Which is healthier: A hot dog or hamburger?: Integrative Urgent Care: Urgent Care (2024)

Integrative Urgent Care Blog Which is healthier: A hot dog or hamburger?

Which is healthier: A hot dog or hamburger?: Integrative Urgent Care: Urgent Care (1)

In BBQ season, only one of these favorites comes out on top.

Baseball season has officially begun, sobarbecue seasonis not far behind. As you decide what to put on the grill, you may be wondering which all-American food — a hot dog or a hamburger — is the healthier choice?

The quick answer is that neither hit it out of the park So let’s take a look at why.

HOT DOG

A typical store bought package frank is about 150 calories. Add the regular plain bun and typical toppings (of ketchup, mustard and relish), and you’re in the 300- to 350-calorie range. And this would be tame compared to what you can comsume in a real ballpark.

And note, processed meats of which frankfuters are one of the most popular are one of the very few foods that have been definitively linked to cancer.

Hot dogs are highly processed containing hundreds of mgs of sodium as well as nitrates. Which are the chemical compounds that are used to preserve the hot dogs. Processed meats are one of the very few foods that have been definitively linked to cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies processed meats like hot dogs, bacon, jerky and some deli meats, as a carcinogen — meaning, they cause cancer. To repeat: They cause cancer; not might, or may, possibly, or any other qualifier.

Make no mistake: Even gourmet or organic versions carry the same risk. Un-cured or nitrate-free versions have natural sources of these preservatives (such as celery juice), that ultimately get converted to worrisome compounds once you consume them.

On the bright side, if you’re eating hot dogs from time-to-time, 3-4 per summer, your risk is much lower. Overall, it’s a good idea to limit processed meats, but a hot dog every now and then on a plate loaded with good vegetables won’t hurt.

HAMBURGER

A 4-ounce burger made from say 85-percent lean ground beef is almost 300 calories alone. Again add a plain bun and a slice of cheese and you’re around 500-calories.

The same agency report, (including the Hot Dogs) involved 22 experts from 10 countries reviewing more than 800 studies, suggests red meat is a carcinogen, as a probable cause of cancer. Both red and processed meats were linked to diabetes and heart disease.

Enough sad news. As with the hot dog, a hamburger or two once every quarter will not jam overall healthy diet, just as that single hot dog won’t. The idea is to minimize processed and red meat intake, while getting enough vegetables, fruits and other plant-based, wholesome foods, such as nuts and seeds.

THE WINNER

From a calorie standpoint, the hot dog is the winner.

From an overall perspective, the hamburger is a better option.

A 4-ounce hamburger has about six times the amount of protein as a hot dog, with about a quarter of the sodium.Nutritionally, that’s a better balance. And the protein will help satisfy your hunger and the good news here are some tips for make a healthier hot dog or hamburger meal!

TIPS FOR A BETTER BURGER OR DOG

Whichever way you go, there are a few ways to make these all-American favorites a bit healthier.First, take note of your toppings. Chili and cheese add so many more calories and sodium, better to leave these alone.

If you can replace the white with a whole-grain bun or skip it altogether using two pieces of lettuce on each end. If you’re at a friend’s gathering or stadium and there’s not a whole-grain bun anywhere in sight the suggestion is skip the bun.

Consider your entire meal, if the hot dog or burger is the main meal, go easy on the sides. If having a burger, skip the fries (and the bun), and go for salad, coleslaw and plenty of water instead.
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Which is healthier: A hot dog or hamburger?: Integrative Urgent Care: Urgent Care (2024)

FAQs

Are hamburgers or hotdogs healthier? ›

From an overall perspective, the hamburger is a better option. A 4-ounce hamburger has about six times the amount of protein as a hot dog, with about a quarter of the sodium. Nutritionally, that's a better balance.

What type of hot dog is healthy? ›

“Overall, uncured chicken or turkey hot dogs would be a better option, because they're usually lower in saturated fat and less processed than beef,” Avena said.

