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Hot Dogs And Other Processed Meats Are Even Worse For You When Grilled

This is a buzzkill. We knew that eating processed meats wasn’t the healthiest thing for us. Did you know that they’re even worse when grilled? That includes hot dogs and…

sausages on the grill

(Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

This is a buzzkill. We knew that eating processed meats wasn't the healthiest thing for us. Did you know that they're even worse when grilled? That includes hot dogs and brats. Not what we want to hear as we gear up for our 4th of July cookouts.

Dr. Frank Hu, a nutrition professor at Harvard, told The Grio that most health experts agree "processed meats are more harmful than non-processed meats." Grilling processed meats adds to the health risks due to the high heat forming additional carcinogenic effects. Those health risks include colorectal cancer, Type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

If you do a lot of summertime grilling like I do, you might want to switch up your menu. I may grill more salmon and vegetables after learning this information. Here are some of the processed meats that pose the highest health risks:

  • Bacon
  • Deli meats
  • Ham
  • Hot dogs
  • Jerky
  • Pepperoni
  • Sausage

Memorial Day weekend and summer are almost here. Let the grilling begin! Of course, for some us, the grilling never stops. That's one of the nice things about our weather in the Carolinas. We can cook our food outdoors practically year-round. The question is, what are your go-to grilling foods?

According to a survey of 3,000 U.S. adults conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Tabasco Brand, these are America's favorite foods on the grill:

Burgers (45%)

burgers on grill

(Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Chicken (43%)

chicken on grill

(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Hot Dogs (43%)

hot dogs

(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Steak (40%)

steaks on grill

(Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

Ribs (32%)

Guy Fieri grilling ribs

(Photo by Dylan Rives/Getty Images for SOBEWFF®)

Fish (29%)

fish on grill

(Photo by China Photos/Getty Images)

Vegetables (28%)

vegetables

(Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Shellfish (24%)

lobster on grill

(Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

Fruit (24%)

grilled pineapple

(Photo by Brian Ach/Getty Images for Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi)

Meat substitutes (Plant-based burgers, tofu, etc.) (22%)

veggie burger

(Photo by Adam Berry/Getty Images)

Phil Harris is 50% of "Phil & Mel in the Afternoon" on K104.7. He has been with the station since 2013 and on the air in Charlotte since 2000. Before coming to the Queen City, Phil worked for radio stations in Pittsburgh, Austin, and Seattle. In addition to the weekly "Throwback Threesome" music video feature, Phil writes about things that matter to Charlotte sports fans and pet owners. He happens to be both.