In my opinion, there are two types of people in the world: those loyal to eggs-bacon-and-toast breakfast and those who like to indulge in sugary baked goods for the most important meal of the day — or anytime.
Although the habit of eating high amounts of sugar right when you start the day may not be super healthy, there are actual benefits to that doughnut you love having with your coffee on your way to work.
Doughnuts provide you with a boost of energy in the morning because they are high in sugar. They can also put you in a good mood. In addition, these delicious baked rings can even encourage you to get some exercise done! So, don’t take the bad rep for granted; doughnuts have their advantages.
Doughnuts have gained quite a bad reputation, but we’re here to shine a new light on these delicious baked goods that always put a smile on our faces. Read on to discover just how beneficial your sneaky morning treat is for you!
1. Can bring color into our lives.
Who doesn’t enjoy looking at a bakery window full of beautifully crafted and colorful doughnuts? It’s a satisfying image. It’s impossible to deny that doughnuts look stunning everywhere, no matter what you think of them. Make your living room or kitchen more colorful and enjoyable with a photo of splendidly decorated doughnuts. Doughnuts can also serve as a cute birthday party decoration.
2. Good mood.
You know when you are having a bad day, and nothing can make you feel better? Sometimes sugary treats are just what we need to wind down and leave all the stress behind.
Enjoying a delicious doughnut, be it the traditional glazed or one filled with your favorite jam and toppings, can make you forget all about the reason why you’re not enjoying life to its fullest right now. So get up and treat yourself to a doughnut from your favorite local shop.
3. Encourages people to work out.
If you’re feeling guilty about indulging in one — or maybe two — doughnuts, you can walk to your local doughnut shop instead of driving. That will help you burn a few calories before eating your warm sugary treat. Then, if you still feel like you shouldn’t have had all that sweetness, you can walk (or run) back home after eating your tasty snack.
4. Help you kick off your day.
Doughnuts are usually high in sugar, essential to giving your body the energy it needs to accomplish your daily tasks. The cakes are also loaded with carbohydrates, which provide energy for the body. The body converts carbohydrates into glucose, which enters the bloodstream. Blood cells, the brain, and the central nervous system all depend on glucose for proper functioning. So, while you can get those benefits from fruit, you’re allowed to indulge occasionally in a doughnut.
5. Cherish your childhood.
Oh, the days when we could eat without consequences, without worrying about calories, weight, blood cholesterol, diabetes, etc. The days you could eat an entire doughnut without feeling guilty or stressing about burning out those calories and fat you just consumed. The family trips to Krispy Kreme, and the freshly baked doughnuts roll through the window with machines frying them to perfection and pouring the liquid sugar on top.
Can’t you just smell the aroma from when the doughnut shop door opened right now? Wouldn’t it be nice to feel that freedom again, if only for a brief moment?
6. Might help enhance your memory.
There’s scientific research that studied the relationship between having doughnuts and coffee and enhanced memory. Gary Wenk explained the link in this article published on Psychology Today. Since you have not eaten for 8 hours, your blood sugar levels have fallen to deficient levels while you were sleeping.
Get ready for a quick biology lesson. Your brain needs sugar (glucose) to function normally. Sugar provides energy to your neurons and enables them to communicate with each other. When your neurons are entirely deprived of sugar, they will begin to die within a few minutes.
As sugar is absorbed into the brain, it produces acetylcholine, which is a crucial neurotransmitter chemical. It is essential for memory, attention, and mood regulation, as well as movement control. Choline is one of the components of acetylcholine and is found in lecithin, a substance commonly found in donuts and cupcakes, and chocolate.
7. Can get you to your goals faster.
We all need a break for working so hard toward our goals. So you need to recover from all the stress now and then by having an extra-rich dessert such as an indulgent cream-filled doughnut, and for an extra treat, an alcohol-infused doughnut (only if you’re 21 and older).
The same goes for following a strict diet. In the end, these are unsustainable and ultimately lead to failure. Moderation is key. In my opinion, no one can (or should) live on vegetables alone. Eventually, you’ll need to give in and treat yourself.
