How Many Calories ... in a Hot Dog?

We Canadians just finished celebrating our country's birth on July first, and you folks in the USA will be doing the same this coming July 4th. And chances are you'll be celebrating by spending time with friends and family at a barbecue, where you'll enjoy plenty of goodies and maybe even a few adult beverages. Now, there's nothing wrong with indulging every now and then, but if you're watching what you eat, it's a good idea to get informed and know how many calories you're ingesting.

What foods will you be enjoying at your 4th of July barbecue? One item that's a staple at many of the events I've been to is hot dogs. Juicy, covered in ketchup and served on a fresh bun, few things say 'barbecue' like a dog. But my Spidey senses tell me they're not the best nutritional value out there. What do you think?

Yes, that's right. A regular hot dog has about 460 calories and 19 g of fat. That's not terrible, but it's not great either. And keep in mind, this is just for the meat and the bun -- if you're adding cheese to yours, that number will be much higher. And most people don't just eat one hot dog -- you'll probably load your plate with potato salad, fries and such. Pay attention to the sodium count too -- 973 g is a bit excessive!

Still, it's not the worst choice out there for a once-in-a-while treat. But if you're going to enjoy a hot dog, maybe cut that piece of cake in half.