There are few things more delicious than a Portillo’s hot dog — when you don’t think about all the myths you’ve heard about hot dogs over the years.
Many will question what the hot dog is made of, but these thoughts are often fleeting and end when it’s hidden by mustard, relish, onions, peppers, tomatoes, celery salt and a poppy-seed bun.
Things like the Oscar Meyer Weiner mobile makes the questionable food lovable and American. But watching how a hot dog wiggles when you shake it back and fourth is enough to ruin an appetite.
Myths abound about the food that goes hand and hand with “America’s past time,” so in this week’s food myth column, we address some of the most popular rumors about the hot dog.
*Hot dogs are made of leftovers: True*
But it’s not what it sounds like. Hot dogs are not made of leftover organs, but the muscle meat left after the cuts are made, said Rebecca Roach, associate professor of Food Science Health and Nutrition. Rumor has it that whatever hits the floor at the butcher ends up in hot dogs — brains, intestines, hoof meats, etc. You name it, people have (falsely) said it’s in a hot dog. Contrary to the disgusting imagery provided by urban legend, no gross organs end up in hot dogs, only leftover muscle meat.
*Hot dog casings are made of intestines: False*
Today intestines are not used to make the hot dog casing, but they used to be. In the olden days, before the era of process food and Costco, most sausages were cased in intestines as well. Now, the casing is often made of artificial food safe ingredients, Roach said.
While it’s good news that intestines are no longer involved, the words “artificial food safe ingredients,” are still a little terrifying.
*Hot dogs are easy to choke on: True*
But if you chew your food well, you should be fine. Roach said that really young children are the most prone to choking on hot dogs since they aren’t very good at chewing their food. But sometimes, Roach said, hot dogs are one of the few foods parents can get their kids to eat. The pieces are easily lodged in the throat if they aren’t chewed thoroughly, but hopefully as an adult, you wont have to worry about that.
*Turkey dogs are better for you than beef or pork hot dogs: False*
Between turkey dogs, beef hot dogs or pork hot dogs, there might be a slight difference in calories, Roach said. But one of the biggest concerns is sodium, which likely stays about the same between the varieties. And while turkey dogs may have fewer calories, the percent of those calories that come from fat is still very high.
Since a majority of hot dogs are pumped full of fats and sodium for flavor, Roach wouldn’t recommend making them a steady part of your diet. But every once in a while, indulging in a hot dog is okay.
“It’s part of the American culture,” she said. “It’s part of who we are — there’s nothing wrong with hot dogs.”
_Samantha is a senior in Media._