It took Frank Dilullo five years to master his recipe for ultra low fat gourmet donuts. First, they were hard like a brick, said Dilullo, now they’re fluffy, light and only 4 grams of fat each — they’re Holey Donuts.
Dilullo, whose family has been in the donut business since 1958, opened his first store, Holey Donuts at 75 Nassau St., in early June. And even though his first customer was the on Zone Diet, he warns his customers off the bat that holey donuts should not be considered a “diet.” “ We made ’em this way so we could all eat more donuts!” reads a sign on the wall.
Dilullo assures that six of his “Amazing Boston Crème Filled Chocolate Frosted Donuts” contain less fat that two Krispy Kreme Donuts. It is the patent-pending cooking process, which avoids deep-frying, a traditional way of making donuts, that does the trick. So while a regular donut contains 300 to 350 calories and 20 grams of fat each, Dilullo’s Boston Cream Donut has 217 calories and 4.15 grams of fat.
“Sugar is still the same, but it’s the fat that makes the difference,” explained Dilullo. “These donuts have no trans fats and no cholesterol. After you eat them you’ll feel like you’ve eaten nothing heavy. They’re even good for people with acid reflux.”
Although the formula eliminates harmful trans fats, is doesn’t seem to take away from the way these donuts taste. Michael Johnston, who works in the area, purchased two chocolate glazed donuts and licked his fingers after he ate the first one. “It tastes better than Dunkin’ Donuts,” declared Johnston. “It is definitely less greasy and not as heavy.”
The menu at Holey Donuts also offers over 25 different coffee drinks made with sugar free flavors. Cynthia Rose, a therapist, said of the donuts “you could tell they’re healthier because they’re less greasy.”
But Lisa Sasson, a registered dietician at the Department of Nutrition, Food Studies and Public Health at New York University, said in a telephone interview that Holey Donuts are still donuts and should not be considered a healthy snack. Having peanut butter on whole grain crackers is a much better alternative, Sasson advised.
“It’s definitely not healthy food,” Sasson said. “It’s still junk food. It’s low calories so in that sense it’s better. For a snack it’s better to have fruits and nuts, but [a Holey Donut] could be a treat once in while.”
— Cathy Jedruczek
WWW Downtown Express
