How Eating Hot Dogs May Cause Diabetes in California?
The burning query, “How Eating Hot Dogs May Cause Diabetes in California” is indeed an eye opener of sorts.
Considered as one of the most iconic Californian foods, hot dogs are symbolic to baseball games, a summer barbeque, a speedy meal-on-the-go or just a casual snack.
We can confidently say that hot dogs are a part and parcel of the staple Californian Diet.
Nonetheless, seeing the fact that eating hot dogs can do more harm than good, health conscious Californians (especially those with a diabetic condition) should learn more about what they are eating.
So, let me get on with the write-up!
How Eating Hot Dogs May Cause Diabetes in California Article Contents:
Introduction
- The Popularity of Hot Dogs in California
- Importance of Understanding the Health Impact for Diabetics
A Brief on Diabetes
- Definition and Types of Diabetes
- The Role of Insulin in Blood Sugar Management
Nutritional Profile of a Hot Dog
- Calories and Fat Content
- Sodium Levels
- Protein Content
How Hot Dogs Affect Blood Sugar Levels
- The Impact of Carbohydrates in the Bun
- Processed Meat and Preservatives
- Insulin Spikes and Digestive Process
Complications for Diabetics in California
- Rapid Blood Sugar Increase
- Insulin Resistance
- Increased Risk of Heart Disease
- Weight Gain and Obesity
- Poor Nutritional Value
- Chronic Inflammation
Making Hot Dogs Healthier for Diabetics
- Choosing Whole Grain Buns
- Opting for Healthier Meat Options
- Adding Nutritious Toppings
- Limiting Hot Dog Intake
Takeaway
- Balancing Enjoyment and Health
- Practical Tips for Healthier Eating
- Embracing California’s Fresh Produce for Better Health
A Brief on Diabetes:
I really do not wish to waste your time explaining what diabetes is and their different types. Nonetheless, I need to divulge the basics linked with this blood sugar related disease.
So, here goes!
Diabetes is a health condition wherein you are unable to optimally utilize the glucose that is present in your blood.
So, where does your blood get its glucose from?
Well, you get it from the food you eat.
You eat food, which gets digested and a major chunk of the carbohydrate content present in your food is converted into glycogen. This is also termed as “sugar” in layman terms.
Nonetheless, this sugar can only be used by your body if it is able to make its way into your cells. For this to happen, it needs a mode of transport. This mode of transport is insulin.
Produced in the pancreas, insulin loads extra glucose present in the blood stream and shuttles it into your cells. If this happens, all is well. Nonetheless, if your insulin production is low or zero then, the glucose content in your blood continues to rise.
This is when you tend to develop diabetes. These are of three types:
Type 1 Diabetes: This is an auto immune disease wherein the insulin production is zero.
Type 2 Diabetes: This is a lifestyle initiated diabetes wherein the insulin production is low.
Gestational Diabetes: The third type is linked with maternity. Usually, this disappears when the baby is born.
What is Wrong with the Californian Hot Dog?
Well, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a hot dog. It tastes nice, fills your stomach and leaves you craving for some more. Nonetheless, it does not have the best of “nutrient” profile.
So, when you consume a single Hot Dog, this is what you get in return:
@ You consume almost 200 calories.
@ You are also consuming around 15 grams of fat. Out the 15 grams, 6 grams is saturated fats.
@ If you have blood pressure related issues then, a single hot dog shuttles 600 milligrams of sodium into your body.
@ Finally, you do get some protein. This is around 6 grams. Nonetheless, it is not of the highest quality.
How does a Hot Dog Affect Your Blood Sugar Levels?
When you are in California and near a sandy beach, the BBQ is never far behind. This is when your taste buds start to make their presence felt. This is also when your stomach starts to grumble.
After 2 minutes of deep thought, you cannot help but say out aloud, “There is no way I can avoid a hot dog today?”
The very next moment, your hot dog is on its way and a minute later, you have already taken its first juicy bite.
This is when reality kicks in and your blood sugar starts to scream out aloud!
So, how did a single hot dog in sunny California jeopardize your blood sugar levels?
Well, it’s time we found out:
The Ingredients:
The bun, as most of you might already be aware, is made of carbohydrates. It is a fast digesting carbohydrate made from refined flour.
The Insulin Spike:
So, here is what happens when you take your first bite.
The bun dissolves and starts to make its way into your digestive tract. The meat is loaded with unhealthy fats and some proteins.
Somehow, the meat in the hot dog manages to slow down your digestive process.
Nonetheless, the inclusive of preservatives, additives and condiments that accompany the hot dog are injurious to your health.
These are loaded with highly digesting carbs. These are quickly flushed into your digestive system and converted into glucose.
The spike that you get from these ingredients is almost instant – remember the feeling of utmost thrill when you bite into the hot dog!!!
The only good part in the hot dog is the presence of onions and tomatoes. I (BestDietarySupplementforDiabetics research staff) believe the California hot dog also contains ample amount of lettuce. All this is good as healthy fibers are being added to your “unhealthy” meal.
Nonetheless, despite these veggies, the inevitable insulin spike simply cannot be avoided.
Why Eating Hot Dogs in California Complicates the Lives of Diabetics?
If you are living in California then, you simply cannot live without a hot dog. It is a part and parcel of a typical Californian lifestyle. The problem arises when you are a diabetic.
This is when a single hot dog can complicate and jeopardize your blood sugar levels. This happens in a rather speedy manner.
So, before you take your first bite, do keep the below listed pointers in mind:
Your Insulin Shoots-Up:
I can fully understand your love for the “fluffy bun” wrapping your delicious meat patty. It is as though the hot dog is calling you out and saying, “Eat-me! Eat-me!”