8. Let you break the rules once in a while.
Sure, we all have to take care of our health. Eating healthy is number one when it comes to ensuring that our bodies will not let us down. However, everything needs to be done with balance. Having a doughnut sporadically will not do you any harm (unless you have a medical condition that prohibits you from having such sweets).
9. An affordable snack.
Did you know you can get a dozen glazed doughnuts for the price of a regular meal?
10. A great way to make friends.
Everybody will surely love you at the office if you arrive with a box of doughnuts to share with your colleagues. Sharing a box of delicious doughnuts is a great way to start making friends and getting to know people because everyone will want to stop by your desk to thank you for the treats.
If you are new at your job, make an excellent first impression with a couple of dozens of assorted doughnuts. If you want to step up your game, you can even get some fancy ones from a local doughnut shop.
11. Can help you reach your calorie intake for the day.
One original glazed doughnut has approximately 190 calories. If you are trying to increase your body mass, doughnuts can help you quickly achieve your goals. Did you know Renée Zellweger ate 20 doughnuts a day because she needed to gain weight to play Bridget Jones?
If you find yourself in a similar situation, perhaps you are a bodybuilder. Why not indulge in some delicious doughnuts? Pick your favorite and get those calories in!
12. Have some nutrients.
It may not seem like it, but doughnuts are full of fat, phosphorus, carbohydrates, and vitamin B1. In addition, doughnuts filled with fruit jam can add vitamin C and zinc to the combo. So even if they are not 100% healthy, you can still get some good stuff from them.
If you eat one of those cheese-stuffed doughnuts, you can also get some calcium. Or sprinkle some cinnamon for a bonus — it regulates blood pressure and helps with sleeping and nasal congestion.
13. Give you a chance to try something new.
If you have never had a sugary fried ring known as a doughnut, stop reading this article (and all of your other work!) and head to a Krispy Kreme or Dunkin’ right now. This is your chance to check something off your bucket list and discover the myriad of doughnut flavors out there.
If you’ve been a fan of doughnuts for a while, why not try a new flavor? That will also give you the excitement that comes with exploring new things.
14. Great survival food.
If one day you’re in a situation where you don’t have a lot of money to buy food, doughnuts can save you from suffering. Since they are full of carbohydrates and fat — two nutrients that fuel our bodies — they can help you survive for days without other types of food. Some doughnuts have approximately 500 calories. So if you eat three, that might be all the calories you need in a day.
15. Great way to know international cuisine.
Almost every country in the world has its version of this American treat. In South Africa, doughnuts are served with mince, honey, syrup, or jam. Tunisians deep-fry doughnuts and cover them with honey syrup. When vanilla and orange juice are combined with sesame seeds, they enhance the flavor and make the dessert more appealing. Nepalese Sel roti is a homemade rice doughnut made from ring-shaped rice usually served during Tihar.
16. They will never get boring.
There are many variations of the original doughnut out there that it’s almost impossible to feel sick of them. Are you tired of the bland but delicious traditional glazed doughnut? Try a cronut, an infusion of croissants and doughnuts. Are you craving a fried pastry in France? Go for a beignet—spice up your regular coffee and doughnut combo with a chocolate-frosted, cream-filled doughnut.
All things considered
It’s hard to resist the temptation of the warm and freshly made doughnut. Food not only nourishes our body, but it also supports our well-being. The pleasure of eating what you crave can help you cope with tension, anxiety, and depression. After reading this article, there is no doubt that donuts can be beneficial to our lives.
This article was co-authored by our team of writers and editors who share one thing in common: their passion for food and drinks!
JC Franco
JC Franco works as a New York-based editor at Foodrinke, driven by his lifelong love for food. His culinary journey began in childhood, as he eagerly assisted his mother with her local sandwich and bakery business, relishing every opportunity to sample her creations. Known among family and friends as an easy eater, JC has a particular affinity for Chinese, Italian, Mexican, and Peruvian cuisine. At Foodrinke, he channels his passion for food into his work, sharing his enthusiasm and knowledge with readers.