What’s really in a hotdog? Nutrition experts explain

‘If you can’t forgo them entirely, most nutrition experts recommend eating hotdogs only once in a while.’ Composite: The Guardian/Getty Images

In 1969, the late writer William Zinsser toured a hotdog factory and described his visit in Life magazine, opening with the lines: “I’ve often wondered what goes into a hotdog. Now I know and I wish I didn’t.”

All these years later, his words still reflect our love/hate relationship with the humble wiener. We love eating them, but would rather not think about what’s in them.