Joey Chestnut Retains Hot Dog Eating Champion Title, Consumes Astonishing Number of Calories

Brooklyn, New York – In a Fourth of July tradition, competitive eating superstar Joey Chestnut solidified his dominance by once again emerging victorious in the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest.

Despite a delay due to stormy weather, Chestnut devoured an impressive 62 hot dogs and buns in just 10 minutes at the event held in Coney Island.

Last year, Chestnut secured his 15th win by consuming 63 hot dogs and buns, and in 2021, he set a record with an astounding 76. Meanwhile, in the women’s division, eight-time champion Miki Sudo triumphed by devouring 39.5 hot dogs and buns.

One question that often arises after such jaw-dropping feats is the caloric intake of the competitors. For Chestnut, each Nathan’s Original Coney Island natural casing beef frank accounts for approximately 170 calories, while a Nathan’s restaurant-style bun contributes around 130 calories. Based on these figures, Chestnut’s 62 hot dogs and buns would equate to an astonishing total of 18,600 calories consumed during this year’s contest alone. Last year, his 63 hot dogs and buns pushed the calorie count to 18,900, and during his record-breaking year with 76, the figure skyrocketed to a mind-boggling 22,800 calories.

Aside from the calorie overload, the hot dogs Chestnut devours also contain 16 grams of total fat and 480 milligrams of sodium per dog, with each hot dog accounting for about 21% of the daily recommended values for an average individual. Consequently, Chestnut’s fat and sodium intake this year amounted to 992 grams and 29,760 milligrams, respectively.

While these eating feats might seem unbelievable, competitive eaters like Chestnut have trained their bodies to accommodate large quantities of food. Through regular practice, they learn to stretch and relax their stomachs, enabling them to consume more. They often rely on low-calorie foods and liquids such as water, diet soda, watermelon, and cabbage to facilitate the process. However, there are risks involved, as participants may experience side effects ranging from nausea, painful gas, vomiting, heartburn, and diarrhea. More severe consequences, such as choking, esophageal inflammation, and even stomach rupture, can also occur.

To ensure safety, Major League Eating, the governing body overseeing professional eating contests, including Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, adheres to strict safety protocols. These measures include having an emergency medical technician present at events and permitting only participants who are 18 years of age or older.

As the hot dog eating champion for yet another year, Joey Chestnut has proven his remarkable ability to consume an astounding number of calories, demonstrating his dominance in the world of competitive eating.