National Hot Dog Month

July marks National Hot Dog Month, a full 31 days that celebrate one of America’s most iconic foods. Hot dogs are part of American culture, summer celebrations, travel and grilling traditions, according to the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council (NHDSC). They also are synonymous with the nation’s independence, with Americans expected to eat 150 million hot dogs on July 4 alone. During peak hot dog season from Memorial Day to Labor Day, Americans typically consume about 7 billion hot dogs.

“Let me be frank.  In a time when things feel uncertain, we can be sure of at least one thing: Hot dogs make people happy and make us feel less socially distant, whether we are sitting 6 ft. apart or meeting virtually,” NHDSC president Eric Mittenthal said.

Today, there are millions of different possible hot dog and topping combinations that meet a broad spectrum of nutrition needs, tastes, budgets and personal preferences. Like other prepared meats, NHDSC said Americans can enjoy hot dogs as part of a healthy diet. A standard beef hot dog is 190 calories, with 7 g of protein and 30% of the daily recommended value of vitamin B12, a crucial nutrient for normal metabolism, brain development in children and mental clarity in adults.