As National Hot Dog Month winds down, there is still plenty of barbecue season left. But the most popular items on summer grilling menus are likely the least healthy. Penn experts in health and nutrition weighed in on healthy choices to make, taking into account significant data from clinicians, and from organizations such as the World Health Organization, which reported in 2015 that processed meat was linked to an increased cancer risk.
“Eating foods that are highly processed, high in fat, and high in sodium, such as hot dogs, ground beef, and the toppings used to dress them, can impact one’s risk for heart disease and diabetes, among other diseases,” says Helene Glassberg, an associate professor of cardiovascular medicine. “While enjoying these foods occasionally may not put you at an increased risk, frequent consumption, coupled with other risk factors, such as obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and genetics, can quicken the onset of these life-threatening diseases.”
For a breakdown of health and nutrition factors for popular barbeque items like hot dogs, potato salad, and good old corn on the cob, read more at the Penn Medicine News Blog.