Nonetheless, the delicious looking bun is loaded with fast digesting carbs. The moment your teeth sink into the bun, the carbs are shuttled to your digestive track and even before you know it, they have been already converted into glucose.
Now, if that was not enough, you decide to add some mustard onto the hotdog. This is when your sugar simply spirals out of control.
After all, ketchup and mustard are highly processed foods laden with preservatives and sugar.
You Develop Insulin Resistance
The moment you consume a hot dog, the saturated fats present in the hot dog tend to adversely affect your insulin production. The saturated fats have a tendency to stop insulin from entering your cells.
This is when you begin to face issues with special regards to glucose not reaching your cells. It also causes a lot of complications with regards to increased blood sugar in your blood.
We also term this as insulin resistance.
You Face Increased Risk of Heart Disease
Salt is the one of the main culprits when it comes to eating hot dogs in California. Do you know why? Well, sodium is known to increase your blood sugar levels in a jiffy.
Hot dogs are loaded with sodium. So, when you consume hot dogs, your blood pressure is bound to increase. This in turn shall also increase your chances of contracting cardiac diseases.
Concoction of Chemicals & Nitrates:
Your beloved hot dog is a concoction of harmful nitrates as well as toxic chemicals. Sodium nitrate is the main ingredient in hot dogs.
It adds to the taste and also ensures that your hot dog gets the “yummy pink color” in a jiffy. The presence of this synthetic material tends to cause inflammation in your guts.
When your body faces chronic inflammation, it also tends to give rise to insulin resistance. This in turn shoots-up your blood sugar levels.
You Shall Pack-On Unwanted Pounds:
When you consume a single hot dog, you add 150 calories to your body. These calories are not the healthiest. So, if you are eating hot dogs on a regular basis then, you are likely to add body weight.
Obesity is on the cards for those that are susceptible to gain weight. So if you are a diabetic and you eat hot dogs, it is highly likely that you shall gain weight and further complicate your blood sugar levels.
Hot Dogs Don’t Have the Best Nutrient Profile:
There is hardly any nutrition in hot dogs. Apart from fast digesting carbohydrates and protein fried in oil, there is not much to be had.
Even if you do add in a dash or two of onions and lettuce, the fiber thus obtained from these veggies, is negligible for your body. So in a nutshell, you get poor nutrition from eating hot dogs.
How Can You Make a California Hot Dog Edible for Diabetics?
If you are in the mood to eat hot dogs in California but you have diabetes or you fear getting diabetes then, you need not to worry.
You do not have to quit on your hot dogs!
So, how can you continue eating hot dogs without worrying about your health???
Well, here are a few ways wherein you can make your hot dogs healthier.
Let us discuss these in brief:
Whole Grain Buns:
First and foremost, you need to make sure that you avoid eating buns made from refined flour. Traditional buns are surely going to spike your blood sugar levels. This is because they are fast digesting carbohydrates.
So, what can you do now? After all, a hot dog cannot be called a hot dog without a bun.
The answer is simple. You need to change your bun variety.
So, instead of the olden refined flour bun, switch to a healthier option. For example, opt for whole wheat or multi grain bun.
These may not be the healthiest of choices but these buns shall ensure that you are able to consume more fibers. Buns made from whole grain shall also be digested slowly, so your blood sugar shall not spike.
Change Your Choice of Meat:
A traditional Californian hot dog contains meat that is made from sausage and beef. Both sausages and beef used in hot dogs is highly processed.
This in turn implies that the level of chemicals and nitrates used in meat derived from pork and beef is unhealthy and can spike your blood sugar levels.
So, what should you do now?
Well, you can simply hope to replace it with healthier meat options. Some of these include meat derived from turkey or from chicken. Both these options are ideal for ensuring better health.
Turkey and chicken meat do not cause unwanted spike in your blood sugar levels.
Make Changes to Your Toppings:
Another wise option is to make certain changes to your toppings. It also needs to be noted that the traditional onion and lettuce toppings in a hot dog is not the best for your health.
So, try and add a few more nutritious ingredients to your existing diet.
Some of these include bell peppers, broccoli, avocado, pineapples, tomatoes, spinach or sauerkraut. You may also like to opt for pickles.
Doing so shall make your hot dogs nutritious. This adds vitamins, minerals and other essential macronutrients to your hot dog.
Limit Your Intake:
Last but not the least, you can also ensure that you avoid consuming hot dogs daily. So basically, instead of eating hot dogs daily, you can cut down this delicious snack to three times a week.
When you reduce the consumption of hot dogs, you can easily hope to maintain optimal health. This way, your blood sugar levels shall also not rise.
Takeaway
When you are in California, the sun, beaches and fresh air, compels you to munch on a hot dog. Nonetheless, eating hot dogs on a regular basis tends to jeopardize your health.
This is true with special regards to your blood sugar levels. Nonetheless, this does not mean that you quit on your favorite hot dogs. Simply make a few tweaks to the traditional hot dog.
Some of these tweaks include opting for a healthier bun, changing the meat type and finally, including fresh vegetable based toppings. Finally, reduce your hot dog intake levels.
When you follow the above steps then, you can easily hope to enjoy your hot dog without putting your health at risk.
For example, a whole gran bun topped with avocadoes/tomatoes/lettuce and clubbed with chicken/turkey meat shall reduce the rate of your blood sugar absorption.
Alternatively, do take advantage of the fresh product that California is so famous for. Consuming fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grain produce, shall keep you healthy for life.
I personally use a natural supplement to treat my type 2 diabetes.
By making these small changes, you can enjoy your favorite foods without compromising your health. Stay smart, stay healthy, and enjoy your food responsibly!
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