular hot dogs, veggie dogs typically have fewer calories and fat, but you can prepare and serve them the same way. Be aware that veggie dogs may contain a lot of sodium as well.
Look for low-fat hot dogs made with turkey or chicken rather than beef and pork. Compare the calorie counts, sodium levels, and total fat by reading the labels.
History of the Hot Dog
Hot dogs did not originate in the United States, despite being such a beloved American dish. They originated in Germany, the country that gave the United States frankfurters. in the 1800s. German immigrants brought their culinary culture with them to America. German immigrant Charles Feltman opened a small hot dog stand on Coney Island where dachshund sausages gained popularity. They were given the name “dachshund sausages” because of their resemblance to the dachshund dog.
Originally made only from pork, hot dogs now come in a wide variety of flavors. In contemporary sausages, the meats can be a combination of beef, pork, chicken, turkey, tofu, and soy. After Chris Von de Ahe united the worlds of baseball and hot dogs, hot dogs became a national symbol of America.
They are readily available, inexpensive, and portable food that can be eaten just about anywhere. Hot dogs are an iconic American food celebrated for an entire month, despite the fact that they are frequently the target of unfounded rumors and anti-meat activists. National Hot Dog Month, which takes place in July, honors the iconic food from food carts in a variety of ways, including a hot dog eating competition, dog races, and more.
Mystery Meat
Hot dogs have gained a bad reputation as a result of their low cost and the dubious methods used by the meat industry in the past. Some anti-meat activists and hot dog haters refer to hot dogs as mystery meat sticks or other unappealing names to discourage people from eating them. You can be confident that the meat you are consuming is real even though it occasionally resembles extraterrestrial parts.
Hot dogs’ low cost may cause some people to have doubts about them. Even though the word “cheap” isn’t always a good thing, it describes hot dogs, which offer a quick and practical meal. You can be sure that neither your hot dogs nor any other parts of mystery meat contain any canines. There are many meatless options that don’t detract from the beloved American classic, despite what anti-meat activists may think of the hot dog.
It’s possible that you’ve seen the pink slime videos going around the Internet. Despite the slime’s unappetizing appearance, the ingredients and method used to make hot dogs are all completely delicious and safe to consume.
Common Questions About Hot Dogs
What Are Nitrates and Why Are They Bad?
A common preservative found in cured meats such as lunch meat, sausages, hot dogs, and bacon is sodium nitrate. Under specific circumstances, your body can transform nitrates into nitrites, which are then transformed into N-nitroso compounds, which have been linked to specific types of cancer.
So Do Hot Dogs Cause Cancer?
You won’t experience any negative health effects from consuming the occasional hot dog, and it is safe to do so. Ascorbic acid, or vitamin C in its technical form, and sodium nitrate might be listed in the ingredients. Nitrates can cause cancer, but vitamins C and polyphenols, which are antioxidants found in plants, may lessen their effects. A brand that doesn’t include nitrates in its products is another option.
A 2017 review discovered a connection between eating cured meats and having a slightly increased risk for some cancers, but the majority of the evidence points to an increased risk for colorectal cancer.
What’s the Difference Between a Hot Dog and a Sausage?
While not all sausages are hot dogs, all hot dogs are sausages. Other varieties of sausages include bratwurst, pepperoni, breakfast sausage, summer sausage, bologna, and many more. Polish sausages and bratwursts are similar to hot dogs in that they are frequently consumed on sizable hot dog buns.
Should You Eat Hot Dogs?
Hot dogs are a popular American food that are not as bad as everyone thinks, despite the fact that they are the target of false rumors and hot dog haters. Even though it isn’t one of the top ten healthiest foods, it is still a fantastic, inexpensive source of protein that won’t break the bank.
To channel your inner Iron Chef, it also makes the ideal canvas for a variety of toppings and sauces. Whether you are a dedicated hot dog eater or a casual ballgame fan, you can be sure that hot dogs not only have a long history in America but are also generally healthy.
Absolutely, even if you’re on a diet!
