Israeli health minister declares ‘donuts – out!’
Yaakov Litzman says Israel must find alternative to sugary, oily Hanukkah treat, educate children to eat better
Health Minister Yaakov Litzman has urged Israelis to eat fewer sufganiyot, the oily jelly donuts traditionally eaten during Hanukkah — and in recent years in Israel, for weeks beforehand — as part of his crackdown on unhealthy food.
Litzman, of the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party, who in the past criticized the amounts of junk food eaten in Israel, and specifically called out fast-food giant McDonald’s, has now found another target, the Kikar Hashabat news site reported Sunday.
“When I said that we should cut down on McDonald’s, they thought I’d gone crazy,” Litzman told a healthy lifestyle forum. “If I would have said it today, I would have said, ‘Sufganiyot – out!'”
Litzman said that there are many healthy, alternative ways of celebrating the festival which should be encouraged.
“We can find alternatives and we don’t have to feed our children donuts which do not match health values and proper nutrition,” he said. “Obviously we can eat them, since they are part of our tradition, but there are better substitutes. I call on the public to avoid eating donuts which are full of oil.”
Litzman was speaking at a conference led by Professor Itamar Raz, head of the National Council for Diabetes.
In March, Litzman controversially attacked McDonald’s, saying that “there is no need to eat junk food, not in our country.”
He urged parents and educators to teach children not to eat junk food and sweets and stressed that the Health Ministry would focus on “preventative” medicine this year to curb disease.
Now the minister may have bitten off more than he can chew in attacking these winter treats. Jelly donuts are very popular in Israel, where an array of flavors is featured at bakeries, supermarkets, coffee shops and restaurants beginning as early as October.
The Festival of Lights, which commemorates the Maccabean revolt against the Greeks, has long featured oily foods such as latkes and donuts in remembrance of the miracle of the temple oil, which lasted eight days instead of the expected one.
Jelly-filled donuts typically have around 375 calories per 100 grams. However, just days ago Burger King announced that, this Hanukkah, it will be offering a version of its Whopper burgers served on the traditional sufganiya.
The American fast food chain said the “Sufganiking” will be on sale at all Burger King chains in Israel starting on December 25, the first night of Hanukkah, until January 1st, and will cost NIS 14.90 ($4.00).
Employees of the fast food chain have spoken favorably of the burger, the Ynet website said. But there was no word on how many calories the new festive treat will contain.
