Apparently so, if you believe what you read. Krispy Kreme, a.k.a. breakfast central for the masses, has introduced yet one more item to their lineup of healthy breakfast foods:

“Krispy Kreme Introduces NEW Whole Wheat Doughnut. 100% Whole Wheat and Only 180 Calories!” the advertisement hollers at me (via email.)

Somehow I doubt it. I just plain doubt it. I don’t question the calorie count, because if they didn’t tell the truth about that they would be in big trouble. What I DO doubt is that there is anything more nutritious about this particular doughnut vs. any other Krispy Kreme, or any other doughnut, for that matter.

Realistically speaking, Krispy Kremes are very small doughnuts, hence the 180 calories. What I really want to know is what else is in this doughnut? How much fat? How much sugar? What else? Exactly what percent of that flour is made frome whole wheat? How much fiber am I really getting? And perhaps most importantly, how am I going to feel by lunchtime if I eat this for breakfast?

It’s possible that those who consume doughnuts do get a miniscule amount of nutritional something from them. But the fact is that doughnuts are possibly the worst breakfast food on earth. Personally, I don’t consider doughnuts to be food at any time of day.

If, however, you are a fan of doughnuts, I have a suggestion. Don’t bother with a whole wheat doughnut unless you really love the flavor of whole wheat. Eating a doughnut for its nutritional value is a bust. The only real reason to eat a doughnut is because you like it.

– Jolene Thym

I just went through a McDonald’s drive-thru for a Diet Coke (they’re tied with Arby’s for the best fountain soda mix around) and am feeling rather discontent over something weird they’re doing.

Apparently this particular McDonald’s (and with two kids I’ve visited just about every one in the Bay Area), in Castro Valley, is trying out some sort of “personalized face service” thing.

You pull up like usual to the menu, complete with its enticing pictures and prices and specials and such. You stare at said menu as usual, telling yourself you’re only getting a Diet Coke while wondering if you should get a caramel sundae to go with it.

However, when you’re ready to order, you notice a sign screaming at you to pull ahead to the window for face-to-face ordering. OK, I think, they’re trying something new.

I pull up, order a drink and pay without too much excitement and then drive to the second window to pick it up. All’s well until I start thinking about this concept.

So what’s the big deal, you might say? Well, what if you’re not sure what you want and you want the option of being swayed at the last minute by the juicy color photo of a Big Mac? Or say you want to change your mind and get a dessert, so you check out the selection. (Apple pie or a shake? Hmmmm).

Or maybe you weren’t going to get fries, but you see they’re only $1 on the bargain menu, so you throw in an order of those.

With the face-to-face service, it’s just you and the face, baby. No menu. No disembodied voice waiting while you make up your mind or change your mind or spontaneously add an order of grease sticks to up your cholesterol.

Doesn’t McDonald’s realize that the anonymity of the speaker box is a good thing? That we don’t WANT to look someone in the eye while ordering such naughty food?

I can just see it. You’re alone in the car, you pull up to the window and then, rather sheepishly, order enough food for three people while the order taker looks at you like you’re a piggy.

“It’s for my family at home,” you stammer. Yeah right.

Or what about the easily confused among us? The people ordering for three kids with all of their pickiness. Having a menu to gaze at can give method to the madness of Happy Meals with apple dippers or fries or milk or three kinds of soda. What if you forget your soda choices? Will the order taker recite them to you as the kids scream out their choices? No thank you!

I actually don’t eat many things at McDonald’s, but when I need a DC, I’d rather just get it the easy way.