Although they say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, the truth is that everything you put into your body counts when it comes to maintaining optimal health. And as it turns out, while there are plenty of processed, health-ruining breakfast foods to avoid, there are also a lot of major offenders that may be working their way into your diet around dinnertime. When it comes to your heart health, in particular, there are a few foods that cardiologists want you to avoid as much as possible. That includes one type of processed meat.
To pinpoint one of the worst dinner foods that could be clogging your arteries and raising your risk of heart disease, we spoke to cardiologist Frederick Kuhn. Much to our dismay as lovers of summer cookouts, he told us that hot dogs are some of the biggest culprits. Read on for more info on the health risks of this deviously delicious food.
How hot dogs can ruin your heart health
If you enjoy a hot dog (or two) right off the grill at a fun-filled barbeque, you're not alone. However, if you're concerned about your heart health, Dr. Kuhn recommends steering clear of this processed red meat as much as possible.
"There’s a reason they are sometimes referred to as 'Death Darts,'" he warns. Dr. Kuhn points out that each hot dog has around 314 calories, a whopping 18.6g of fat, 810mg of sodium, and 24g carbohydrates. All in all, this is a disaster for your overall health, especially when it comes to your heart.
This summer staple can be especially detrimental when you consider the fact that most people don't stick to the recommended serving size. "Eating 2 (people rarely eat one at a summer cookout contributes) over 90% of total daily fat recommended for the average male on a 1500 calorie diet and over 2/3 of daily sodium intake," Dr. Kuhn says. Yikes!
Additionally, the processed nature of this meat poses a substantial risk. "They are highly processed and contain various preservative including sodium phosphate, sodium benzoate, and sodium nitrate which has been linked to cancer in some animal studies," he tells us.
Lisa Richards, nutritionist and creator of The Candida Diet, seconds this sentiment: "The processing involves additives, preservatives, and high levels of sodium, which can have negative health effects," she says. "The high sodium content contributes to increased blood pressure and cardiovascular risks."
She also makes note of the risks of the trans fats present in this food, "which can contribute to weight gain, elevated cholesterol levels, and increased risk of heart disease."
Ultimately, while enjoying a hot dog here and there won't kill you, limiting your intake of this meat as much as possible is a good rule to follow for your overall health, especially if you want to lower your risk of heart disease. Choosing lean meats and plant-based proteins instead is one great step in the right direction.
READ MORE: 3 Things To Stop Doing Because They Could Lead To Heart Disease
