Krispy Kreme planning a low-sugar alternative

AP ^ | 03/11/04

[Pokey78]

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Hot. Now. Healthy?

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, long known for its high-calorie treats, says it plans to offer a low-sugar doughnut.

The company's communications director, Amy Hughes, said Krispy Kreme hopes to use the new offering to attract dieters and diabetics to the company's stores.

Just one of Krispy Kreme's Hot Original Glazed doughnuts has 200 calories. More than half those calories come from fat, which gives the fried doughnut texture and flavor.

Each doughnut has 12 grams of fat and 10 grams of sugar. Hughes did not immediately return a phone call Thursday asking how much fat and sugar would be in the new doughnut, or when it would be offered.

A student at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine said that while a low-sugar doughnut is a good idea, he doubted he would give up on the original glazed variety.

"As for me, I'll die eating the fattening doughnuts," Clint Beaver said.

One of his med-school friends, Nathan Painter, found the whole idea of a low-calorie doughnut strange. "It just seems odd they're trying to be healthy," he said.

Still, he said, he would give one a try.

The idea of offering a low-sugar doughnut isn't new for Krispy Kreme.

"We've been looking at this for some time," Hughes said.

[Miss Marple]

How many carbs? LOL!

[mlo]

I don't like KK donuts. Far too sweet. Might as well just eat a lump of sugar. Maybe these new ones will actually be better.

[AmishDude]

Krispy Kreme doughnuts have no calories when they're hot, you know. So light and fluffy. It's only when they cool down that they cause a problem.

[zarf]

"As for me, I'll die eating the fattening doughnuts," Clint Beaver said.

Clint Beaver? Poor guy.

[areafiftyone]

Ahhh it's not gonna taste the same. I am a diabetic and I have to stay off of carbs (except Complex carbs) and sugar. Anything that I eat that is sugar free tastes lousy.

[Hurricane Andrew]

Dear Lord, not this!!!!

First, I heard that the smell from microwave popcorn can kill you, and then this! I'm going back to bed. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.

[glock rocks]

I'll wash those down with some diet rum.

[zarf]

Go to your room. You don't deserve to live.

[Servant of the 9]

How pathetic.

So9

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Should go over about as well as the McLean.

[GSWarrior]

Is it wrapped in lettuce?

[newgeezer]

I like 'em when they're warm. Still, I prefer old-fashioned cake donuts. But, since I've been cutting carbs for the last 6 weeks, ...

Take the sugar out of Krispy Kremes, and I reckon all's left is a dollup of lard.

[bobjam]

A low sugar Krispy Kreme? That's like a sober Ted Kennedy, honest Bill Clinton, interesting Algore or respectful John F'in Kerry!

[NavyCaptain]

Say it ain't so!

[RonHolzwarth]

When I was in college, back in the '70's, I worked for a VERY well known donut chain, but not KK. It this posting, it shall remain nameless.

Once in a while, I would calculate the amount of "pure vegetable shortening" there was in EACH donut, sort of for a hobby. We went through a 50 pound box every couple or three days. I don't recall the exact weight anymore, but it was quite high.

We were allowed to eat all the donuts we wanted, while at work.

The grease was sloughed out of my hair, and off my body every day in the shower, as soon as I got home from work.

Gross.

Once, I looked out and saw people EATING the donuts!

Gross.

I had momentarily forgotten that we had produced them for that very purpose.

It was many, many years before I ever ate another donut.

[mass55th]

I don't like Kristy Kreme either, and always preferred Dunkin' Donuts. However since being diagnosed as a Type II diabetic in December, I've had to give them all up. I have discovered some great chocolates though from Russell Stover. Made with Splenda and very low carb. I recommend the French Mint chocolates and the Pecan Delights. They're excellent!!

[Cicero]

Say it isn't so.

[mlo]

I'm not diabetic, I just don't like a half-pound of sugar on one donut.

You can make excellent sorbet with Splenda. My mother-in-law is diabetic so I tried it. I'd dare anyone to tell the difference.

[rangerofrage]

I just had a couple of the chocolate peanut butter-they are very good. I'm fighting that type two monster as well!