How many calories are in 1 glazed Doughnut?

A glazed doughnut is a sweet treat that many people enjoy occasionally. However, doughnuts are high in calories and fat, so it’s important to pay attention to portion sizes when indulging. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the calorie count of 1 glazed doughnut and provide some tips for enjoying them in moderation.

The Average Calorie Count

According to the USDA, one glazed doughnut (52g) contains about:

  • 195 calories
  • 10.6 g fat
  • 2.3 g protein
  • 24.5 g carbohydrates
  • 12.5 g sugar

However, calorie counts can vary between bakeries and brands. Factors like doughnut size, thickness, oil used for frying, and amount of glaze can all impact the final numbers.

Many popular doughnut chains provide calorie information for their standard glazed doughnuts:

Brand Serving Size Calories
Krispy Kreme 1 Doughnut (52g) 190
Dunkin’ 1 Doughnut (50g) 260
Tim Hortons 1 Doughnut (67g) 220

As you can see, calories range from 190-260 per standard glazed doughnut depending on the brand. Krispy Kreme’s version is on the lower end while Dunkin’s is higher in calories.

Factors That Influence Calorie Amount

Several factors account for the calorie differences between brands:

Doughnut size

A larger doughnut means more dough, glaze, and oil – increasing the calorie count. For example, Krispy Kreme’s mini glazed doughnuts are 140 calories each while their standard size is 190 calories.

Ingredients

The specific ingredients used in the dough and glaze impact calorie content. Using extras like chocolate or cream filling will add more calories than a simple glazed doughnut.

Cooking method

Frying doughnuts adds a significant amount of fat and calories vs baking. The type of oil used – like coconut, peanut or canola – also makes a difference.

Glaze

Thick, dense glazes spread generously on the doughnut will drive up the calorie amount vs a light glaze. Glazes with chocolate or caramel will be higher in calories than simple sugar glazes.

Customizations

Any extra toppings and customizations will increase the calorie count. Options like sprinkles, drizzles, and crushed nuts add fat, carbs, and calories on top of the base doughnut.

Nutritional Breakdown of 1 Glazed Doughnut

Now that we know the average calorie count, let’s take a closer look at the full nutritional profile of a glazed doughnut:

Fat

A standard glazed doughnut contains about 10-12 grams of fat, which is 15-18% of the recommended daily value. The main sources of fat are:

  • Oil used for deep frying
  • Egg yolks in the dough
  • Butter or cream used in the dough or glaze

Most of the fat in doughnuts is the unhealthy saturated and trans fat types that should be limited in a healthy diet. Too much can increase cholesterol levels and heart disease risk.

Carbs

Glazed doughnuts have around 25-30 grams of carbs, primarily from added sugar and refined flour. This accounts for about 10% of the daily intake, but the carbs are mostly simple with little fiber.

The blood sugar spike from doughnuts can leave you feeling hungry and craving more sweets later. The refined carbs are digested quickly and lack the staying power of complex, fiber-rich carbs.

Protein

Doughnuts are not a good source of protein at all. A standard glazed doughnut contains just 2-3 grams – only 4-6% of the recommended daily intake for protein.

The small amount of protein comes mostly from the eggs and wheat flour used to make the dough. Since protein is important for keeping you full, doughnuts do not satisfy your hunger for very long.

Sugar

Around 20-25 grams of sugar is found in one glazed doughnut. That’s equivalent to 5-6 teaspoons worth!

The sugar primarily comes from the glaze, but there is also naturally-occurring sugar in the wheat flour dough. Eating doughnuts spikes your blood sugar and can lead to fatigue and sugar cravings later on.

Fiber

Fiber content is minimal in doughnuts – just 1-2 grams per serving. This is only about 4-8% of the daily recommended fiber intake.

The refined wheat flour and added sugars mean these treats lack the filling fiber found in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. The fiber deficit slows digestion and prevents doughnuts from providing lasting fullness.

Sodium

Glazed doughnuts contain around 130-200 mg sodium – not a huge contributor to your recommended daily sodium intake. However, those limiting salt for health reasons still need to keep the sodium content in mind.

Sources of sodium include salt added to the dough and glaze as well as leavening agents like baking soda or baking powder.

Vitamins and Minerals

Doughnuts are lacking when it comes to healthy vitamins and minerals. You’ll get small amounts of calcium, vitamin A, and iron, but they are nutrient-poor compared to whole foods.

Fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, nuts and seeds are far better sources of beneficial vitamins and minerals lacking in doughnuts.

Tips for Enjoying Doughnuts in Moderation

Now that you know a single glazed doughnut can pack over 200 calories, you may be wondering how to enjoy doughnuts moderately as part of an overall healthy diet. Here are some tips:

Watch portion sizes

Stick to one regular sized or mini doughnut instead of consuming multiple in one sitting. Splitting a box with others helps control portions.

Share as a treat

Rather than eating a doughnut by yourself, share it with family and friends so everyone gets a taste without overindulging.

Balance with nutrition

Pair your doughnut with fresh fruit, yogurt, eggs, nuts or other whole foods to help balance the fat, carbs, and sugar.

Choose plain varieties

Pick doughnuts with just glaze rather than creams, icings, fillings, and toppings that pile on extra calories, sugar, and fat.

Hydrate

Drink water before and after eating a doughnut to avoid dehydration and overdoing it on calories. Water also helps fill you up.

Watch frequencies

Limit doughnut treats to occasionally rather than frequently throughout the week. Stick to just once weekly or every other week.

Healthy Homemade Doughnut Alternatives

You can also try making healthier doughnut options at home. Here are some recipe ideas:

Baked doughnuts

Baking doughnuts instead of frying removes much of the fat and calories while still giving a similar sweet treat. Use healthy ingredients like whole wheat flour, coconut oil, and natural sweeteners.

Protein doughnuts

Make high-protein doughnuts using protein powder in the batter and toppings like nuts and seeds. Boost nutrition while satisfying your sweet tooth.

Gluten-free doughnuts

Whip up gluten-free baked doughnuts that your friends with food allergies can enjoy. Use alternate flours like almond, coconut or cassava.

Mini doughnuts

Downsize your doughnuts by making bite-sized mini versions. This lets you indulge with less calorie guilt.

The Bottom Line

One standard glazed doughnut averages around 200 calories but can range from 140-260 depending on size and specific ingredients. While tasty, doughnuts are high in sugar, refined carbs, and unhealthy fats with low protein and nutrients.

It’s okay to eat them occasionally in moderation along with other whole foods. Portion control and finding ways to lighten up recipes at home are key to keeping doughnuts from expanding your waistline.

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