With the 4th of July upon us, it is time to pay homage to another American tradition: The hot dog. Many of us are loyal hot dog eaters, as these numbers from the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council attest:

150 million – The number of frankfurters consumed by Americans on the Fourth of July

818 – The total number of hot dogs eaten each second from Memorial Day to Labor Day

6.1 bites – The average number of bites it takes to eat a hot dog (the .1 is often just a bit of bun)

The best hot dog All wieners are not created equal, by the way. Depending on the brand, a single hot dog can range from 100 to 260 calories, contain 390 to 680 milligrams of sodium, and include 63 to 207 calories from fat. The best hot dog is the healthiest one you can find, and, of course, the one that tastes great.

The find the best hot dog, before purchasing hot dogs at the supermarket, read the nutritional label on the package. The prime concerns are calories, sodium, and nitrate content. The occasional hot dog at a baseball game or family barbecue won’t hinder overall health, but remember, hot dogs are convenience foods and not a healthy choice for daily fare. [source: BA Parent]