Hot Dog: Calories, Nutrition Facts, and Health Benefits (2026)

A hot dog, per 1 frankfurter without a bun (52 g), contains 151 calories, 5.2 g of protein, and 2.1 g of carbohydrates. It is notable for its high sodium content, with 567 mg per serving, and provides 5.0 g of saturated fat.

This page provides a comprehensive overview of the nutritional profile of hot dogs, focusing on a standard serving size of 1 frankfurter without a bun. It includes details on calories, macronutrients, and health considerations.

Hot Dog Nutrition Facts (Per Serving and Per 100 g)

The following table outlines the nutrition facts for a hot dog per serving, highlighting key components such as calories, protein, and fat content.

Values are for 1 frankfurter, no bun (52 g).

Nutrient	Per Serving	Per 100 g	% Daily Value (per serving)
Calories	151	290	8%
Protein	5.2 g	10.0 g	10%
Carbohydrates	2.1 g	4.0 g	1%
Fiber	0.0 g	0.0 g	0%
Sugar	0.8 g	1.5 g	-
Fat	13.5 g	26.0 g	17%
Vitamin C	0.0 mg	0.0 mg	0%
Potassium	74 mg	143 mg	2%
Saturated Fat	5.0 g	9.6 g	25%
Sodium	567 mg	1090 mg	25%

About 6% of hot dog calories come from carbohydrates, 14% from protein and 81% from fat.

Hot Dog by Health Goal

Here, we evaluate how hot dogs rate against common dietary goals, providing insight into their suitability for various nutritional objectives.

Goal	Rating	Why
Weight loss	Fair	151 calories per serving
Blood sugar / diabetes	Excellent	Glycemic load of about 1 per serving
Immunity	Fair	Not a significant source of immune-supporting nutrients
Digestion	Fair	Very low in fiber
Heart health	Fair	High in saturated fat (5.0 g per serving) and sodium (567 mg)
Muscle gain	Fair	Low in protein (5.2 g per serving)

Hot Dog and Blood Sugar

Glycemic index: 0. Glycemic load: 1 per serving.

Hot Dog has a glycemic index of about 0 and a glycemic load of around 1 per serving. Eating it with protein, fat or fiber slows the rise.

How Hot Dog Compares to Other Fast Foods and Prepared Meals

The comparison table below illustrates how hot dogs stack up against other fast foods and prepared meals, offering a clearer perspective on their nutritional value.

Food (per 100 g)	Calories	Protein (g)	Fat (g)	Sodium (mg)
Hot Dog	290	10.0	26.0	1090
Cheeseburger	268	14.0	13.0	533
Pepperoni	504	19.0	46.0	1582
Pizza	266	11.0	10.0	598

Hot Dog Myths, Checked

Hot dogs are just like any other meat , False. Hot dogs are processed meat, which is linked with higher health risks when eaten often.

Turkey hot dogs are a health food , Misleading. They are leaner but still processed and high in sodium.

How to Track Hot Dog

Restaurant and fast-food portions of hot dog vary a lot by brand and size, so a generic entry can be off by hundreds of calories. Nutrola identifies food from a photo, barcode or voice entry and returns calories and macros, so you can log hot dog accurately instead of estimating. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

For related references, see calories in every fast-food burger by chain, healthiest meals at every fast-food chain, and best fast-food meals with 30g protein or more.

Sources

Nutrition values are from the USDA FoodData Central database, shown per serving and per 100 g, rounded. Percent Daily Values use US reference intakes for a 2,000 calorie diet. Glycemic index and load are from published international tables and vary by variety, ripeness and cooking method. This is educational and not medical advice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How many calories are in a hot dog?

How many calories are in a hot dog? A hot dog contains 151 calories per 1 frankfurter without a bun (52 g). This calorie count is primarily derived from its fat and protein content.

Is hot dog good for weight loss?

Is hot dog good for weight loss? While hot dogs can be part of a weight loss plan, they are high in sodium and saturated fat, which may not align with all weight loss goals. Moderation is key.

Can people with diabetes eat hot dog?

Can people with diabetes eat hot dog? Yes, people with diabetes can eat hot dogs, as they have a glycemic index of about 0. However, it's important to consider the sodium and fat content.

How much protein is in hot dog?

How much protein is in hot dog? Each hot dog provides 5.2 g of protein, making it a source of protein, though it should be balanced with other nutrient-dense foods.

Is hot dog high in sugar?

Is hot dog high in sugar? No, hot dogs contain 0.8 g of sugar per serving, which is relatively low compared to many processed foods.

Are hot dogs bad for you?

Are hot dogs bad for you? Hot dogs can be part of a balanced diet, but they are processed meats that are high in sodium and saturated fat, which may pose health risks if consumed excessively.

Key Takeaways

• A hot dog contains 151 calories per serving.
• Each hot dog provides 5.2 g of protein.
• Hot dogs have 567 mg of sodium, which is high.
• They contain 5.0 g of saturated fat per serving.
• Hot dogs are low in carbohydrates, with only 2.1 g.
• They have a glycemic index of about 0, making them suitable for diabetics.