They also come with a decent amount of protein — 9 grams — and no mystery meat, just chicken. Less added chemicals? The difference between hot dog and sausage is basically in the origin of each and what they contain. According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, Americans eat 818 hot dogs per second between Memorial Day and Labor Day, which adds up to about 7 billion hot dogs. Find tips on how to enjoy them in moderation and the best hot dog brands to buy. To many people, hot dogs are as American as apple pie and baseball. If you are going to ask about “healthier,” what criteria are you using to decide that measure. From a calorie standpoint, the hot dog is the winner, but from an overall perspective, the hamburger is a better option. The earliest possible reference to a hot dog occurs in the late 17th century, when a sausage maker named Johann Georghehner may have first invented a sausage he called "little dachshunds," or "little dogs," after the dogs many today refer to as weiner dogs. In fact, NASA has approved hot dogs as a regular item on Apollo moon flights, Skylab missions and space shuttle flights. Incredibly delicious, hot dogs have become an integral part of the US culture. As meat products, hot dogs and sausages are good sources of vitamins, minerals and protein. These are the healthiest and unhealthiest hot dogs. Their All Natural Uncured Chicken Hot Dogs were named the best chicken dog by Health, and it's no wonder: They only contain 60 calories, 250 mg of sodium, and 2.5 grams of fat. Baseball in US is intricately linked with hot dogs, and no baseball game is complete without having hotdogs (and I mean spectators). Are you looking for less fat? Hot dogs are a grilling mainstay, and when compared with a cheese-covered burger or a juicy bratwurst, a standard-sized hot dog can actually be a healthier option. Hot Dog vs Sausage . But not all hot dogs are created equal, and some pack far more fat, calories and sodium into the casing than others. Sausages are referenced as far back as Homer’s Odyssey dated at about 850 BCE. Even for the health freaks hot dogs and sausages can be a positive component of a healthy diet. Find out all about hot dog nutrition facts and potential health risks. Total amount of protein? Hot dogs are cheap, easy to grill, convenient to eat one-handed, and associated with good times and great condiments. A hot dog sausage is normally like a frankfurter or wiener - skinless or with a very fragile thin skin, normally smoked, and with a smooth textured filling - they can be eaten cold, or warmed up in a couple of minutes.