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When you're in the mood to treat yourself, nothing sounds better than indulging in some doughnuts. Whether you like yours from Dunkin' Donuts or prefer an artisan creation, most people are blind to the negative effects these sweet treats have on our bodies. In fact, health experts say that they're one of the worst things for you! Here's why you should pick another snack next time you're craving something sweet:
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1. They're loaded with calories
Depending on the type of doughnut you're enjoying, a single doughnut can contain at least 300 calories!
2. They can lead to weight gain
"Even a single doughnut a day can lead to significant weight gain over time. If you add a doughnut a day to your regular diet and don’t exercise the calories off or cut down on calories elsewhere, you will gain about one extra pound every 10 days," according to Tammy Dray from Livestrong.
3. There's a lot of sugar in them, too!
Not only are doughnuts high in calories, but they also contain an alarming amount of sugar, too! "Even the plain doughnuts are high in sugar," says Dray. A single doughnut also contains more than half of the recommended daily sugar intake for women. Yikes!
4. Overconsuming them can lead to blood sugar issues
Overeating doughnuts on a regular basis can lead to problems with your blood sugar, including having erratic glucose levels and experiencing energy crashes.
5. They're lacking in nutrients
Just because they have a fruit filling doesn't mean that they have the same nutrients as fruit! Doughnuts are made with white flour and sugar, making them a highly refined and processed food.
6. Doughnuts have lot of sodium?
You wouldn't think that doughnuts were made with salt, right? But most flavors call for a hefty amount of sodium. Between the salt used in the frosting and the cake itself, you could be looking at 135-150 milligrams of sodium at least!
7. They have a lot of fat, too!
Most doughnuts contain at least 10-25 grams of fat, most of which is made up of saturated and trans fat. This is one of the many reasons why eating doughnuts can cause weight gain and lead to heart damage.
8. They're rarely served fresh
Unless you're ordering them bright and early when they're fresh from the oven, most doughnut chains serve doughnuts that have been sitting out all day. "In some places, the donuts are made in a big centralized kitchen and trucked to the different outlets, in which case they are not fresh...Fresh made donuts only stay fresh for a few hours and believe me, you do not want to eat a donut that is been sitting on a racks," according to Fitnea.
9. They're not made with fresh ingredients either!
"If [doughnuts] are made fresh onsite, the cooking process is another problem. At most of the famous donut chains, the oil is only changed once every 2 weeks," according to Fitnea. Ew!
