“You can’t buy happiness,
but you can buy donuts,
and that’s basically
the same thing.” 
Author Unknown

Growing up in San Francisco in the 1960s, Stemples Bakery on Bush Street was the place to go for the best donuts in The City. When I moved to the South Bay in 1972, it didn’t take long for me to hear about Stan’s Donuts on Homestead Road in Santa Clara and Lou’s Donuts, located at 17th & Santa Clara Streets in San José. Unlike Stemples and Lou’s, Stan’s is still alive and well, serving their signature glazed donuts (and more) to hundreds of Santa Clara Valley residents each day. 

In my college years, I loved donuts. They were convenient, affordable, and delicious. Since I was young and incredibly active physically, the donuts didn’t seem to have an adverse effect on my overall health. With age, that changed. Without giving it much thought, I continued to enjoy donuts on a regular basis until about two years ago. That’s when I said, “Enough!” (Actually, that’s when my scale said, “Enough!”)

Today is National Donut Day. I am proud to say that I have not had a donut in over two years. Just for fun, I Googled “Health Benefits of Donuts,” thoroughly expecting to be greeted by a web page filled with people laughing at me. I was surprised to come across listonic.com, a shopping list app. The information they provided was refreshingly honest.

Rather than a laughing emoji mocking me for my foolish Google search, the site provided this balanced information:

Health Benefits

• Provides Quick Energy from carbohydrates and fats, making them a source of immediate fuel.

• Enhances Mood and Satisfaction as an occasional treat, contributing to emotional well-being. When enjoyed as an occasional treat, donuts can bring moments of joy and balance to your diet, supporting a positive and healthy relationship with food.

• Encourages Social Bonding when shared during gatherings, celebrations, and social events.

• Can Include Essential Nutrients if made with wholesome ingredients such as eggs and milk.

Health Risks

• High Sugar Content which can contribute to weight gain, tooth decay, and increased risk of diabetes.

• High Fat Content, particularly in fried donuts, which can raise cholesterol levels and increase risk of heart disease.

• High Calorie Count which can lead to weight gain if donuts are consumed frequently.

• Low Nutrient Density, as donuts are primarily composed of refined flour, sugar, and fat.

I appreciate the balanced reporting on this topic. With this insightful information, the ball is now in our court — and an occasional donut doesn’t seem like such a destructive choice after all.