The sun is out, the grill is on, it’s summer time and life is good and chances are you are grilling up some hamburgers and hotdogs this summer. While it’s common knowledge that going heavy on the salt shaker increases sodium intake, this nutrient also hides in many processed and packaged foods as well.
Whether you’re following a strict low-sodium diet or just looking to decrease your daily sodium intake, it can be helpful to learn just how much of this essential nutrient is in your favorite foods. So let’s start with the all-American classic, the hot dog!
But did you know the average hot dog with a bun contains about 717mg of sodium! And that isn’t including any condiments. Be mindful when grabbing a hot dog as sodium differs based on brands:
Now that you know how much sodium is in hot dogs, let’s explore why it’s there in the first place.
Much of the sodium in hot dogs comes from the same type of salt you sprinkle on your french fries or mix into your baked goods. No matter if you choose sea salt, Himalayan pink salt, or kosher salt, the product is almost entirely made up of sodium chloride. The only differences between these types of salt is their place of origin, as well as the presence of trace minerals in them.
Producers add salt to hot dogs to enhance the flavor and help preserve the meat. Along with salt, some hot dogs contain sodium-containing additives such as sodium nitrite and sodium phosphate. Producers often use sodium nitrate to cure hot dogs and other types of meat.
*Stats & some content from Natural Coleman