FEATURED TUFTS
EXPERT
Dariush Mozaffarian, MD,
DrPH, is a cardiologist, dean and
Jean Mayer Professor at the Tufts
Friedman School of Nutrition
Science and Policy, and professor of
medicine at Tufts Medical School.
He is also editor-in-chief of this
publication. Dr. Mozaffarian has
authored more than 400 scientific
publications on dietary priorities for
obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascu-
lar diseases, and on evidence-based
policy approaches to reduce these
burdens in the US and globally.
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IN COMING
ISSUES …
➧➧Keeping those
RESOLUTIONS
➧➧Raw foods and safety
➧➧HEARTBURN MEDS
and B12
➧➧Applying MyPlate to
mixed dishes
8 W W W. N U T R I T I O N L E T T E R . T U F T S . E D U
ASK TUFTS EXPERTS
Our Funding and Philosophy…Hot Dogs
Q Does the Tufts Health &
Nutrition Letter accept
any type of monetary or in-
kind consideration from food
or agricultural companies?
A Dariush Mozaffarian,
MD, DrPH, dean of the Tufts Health &
Friedman School of Nutrition Nutrition Letter is
Science and Policy and edi- subscription-funded
and receives no industry
tor-in-chief of this newsletter or advertising money.
responds: “The Tufts Health &
Nutrition Letter is solely subscriber supported. We
do not accept advertising, nor do we receive any
type of monetary or in-kind consideration from any
food or agricultural industry groups.
“A few readers asked if we received support
from meat or dairy boards after reading our April
2019 article, ‘Plant-Based and Unhealthy?’ Abso-
lutely not. The article in question aimed to get
readers thinking about food in a more nuanced
way. While many people think of ‘plant-based
foods’ as bioactive-rich, minimally processed
foods like fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, and
and can be misleading. Much of what is harmful in
the modern food supply is ‘plant-based’, including
highly processed foods rich in refined wheat, corn
starch, potato, other starches, added sugars, and
salt. While people who choose to be a vegetar-
ian or vegan are often health-conscious and aim
to consume healthier foods, cutting out animal
products alone is no guarantee of a healthful diet.
Every month we fill the pages of this newsletter
with advice to limit highly processed foods—
whether they are plant or animal based—and fill
one’s plate with fruits, veggies, beans, nuts, seeds,
and minimally processed whole grains.
“Among different animal sources of food,
the science shows that fish and yogurt are
healthy choices, cheese may lower risk of
diabetes, and other animal-based products like
eggs, poultry, and milk appear to be fairly neu-
tral in terms of overall health impact. This does
not mean to load up on animal products to the
exclusion of healthful plant-based choices. But
choosing cheese, eggs, or poultry in modera-
tion is often a healthier choice than eating
processed plant foods high in refined grains,
starches, sugars, and salt.
“The editorial team and advisory board here at
Tufts Health & Nutrition Letter remain committed to
putting out an interesting, relevant, and impartial
newsletter that provides you with the latest health
Image © abluecup | Getty Images
and nutrition information in the most accessible
and understandable way.”
Q Are hot dogs a healthy choice if I top them with
chopped lettuce, tomato, onions etc.?
A Melissa Townsend, MS, RD, a research as-
sistant at the Human Nutrition Research
Center on Aging, answers: “Hot dogs are a type
of processed meat, meaning they undergo a
preservation process prior to being sold for
consumption. Processed meats often have a
higher saturated fat content and higher sodium
content than other protein products, such as
a chicken breast or a fish filet. Additionally,
preservatives used in processed meats, such as
nitrates, are associated with negative health ef-
fects. Research has shown that consumption of
processed meat is associated with higher risk for
cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity,
chronic kidney disease, and some types of can-
cer. Unfortunately, adding fresh vegetables, like
chopped lettuce, tomato, and onions, does not
take away the risk factors associated with high
consumption of processed meats.
“Although
Image © Thais Ceneviva | Getty Images
the addition of
fresh toppings
to a hot dog
may not make
the hot dog
itself “healthier,”
eating fruit
and vegetable
side dishes can
always help you Limit hog dog consumption and
swap out sides like chips and soda for
create a health- healthier choices like fruit and water.
ier meal. As
recommended by MyPlate—based on the 2015-
2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans—and the
HNRCA MyPlate for Older Adults, half of your
plate should be fruits and vegetables to promote
an overall healthy dietary pattern that reduces
the risk of developing chronic diseases. The next
time you’re at an event where hot dogs or sau-
sages are a staple, consider eating a half portion
(particularly if they are of the jumbo variety) and
fill up your plate with fruits and vegetables rather
than other common sides like fries and chips,
which can also be high in sodium.”