The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council estimate that Americans consume at least 20 billion hot dogs in a year, which is about 70 hot dogs per person each year. Hot dogs are relatively cheap, easy to cook and can be bought almost anywhere – not to mention they are tasty – making them a fan-favorite on almost every American household. Unfortunately, their reputation as one of the most unhealthy foods available is also quite popular. Packed with harmful nitrites, processed foods like hot dogs can cause detrimental effects on overall health.

A far cry from man's best friend

While they're a favorite among those who enjoy cookouts or those who simply like their taste, you won't find hot dogs on the favorites list of any health expert. A typical hot dog with ketchup and mustard contains around 290 calories and 900 mg of salt, most of which come from sugars and unhealthy saturated fat. It is also widely known that eating processed meats like hot dogs can increase your risk for certain diseases. Here are seven reasons to start replacing hot dog with something much healthier.