Let's Talk Over Donuts and Coffee

Who does not love a donut? My first job was pushing donuts at Mister Donut, and my greatest memory was being able to bring home as many donuts each day as I wanted. And I did—without gaining an ounce.

These days, I, like others, can’t look at a donut without gaining 2 pounds. I close my eyes when I drive by a donut joint.

So I’m a bit conflicted over Dunkin’ Donuts’ new healthy push. The chain is dreaming up lighter fare—items with fewer than 400 calories, like its new Turkey Sausage Breakfast Sandwich. And, bless its heart, it is partnering with  Runner’s World to develop 5K and 10K training programs. Thank you. Because without a running plan, Dunkin’ Donuts fans could end up in a pine box unseemly early. So, yes, the lower-calorie meals and running plan are great.

But on the other hand, the chain has incredibly efficient gift cards you can load online, including mobily, for yourself or to give as a gift. (Let’s make paying for our sins as easy as possible.)

And then, have a look at its latest promotion. Earlier this month, Dunkin’ Donuts announced its Spring Pastel Donuts. Yum. Here’s the description from its press release: The Spring Showers Donut features a yeast shell, filled with apple raspberry jelly, and topped with strawberry and pastel green icing drizzle over white dipping icing. The Spring Fling Donut is a yeast ring donut, frosted with strawberry icing and topped with pastel green and pastel yellow drizzle. Both Spring Pastel Donuts are available at participating Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants nationwide through May.

But of course, don’t eat them. Be DDSmart and opt for the Egg White Veggie Flatbread. You see what I mean about being conflicted? It’s like sending an alcoholic into a liquor store for bottled water. It’s just probably not going to happen.

Maybe the healthy options are to eliminate the veto factor. Let’s imagine that for a second.

“Mom, I want three jelly-filled donuts for breakfast.”

“You do? I kind of feel like oatmeal. They have great oatmeal at Dunkin’ Donuts. Go jump in the car, kids.”

Or the other way around. Mom wants to feed her kids nutritiously, so she hauls the fam to Dunkin’ Donuts to get them egg whites while she scarfs down a Boston Kreme filled glazed yeast donut.  “Keep your mitts off my donut and hurry up with that egg white, Susie.”

Well, I was going to finish up by talking about coffee here, but I got carried away with donuts. However, I did write an article for the April issue of The National Culinary Review about spiked coffee drinks. You can find that on the right under “The Bigger Buzz.”

Tell me what you think.

Jody

Comments

[Carol Lally]

I love your take on donuts, Jody! Looking forward to seeing what you'll think about Voodoo Donuts in Portland.