A few weeks ago, a story came out on the business wire: The Tragedy of Krispy Kreme.

And it wasn't referring to the calorie count.

The once-hot, Southern-based doughnut chain had over-extended itself. It built too many shops and took on too much debt. It believed its own hype.

Just like the rest of America.

Woe upon us.

We'd become a nation of empty calories and too much fat - and not the good kind.

The sugar high was fun while it lasted.

And then, by the time we stepped on the scale, we were way past Weight Watchers material. Optifast, maybe. Gastric bypass, for sure. (If only our insurance plan would cover it!)

I confess: I had a thing for Krispy Kreme.

The glazed, especially. And sometimes the chocolate frosted glazed.

Oh, OK, occasionally the cream-filled.

The Krispy Kreme marketing people were geniuses. Doughnuts at the gas station?

So convenient, down the block at the Super C.

So cheap, too - two for 69 cents after 6 p.m.

Fresh and soft, sweet and satisfying. Doughnut drugs. One bite and I was hooked.

Pretty soon I'd start to salivate driving home down Ninth Street.

I found myself heading out on snowy nights in sweat pants and a stocking cap. Need to fill up the gas tank again!

I was like Robert Downey Jr., making excuses to the clerk. These? For my son, really.

And then something happened.

I glazed over at the thought of another Krispy Kreme.

And I gave them up, cold turkey.

Did I miss them? Not really.

I moved on to frosted brownies and Rice Krispies treats. It was like switching from heroin to methadone. Still a drug, sure, but without the needles.

A small step in the right direction.

We're in our Rice Krispies treat stage as a country. Working our way toward apple slices dipped in peanut butter.

Trying to figure out how to make our lives and our economy work without completely clogging our arteries.

It's painful.

Why do we always have to make a choice between what tastes good and what's good for us?

You mean we can't drive Hummers and save the world at the same time?

How many credit cards balances can we have and still be balanced?

Moderation is so boring.

And where have all the moderates gone, anyway?

Health care debate: a battle of good versus evil. Banks and bankers: bad. Homeowners drowning in debt: greedy.

I'm looking for the methadone.

Can we eat chocolate cake if we run on the treadmill three times a week?

Can we still hit the mall if we stick a piece of our paycheck in the bank every month?

Please?

There is good news on the Krispy Kreme front.

New management has taken over, and stock prices are inching up.

Krispy Kreme might still be junk food, but it's no longer a junk bond. There might be fewer stores, but they're in choicer locations.

And the chain has benefited from a new doughnut twist that will help keep it in the game.

It's a heart attack snack: a bacon cheeseburger with two butter-glazed doughnuts taking the place of the bun.

A calorie-laden (1,500) Krispy Kreme comeback.

Selling, apparently, like hot cakes.

Good luck, America.

Reach Cindy Lange-Kubick at 473-7218 or clangekubick@journalstar.com.