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Sometimes I will eat several hot dogs in an evening.

By Shereen Jegtvig, About.com

Updated February 13, 2008

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Hot dogs are high in calories and low in nutritional value.

Hot dogs are high in calories and low in nutritional value.

Photo © Afonso Lima
Question: Sometimes I will eat several hot dogs in an evening.
I usually eat a very balanced diet, high in fiber, fruits, vegetables and low in meats and fats. Every so often though I get the urge to just binge. This happens once every few months. Sometimes I will eat seven or eight hot dogs in an evening.

How can I eat this large amount of food and not gain any weight?

Jimbo - About.com User

Answer: I think the reason you do not gain weight is because the vast majority of time you eat a healthy diet. Eating eight hot dogs would be equal to about 2400 calories if you are eating frankfurters and hot dog rolls. This is equal to less than one extra pound of fat on your body.

If you regularly eat a healthy diet with the right amount of calories and only binge on the hot dogs once every three months, those extra calories aren't going to make much of a difference over time. Of course if the hot dog eating festival becomes more regular, you will gain weight.

There is also the possibility that when you eat too many hot dogs, you may eat less for a day or so, which would allow your body the make up for the extra calories within a few days.

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