You Ask, I Answer: Dunkin' Donuts Healthier Options

Dunkin' Donuts recently came out with their new line of "DDSmart" options.

I am wondering what you think of them.

-- Dennise O'Grady
Bay Head, NJ

Dunkin' Donuts defines its DDSmart options as those that are "reduced in calories, fat, saturated fat, sugar, or sodium by at least 25 percent compared to base product or other appropriate reference product" and/or "contain ingredients that are nutritionally beneficial."

Technically, then, a 600 calorie muffin laden with sugar and saturated fat could be labeled "DDSmart" if it meets criteria #2 (healthful ingredients) by adding a sprinkle of ground flaxseed.

In essence, they are setting up guidelines that enable them to label some not-so-great options as "DDSmart."

This is why corporate, self-imposed nutrition criteria is always slightly suspect.

Consider, for instance, the inclusion of a 450 calorie blueberry muffin. It's a "DDSmart" option simply because it contains a quarter less fat than a traditional blueberry muffin.

What you aren't being told is that there is only a sixty calorie difference between the two muffins.

Dunkin' Donuts is counting on people to think "oh, it's a low fat muffin! It must be low-calorie, too!"

This nebulous advertising clearly demonstrates why calorie labeling is so crucial.

Another odd DDSmart choice? The egg and cheese English muffin, which provides a quarter of a day's worth of saturated fat and a third of the sodium daily limit.

If healthful ingredients is what they are looking for, why not at least bump the fiber content up by using 100% whole wheat English muffins?

The least offensive item -- apart from low-calorie coffees made with skim milk -- is the egg white and vegetable flatbread sandwich.

The multigrain bread contains some whole wheat flour and the entire sandwich clocks in at 290 calories. Still, you're looking at 680 milligrams of sodium.

The smartest thing you can do is not depend on fast food companies for your daily breakfast needs.

You Ask, I Answer: Doughnuts

Is there any [nutritional] difference between regular doughnuts and cake doughnuts?

-- Melissa Yeats
Boston, MA

Yes.

Cake doughnuts usually contain 30 to 50 percent more total -- and saturated! -- fat than regular (yeast-based) doughnuts.

As a result, these cake-like pastries usually provide anywhere from 50 to 100 more calories than their yeast-based counterparts.

This reminds me -- don't feel too safe ordering Dunkin' Donuts munchkins. Some of them pack quite a punch.

Example? Four glazed chocolate cake munchkins add up to 300 calories.

That same amount of jelly-filled yeast-based munchkins provides a more reasonable 192 calories.

Numbers Game: Answer

A half cup of canned peach slices in heavy syrup contains approximately 4.5 teaspoons of added sugar.

Yikes.

Not only does that tack on 72 completely worthless calories, it also offers one more teaspoon of added sugar than a glazed Dunkin' Donuts concoction.

As for the 10% of the potassium daily value offered in half a cup of natural peach slices? It decreases by half in its canned form.

Vitamin C levels are also slashed by 50 percent when peaches undergo this kind of processing.

In The News: Missing In Action

Ronald McDonald has some 'splaining to do.

His fast-food chain has been "awarded" the most violations for not posting calorie information on various of their New York City stores' menu boards.

In total, 682 violations have been handed out since April.

"About 300 citations were issued during the first six weeks the rules took effect, which was considered a grace period, and did not carry fines. Since then, 388 violations were issued that carry fines between $200 and $2,000 each," reports Crain's New York Business.

McDonald's has acquired 103 violations, Dunkin' Donuts is not far behind with 89, and local fried chicken chain Crown Fried Chicken rounds out the Top 3 with 39 violations to its name.

"Some citations were given for non-compliance and others punished restaurants for not posting information the way the regulations require. For instance, a few restaurants were fined for putting the information in the wrong place or using lettering that was too small."

I notice the linked news article displays a sole comment from someone named "Joe" who claims calorie labeling is "nannying" and "a violation of... life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness."

Considering the amount of people I have heard voice a similar statement, Joe is joking.

For the life of me, though, I have no clue what civil liberties are violated by asking restaurants to post calorie content information.

I also fail to see how such a request can be considered "nannying."

Nobody is being forbidden from buying an 1,100 calorie milkshake. It isn't taxed more heavily than a less caloric option. There isn't a limit on how many times you can order it, or at what time of day.

So where, exactly, is the "you can't tell me what to eat!" defensiveness coming from?

Numbers Game: Answer

A Dunkin' Donuts corn muffin has 220 MORE calories than one of their blueberry cake donuts.

That's right.

The corn muffin provides 510 calories, while a blueberry cake donut adds up to 290.

The muffin also has 2 more grams of fat (18 to the donut's 16) and twice the sugar (32 grams of it, compared to the 16 grams in the donut).

Remember, a muffin is essentially a slice of cake for breakfast.

Numbers Game: Make Your Choice

A Dunkin' Donuts corn muffin has _____ _______ calories than one of their blueberry cake donuts.

a) 150 LESS
b) 220 MORE
c) 185 LESS
d) 140 MORE

Leave your guess in the "comments" section (no peeking at the Dunkin' Donuts nutrition information!) and come back on Monday for the answer.

America Runs (?) on Dunkin' Donuts

And very likely gasping for air after sixty seconds, if it frequently consumes two of the famed donut shop's newest products.

A large Milky Way Hot Chocolate contains 400 calories, 58 grams (14.5 teaspoons) of sugar, 35 percent of the daily sodium limit, and an astounding 60 percent of the daily saturated fat limit.

Even the small size packs in a hefty 30 percent of a day's maximum saturated fat intake.

If you choose to accompany that beverage with a new Sausage Supreme Omelette Sandwich, be sure to give your arteries a heads up the night before.

By the time you swallow the last bite, the sandwich has provided 530 calories, 72 percent of the daily saturated fat limit, 45 percent of the daily sodium limit, and a measly two grams of fiber!

Sadly, the sausage supreme pales in comparison to the Bacon Lover's Supreme Breakfast Sandwich. Do you really want to start your day with 640 calories, 95 percent of the daily saturated fat limit, and 47 percent of the daily sodium limit?