Is a hamburger healthy? ›

Are Burgers Healthy? Though burgers provide protein and other nutrients, they're not seen as a healthy food option. That's because they're high in saturated fat and cholesterol. They're also often bundled with sodas and french fries, which contain large amounts of sugar and saturated fats.

What's the difference between a hot dog and a burger? ›

Both are popular types of American fast food sandwiches made of particularly shaped ground meat into specific buns, garnished with condiments. A hamburger is a round patty put into round hamburger buns along with condiments; a hot dog is an oblong sausage inside oblong hot dog buns, also with condiments.

Do hotdogs have any health benefits? ›

Hot dogs are also a great source of Vitamin B12 with just one hot dog providing 30 percent of the DV. Vitamin B12 is important for normal metabolism, for brain development in children and for mental clarity in adults.

Can hotdogs be made healthy? ›

Because eating too much red meat has also been linked to heart disease and cancer, chicken or turkey dogs might be a slightly healthier option. "But a better alternative is to replace red or processed meat with unprocessed, fresh chicken or turkey," says Kana Wu, Ph.

What brand of hot dog has no nitrates? ›

Naturally, you'll love Hebrew National All Natural Uncured Beef Franks! With no added nitrates or nitrites except those naturally occurring in sea salt and celery powder, these dogs have the kosher beef taste you enjoy without the added ingredients you don't.

How unhealthy is eating hot dogs? ›

Processed meats like hot dogs, sausage, ham and cured bacon are high in sodium, which when eaten in excess can lead to headaches, bloating and an increased risk of stomach cancer and dementia. Another concern with hot dogs are their high levels of saturated fat.

Is it OK to eat a hamburger every day? ›

While it's true that burgers are high in protein, they aren't exactly a healthy food. “Burgers are high in saturated fat, which can lead to heart disease and high cholesterol levels,” says Long Island-based registered dietitian Kimberly Wiemann, MS, RDN.

Is a hamburger once a week bad for you? ›

Klodas said even though it varies from person to person, overall, red meat once a week at most is a good benchmark for most people. And one serving of meat is 3 ounces, according to the American Heart Association.

Is it okay to eat a burger once a week? ›

"Eating fast food once a week should not affect anyone as long as they have a balanced diet rich in whole foods besides that one time," he says. "Fast food should be limited as much as possible but one time a week is usually the recommendation since many people are eating fast-food at least three times per week."

What did Mcdonalds call their hot dogs? ›

Some customers called them “too spicy, expensive and unappetizing,” according to Business Insider. McDonald's introduced the McHot Dog in 1995 at certain locations. Customers weren't so hot on them, and they were later removed from menus in the U.S.

How many calories in a hot dog vs hamburger? ›

A typical plain hot dog is around 150 calories, jumping to around 350 calories when you add the bun and toppings like ketchup, mustard and relish. A small hamburger by itself is about 300 calories - add in the bun, a slice of cheese and you're easily up to 500 calories.

Is A Taco a hot dog? ›

They also have a wide arrangement of topping such as relish, cheese, or the many kinds of sauces. Some people might argue that hotdogs aren't tacos because tacos are a Mexican dish. That is true, however hotdogs aren't normal tacos.

Which has more fat, hamburger or hotdog? ›

But here's a strike against the hot dogs: twice as many of their calories come from fat compared to the burger.

Which is healthier, hot dog or brat? ›

He says that each summertime staple has a good amount of protein, but the heftier brat is more caloric. Fortunately, brands on both sides of the aisle have been working to make their products healthier, and now offer leaner options with fewer ingredients and additives.

Why are beef hot dogs so much better? ›

The Benefits of All-Beef Hot Dogs

All-beef hot dogs aren't only better for you and your family, but they also taste more appetizing because they're made with high-quality beef and natural seasonings.

Are hotdogs unhealthy for dogs? ›

Feeding your dog fatty foods, like hot dogs, bacon, ribs, or fried chicken, can upset your dog's stomach and cause vomiting and diarrhea. It can also lead to pancreatitis, which is an inflammation of the pancreas. Some breeds, like Miniature Schnauzers and Yorkshire Terriers, may be more prone to pancreatitis.

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