How many toxins are in a hot dog

Are these better or worse than "added nitrites"? While both have nitrate, according to The New York Times : A study published earlier this year in The Journal of Food Protection found that natural hot dogs had anywhere from one-half to 10 times the amount of nitrite that conventional hot dogs contained.

Natural bacon had from about a third as much nitrite as a conventional brand to more than twice as much. Not really, but you can reduce the risk somewhat by at least choosing those without added nitrites and without added natural sources of nitrite, like celery juice, or lower levels of either.

When shopping for hot dogs, look for fresh meats with no preservatives added. Be sure to read labels carefully and avoid those listing nitrates or nitrites in the ingredients. But, finding hot dogs without either synthetic or natural nitrites is almost impossible. Also, consider healthier alternatives to traditional hot dogs, such as vegetarian hot dogs, or cook fruits and vegetables on the grill instead.

Euphemisms for Sodium nitrite abound on food package labels. The food industry loves to be creative in coming up with other names for compounds that they add to foods, which the public believes are dangerous. Common sense says we should avoid eating processed meats, such as hot dogs, bacon, bologna, sausages, etc. The New York Times : article concludes:. But many scientists say the evidence of health risks remains persuasive. While the occasional hot dog or piece of bacon is probably O.

Walter C. Willet, chairman of the nutrition department of the Harvard School of Public Health. Many of the references are embedded in the links included in the article above.

Here are some others:. By EHSO. Toggle navigation Home. Here's the explanation: Why are nitrates and nitrites used in meat products? This pink slime frank is also full of corn syrup, artificial flavors and colorings, and chemical preservatives. Most people assume these are the good ones since they are kosher and made of high quality beef. First of all, there is no claim to the quality of the beef used in this hot dog. So is this hot dog frank worth considering?

NO WAY! Look at that ingredient list. While most of the hot dog is made of beef and water, the product can't avoid adding plenty of chemical additives and flavorings in the franks.

Pay close attention to this: hydrolyzed soy protein , or hydrolyzed vegetable protein of any sort, contains free glutamic acid which is also known as MSG monosodium glutamate. MSG is a toxic food additive that I'm not willing to feed my family! Finally, there are reasonably priced, delicious grass-fed hot dogs available with nutritious ingredients.

I found this option in multiple grocery stores, so there should be a decent option available for you as long as you're willing to look at the labels, look at the ingredients list, and even pay a little extra. The best option would be to find franks made by a local grass-fed beef farmer who makes minimally processed hot dog franks or even an authentic bratwurst or liverwurst frank.

I was almost as overwhelmed with the chemically-laden hot dug bun options as I was with the pink slime franks. You can see from the ingredient lists in this collage that the top right and top left buns are pretty bad. These are brand name buns containing an array of chemical preservatives, artificial flavors, artificial colors, yeast extracts MSG , and dough conditioners. It is made with enriched flour and has some additives I don't like feeding my family, but I would definitely eat this option over the other two since it does not contain the chemical preservatives, artificial coloring, MSG, and dough conditioners.

The best option for a hot dog bun would be an artisan roll that you find at a bread store or make in your own kitchen! These hot dog and hamburger buns pictured on the bottom right of the collage are simple and delicious!

Of course there are many different condiments you could add to a hot dog to make it unique, but I thought I'd inspect the three main hot dog condiments found on any typical dog: ketchup, mustard, and relish. In this comparison photo there are three store-bought ketchup options.

The top left photo is by far the most popular ketchup brand in the market. Besides the cancer risk, you can find many reasons to eat processed meats in moderation.

They usually contain high amounts of fat, cholesterol, and sodium, which all contribute to heart disease. To keep yourself healthy, be sure to keep your diet well balanced. Do not despair with all this information. Also visit eatright.

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We are the only comprehensive cancer center in our region, as designated by the National Cancer Institute. We have more than 70 locations throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, and Maryland, with more than oncologists. Photo cc by Flickr user Pabo Planet Innovation Design Culture Cities. About Contact. Sodium nitrates, which are used as a preservative in standard hot dogs, have inspired a decades-long scientific debate over their possible health risks to humans.

Unfortunately, you can't.