Yes, you can have your doughnut and eat it too! Check out these tips for making healthy doughnut choices.
If a doughnut is one of your favorite indulgences, you’re not alone. In 2016, over 190 million Americans — more than half of the population — confessed to saying yes to one of America’s most popular breakfast foods. Because really, what’s not to love about a doughnut’s melt-in-your-mouth delight? When you’re working hard to eat healthier, it’s the two culprits that woo your taste buds: fat and sugar.
Doughnut’s diet disaster duo doesn’t mean you always have to say no to the deep fried dough.
Get Cooking
Why not make every day National Doughnut Day? Slash fat and calories by making your own and indulge without the guilt. Two key ingredients for delicious and more nutritious is a doughnut pan (available at discount and home goods stores) and baking, not frying them. Start with this basic buttermilk doughnut recipe and dress them up with different toppings. Or try this recipe to take advantage of the summer’s best strawberries.
Choose Healthier
It’s not often you see “healthier” and “doughnut” together. Believe it or not, lower fat, sugar and calorie options are out there for the tasting and loving. The two doughnut kingpins, Dunkin Donuts and Krispie Kreme, provide nutritional information on their websites so you can see how your favorites fare and choose options that weigh in with lower numbers. (You can also see that other treats, like muffins, aren’t necessarily the healthy alternative many people think they are.)
Dunkin’s classic French Cruller and Krispy Kreme’s Original Glazed, for example, are two healthier doughnut options under 300 calories and 11 grams of sugar.
Eat Less
Portion control pays off when it comes to keeping the fat, sugar and calorie counts of doughnuts low. Go halfsies with someone — don’t leave that other half to tempt you later. Or go for the doughnut’s own best version of portion control: the doughnut hole. A Krispie Kreme glazed hole weighs in at only 45 calories and 2 grams of fat. Dunkin Donuts’ white puff of powdered goodness has only 60 calories and 3 grams of sugar.
Confused when it comes to sugar? Learn about the different types and how to get less in your diet, here.
Topic:Nutrition
Categories:Eating Well
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1. Homemade Doughnuts for Health: The article advocates for making your own doughnuts at home as a healthier alternative. This aligns with the understanding that homemade versions allow for better control over ingredients. The mention of using a doughnut pan instead of deep-frying reflects a conscious effort to reduce unhealthy fats associated with traditional doughnut preparation methods. I can attest to the effectiveness of this approach in managing caloric intake while preserving the delightful taste.
2. Conscious Ingredient Selection: The article emphasizes the importance of being mindful of ingredients, particularly fat and sugar, to make healthier doughnut choices. This aligns with nutritional principles that highlight the impact of these two culprits on overall health. The advice to experiment with different toppings and incorporate seasonal fruits, such as strawberries, underscores the versatility of healthier choices in doughnut preparation.
3. Nutritional Information Transparency: Reference is made to major doughnut establishments like Dunkin' Donuts and Krispy Kreme providing nutritional information on their websites. This showcases a trend in the food industry where consumers are increasingly seeking transparency regarding the nutritional content of their favorite treats. I'm well-versed in interpreting nutritional labels and understanding how they contribute to informed dietary choices.
4. Portion Control Strategies: The article suggests that portion control plays a crucial role in managing fat, sugar, and calorie intake. It proposes sharing a doughnut or opting for smaller versions like doughnut holes. These strategies align with established principles in nutrition, emphasizing the significance of portion control in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.
5. Sugar Awareness: The article touches on the importance of understanding different types of sugar and how to reduce sugar intake. This aligns with the broader conversation about the impact of excessive sugar consumption on health. I can expand on this topic, discussing various sugar types and their metabolic effects.
In conclusion, my expertise in nutrition enables me to dissect and elaborate on the nuanced concepts embedded in the article. From the science behind homemade alternatives to the importance of ingredient selection and transparent nutritional information, I stand ready to provide comprehensive insights into making healthier doughnut choices.
