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<\/p>\nDelaney Nothaft
\n\u00a0|\u00a0 Special to USA TODAY<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
How to grill burgers on propane grill<\/p>\n
Perfect your grilling techniques with these 4 BBQ tips.<\/p>\n
ProblemSolved, USA TODAY<\/p>\n
You’ve likely been soaking up the sun<\/a> by the beach, lake or pool as summer begins. And these lazy days are often accompanied by the smoky aroma of hot dogs<\/a> on the grill.\u00a0<\/p>\n On days like this we don\u2019t have a worry in the world \u2013 let alone are we thinking about the health benefits and risks of hot dogs. But the truth is that in moderation and occasionally, a hot dog isn\u2019t going to break your body \u2013 though it\u2019s also important to know what exactly we are putting in our bodies. Mary Sabat, a nutritionist and owner of BodyDesigns<\/a>, previously told USA TODAY what you need to know about hot dogs.\u00a0<\/p>\n Are hot dogs healthy or unhealthy?\u00a0<\/p>\n It\u2019s complicated.\u00a0<\/p>\n Like many foods, there are benefits and risks when it comes to hot dogs. Sabat says that one of the benefits of hot dogs is that they have protein<\/a>. In an average hot dog, there are about 5 grams of protein.\u00a0<\/p>\n She also describes some of the drawbacks. “The biggest concern with hot dogs is the presence of nitrates and nitrites, which are additives used to preserve and enhance the color of processed meats<\/a>,” Sabat says. “During the cooking process or digestion, nitrates and nitrites can form nitrosamines, which are compounds that have been linked to an increased risk of certain cancers<\/a>, particularly colorectal cancer<\/a>.”<\/p>\n If you are concerned about nitrates or nitrites<\/a>, you can still enjoy hot dogs. “To address the potential risks associated with nitrates, some hot dog manufacturers now offer nitrate-free or uncured versions of their products,” Sabat says. “These alternatives use natural sources of nitrate, such as celery<\/a> juice, which can still form nitrosamines but in lower quantities. Nonetheless, it’s always a good idea to read the labels and choose options with fewer additives whenever possible.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n