The Donut Challenge: A Chanukah Tradition You Can Live With

Chanukah is here, and with it comes candles, dreidels, and a delicious annual game: the Donut Challenge. The rules? Simple. Eat one donut on the first day, two on the second, and so on until the eighth day. That’s a total of 36 donuts over eight nights. It sounds like a feat for only the most dedicated foodies, but let’s be honest—between family gatherings, shul events, and office parties, hitting those numbers might not be as far-fetched as you think.

But what happens if you actually go through with it? After polishing off 36 donuts and emerging from your food coma, how much would it really affect your diet?

Surprisingly, not as much as you’d expect. Let’s crunch the numbers. A typical donut from Dunkin’ clocks in at around 300 calories, but those are on the smaller side. If we’re talking about the big, fluffy sufganiyot from your favorite kosher bakery—let’s say Queens Pita—you’re probably looking at closer to 400 calories each. Multiply that by 36 donuts, and you’re at 14,400 calories.

Sounds massive, right? Well, those calories translate to about four pounds of potential weight gain. While that might seem overwhelming, consider this: on a typical weight-loss diet, you can shed those four pounds in less than a month. And that’s assuming you eat nothing but donuts over the entire holiday—which, let’s be honest, is unlikely.

So here’s the takeaway: Don’t spend your Chanukah parties stressing about the donuts. Sure, maybe skip them when you’re around the relatives you’re trying to impress. But if you do indulge in a donut—or a few—don’t let it throw you off track. The secret to long-term success isn’t about denying yourself every treat; it’s about balance.

After all, enjoying the occasional indulgence is part of life. What matters most is getting back on track afterward and staying committed to your goals. So relax, grab a sufganiyah, and enjoy the holiday—just maybe not all 36 of them.

Moshe Orbach was born and bred in Kew Gardens Hills. Moshe is a product of our yeshivah system and yearns to give back to his community. Fitness and health are Moshe's longtime passions. He wants everyone to lead their daily life energized and aware of their body's potential, no matter their age. Moshe can be reached for personal training, diet plans, and more at (917) 217-9271.

By Moshe Orbach