You know what we “typical” Americans like to do this weekend…of course…EAT! However, there is a major concern as to the proper nutrition we are getting from the foods we love to consume. And, Memorial Day is the “unofficial” kickoff to this summertime way of eating. Not to mention, OUR children in particular take pleasure in devouring. Yes, I’m talking about the good ‘ole fashioned American Hot Dog!
According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, Americans consume a whopping 20 billion hot dogs in just one year. It’s also estimated by the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council that a surprising ninety-five percent of American households serve hot dogs for a meal.
Well, having noted that, I’d like to delve a little deeper (if I may?).
Americans have been truly passionate about spending a whopping $7.68 billion dollars on hot dogs in supermarkets in 2020 alone. Here’s a look at the ten steps on the making of a hot dog according the the hit television show on the Science Channel called “How It’s Made.”
Step 1: Trimmings are raked into stainless steel cases. (Trimmings are what’s left over after cutting up steaks and pork chops.)
Step 2: The trimmings are next dumped into a chopper where they are what else but chopped.
Step 3: Water, salt, corn syrup or sorbitol, food starch and liquid smoke are added.
Step 4: All ingredients are blended in a large vat.
Step 5: Secret spices are now added. These vary based on where the hot dogs will be sold.
Step 6: Sodium nitrate is added for extending shelf life and color enhancement.
Step 7: The meat mixture is put through a funnel and comes out the other end looking a lot like what a meat smoothie would resemble.
Step 8: The dogs are stuffed into cellulose tubing and cut every 5 ¼ inches.
Step 9: The now close to hot dogs are baked.
Step 10: The cooked hot dogs are doused in cold, salty water and packaged.
Now, when you look at the ingredients used in making a hot dog, you may think that the spices like garlic, salt, coriander, pepper don’t sound harmful at all (and by the way, the spices used in the hot dogs you would buy in a supermarket all depends on where in the world you live – where the dogs are sold dictates how they taste as people in different regions have different preferences when it comes to their hot dogs). However, I will point out that there are two specific and very unhealthy ingredients that you would want to avoid at all costs: Sodium Nitrate and MSG
Sodium nitrate is a preservative that adds color to the dog turning it from a grayish color to a pinkish as well as extending shelf life. Sodium nitrate has been linked to cancer if it’s consumed heavily in the diet through ingesting certain processed meats including hot dogs.
You probably know of the potential health dangers associated with MSG. MSG is used in hot dogs as a flavoring and is labeled as an excitotoxin meaning that it stimulates the sensitive neurons to the point where they die.
And, it doesn’t end there – you may also notice some packages that say “Variety Meats” or “Meat By Products.” Well, these are the extras you may find in your hot dogs such as liver, heart, and kidneys. The USDA requires the manufacturers to disclose this information. Kidneys and Livers and Hearts? Oh, My!
Although this has been banned in the US since 2004, you want to avoid all mechanically separated meats (msm) that are linked to mad cow disease and this is why they are now being closely regulated. What happens with msm is that they are pushed through a sort of sieve with bone and meat attached. The force separates the edible meat from the bone and creates a paste-like substance. This is just one more reason to think twice before popping those dogs on the grill this upcoming holiday and throughout the summer.
So, Buyers Beware!!!
Need I say more?
When shopping for a hot dog, here are some healthy alternatives:
Consider buying organic! Look for nitrate free hot dogs and ones that are labeled ‘all beef,’ ‘all turkey,’ or all a specific kind of meat. Remember that even these hot dogs are high in fat and still may contain some very unhealthy ingredients.
Source: Dr. Axe; Six Wise; hotdog.org