How long could one live on a diet of just...

[Schadenfroh]

donuts, water and multi-vitamin tablets?

I postulated this to my friends one time and the results varied, some said that it is possible to live for years, others said that there are vitamins / minerals not found in the tablet that the body cannot produce that are necessary to maintain life. I fall into the category of the latter and that the person would likely be dead or at least unable to get out of bed in less than a year.

Once this problem is solved, we can move on to other food survival combinations.

 

[amdhunter]

42

 

[dighn]

lack of protein and fiber might cause problems

 

[Crono]

You could survive for a long time. Not with fantastic health or anything, but it's doable. Especially if you limit the intake of donuts.

For how many years, I don't know. Probably a couple of decades.

 

[MJinZ]

donuts, water and multi-vitamin tablets?

I postulated this to my friends one time and the results varied, some said that it is possible to live for years, others said that there are vitamins / minerals not found in the tablet that the body cannot produce that are necessary to maintain life. I fall into the category of the latter and that the person would likely be dead or at least unable to get out of bed in less than a year.

Once this problem is solved, we can move on to other food survival combinations.

That depends on the donut. Donuts made from Multigrains should be sufficient. Multivatimins, if by definition you include things like Animal Pak, which has Aminos and the like, you are all set.

 

[Mo0o]

http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec01/ch003/ch003c.html

You need whatever is in that.

 

[Ika]

You'd have to find essential proteins/amino acids somewhere.

 

[xSauronx]

disappointed this wasnt about beer

leaving now.

 

[Bateluer]

What type of donuts? I imagine you could create a 'donut' that packs the right nutrients to complement your multivitamins.

 

[Crono]

I think theoretically a whole grain chocolate donut would contain all the essential amino acids, though I'm not sure in what quanitities.

 

[dighn]

I think theoretically a whole grain chocolate donut would contain all the essential amino acids, though I'm not sure in what quanitities.

adding dairy would probably give you all the amino acids, though you'll probably have to eat a huge quantity and die of obesity.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

What type of donuts? I imagine you could create a 'donut' that packs the right nutrients to complement your multivitamins.

mmmmmmmm, bacon donuts.

 

[Alienwho]

You could last decades, easy. People have survived in harsh prison conditions for decades on less.

 

[Crono]

You could last decades, easy. People have survived in harsh prison conditions for decades on less.

Yeah. The dietary requirements are very low if you are on a minimal/near starvation diet.

 

[RelaxTheMind]

disappointed this wasnt about beer

leaving now.

i too thought this was gonna be about beer

 

[WelshBloke]

disappointed this wasnt about beer

leaving now.

How long could you survive on a diet of beer, peanuts and vitamin tablets?

 

[Regs]

Heaven.

 

[Schadenfroh]

What type of donuts? I imagine you could create a 'donut' that packs the right nutrients to complement your multivitamins.

Krispy Kream Original Glazed

 

[Acanthus]

calories in calrories out, as long as the person exercised and got the basic nutritional needs out of the food it would work.

With that diet though you are missing protein which is pretty critical.

 

[sjwaste]

Isn't there some sort of Guinness Diet we should be debating instead?

 

[Crono]

Krispy Kream Original Glazed

There is some egg and milk in there, which should cover the protein/amino acids needed in addition to the flour.

Carbohydrates/fat + protein (albeit not a lot) + vitamins and minerals = enough to survive.

Not a very healthy diet, but with careful managing of your donut consumption, you probably could live decades on Krispy Kreme donuts.
I'm not an expert, though, and obviously I wouldn't advise it.

 

[Elias824]

With no protein you wouldnt last to long, maybe a few years but your muscles would just eat themselves alive. Are you allowed to have toppings on your doughnuts like peanut butter or steak?

 

[mb]

I think it'd be possible to live for many years on such a diet, but it would not be pleasant.

 

[Gonad the Barbarian]

A diet of just multivitamins and doughnuts is probably not too far off nutritionally from the average American diet, so look at the average American and there you go.

 

[guyver01]

mmmmmmmm, bacon donuts.