In 2009 when I was still on the path toward whole food, plant-based veganism, I at least knew then not to eat junk food like Krispy Kreme doughnuts. I had seen the experiments where people purchased McDonald’s food and kept it over time to see if it would decompose or not, so I decided to purchase a box of Krispy Kreme doughnuts to see what would happen over the years.
Here is a photo that I took today of my Krispy Kreme doughnuts that I purchase nine years ago:
I have kept and still keep these doughnuts in my pantry and I taped the edges with clear packing tape to keep out the bugs. That’s it! No refrigeration. The chemicals have done all the preserving over the past seven years. They are hard as rocks however the doughnuts appear to not look very different from the day they were purchased.
You can see that some ants got caught in the tape:
What does this lack of decomposition mean? It means that Krispy Kreme doughnuts and other highly processed foods are not fit for human consumption. Food is meant to decompose and break down for nutrient absorption.
What happens when foods don’t decompose? The chemicals toxify the body and the calories are empty meaning there is no nutritional benefit for the calories consumed. For 190 calories a pop, you might as well get some nutritional benefit like naturally occurring vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants.
These doughnuts are basically composed of highly refined and enriched grain, highly refined oils, water, sugar, egg, milk, and a host of chemicals.
If you care about your body and your long-term health, you will do best skipping Krispy Kreme doughnuts and similar empty calorie, chemical laden junk foods.
Additional Resources
• Know Your Complex, Simple, and Refined Carbs
• 6 Health-Preserving Reasons to Stop Consuming Oil
• Johns Hopkins on Health & Environmental Implications of Animal Consumption
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I agree I don’t eat these or many sweets at all, but you should adjust your years. With a date 4/25/09, the doughnuts are 7 years old. All other facts still the same, but people who want to find fault with your facts will say, she can’t subtract so all her other so called facts could be wrong too. Just saying 🙂
Good golly Ginny! Thank you so much. I was so focused on the details of the blog that the numbers completely got away with me. All fixed now, thanks to you.
Carla,
I have been following this “relationship” of yours for years…amazing! I am not surprised whatsoever…I have been avoiding junk food since my early 30s.
But it does surprise me over and over again how people can put that stuff, that is NOT food, into their bodies. No wonder so many are overweight, sick, fatigued or hyper-active. Only a nourished body can be healthy.
You’re spot on Silke! A well-fed body is a happy, healthy body and there is no short cut, magic pill, or exception. Eating well and taking care of oneself every single day adds up to a lifetime reward of good health which is priceless. Glad to be on this journey with you!
OMG! Now you’ve called out Krispy Kreme! Is nothing sacred? Well, our health, maybe. Really scares me that you might start in on Jack Daniel and water, or Stoli and tonic.
You’re funny Tom! If I didn’t know you, I’d reprimand you.