How much cholesterol is in doughnuts? Unpacking the nutritional facts

November 4, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the American Heart Association, foods high in saturated fat and trans fat are more likely to raise 'bad' cholesterol levels than dietary cholesterol itself. This perspective helps clarify why doughnuts, though containing some dietary cholesterol from eggs or butter, are primarily a concern due to their high content of unhealthy fats and sugars. Understanding the full nutritional profile is key to making informed dietary choices about this sweet treat.

Quick Summary

Doughnuts contain some dietary cholesterol from animal-based ingredients, but their main threat to heart health comes from high levels of saturated fat, trans fat, and refined sugar. Various types of doughnuts have different nutritional compositions, with store-bought options often having more unhealthy ingredients than homemade versions. Managing your intake is crucial for a healthy diet.

Key Points

Cholesterol Source: Dietary cholesterol in doughnuts comes from animal products like eggs and butter used in the dough, not the frying process itself.
Unhealthy Fat Concern: Saturated and trans fats, often from deep-frying in processed oils or using shortening, are a greater risk factor for high blood cholesterol than the dietary cholesterol content.
Nutritional Variation: Cholesterol, fat, and sugar content can differ greatly between doughnut types (e.g., yeast vs. cake) and specific brands.
Homemade Advantage: Baking doughnuts at home allows for control over ingredients, enabling the use of healthier fats and alternative sweeteners to improve the nutritional profile.
Moderation is Key: Occasional doughnut consumption is fine as part of a balanced diet, but regular intake is discouraged due to high sugar, calorie, and unhealthy fat content.
Prioritize Overall Diet: Focusing on a balanced eating pattern rich in whole foods, fiber, and healthy fats is more effective for managing cholesterol than focusing solely on dietary cholesterol from single food items.

The Surprising Truth About Dietary Cholesterol in Doughnuts

For decades, dietary cholesterol was pinpointed as the main culprit behind high blood cholesterol and heart disease. However, as scientific understanding has evolved, the focus has shifted. The American Heart Association (AHA) and other health organizations now emphasize that saturated and trans fats have a more significant impact on raising 'bad' LDL cholesterol levels in the blood. This reevaluation is crucial when considering doughnuts.

Doughnuts, especially cake-style ones, are typically made with eggs and butter or other full-fat dairy, which contain dietary cholesterol. But the true heart health concern isn't this cholesterol. The real issue lies in the preparation method, particularly deep-frying, which introduces large amounts of unhealthy fats. These are the fats that drive up LDL levels and increase cardiovascular risk.

Comparing Different Doughnut Types

Not all doughnuts are created equal, and their nutritional profiles can vary significantly. Yeast-leavened doughnuts, for instance, often have a different fat and sugar content than their cake-style counterparts. Frying in vegetable shortening or partially hydrogenated oils adds significant amounts of trans fat, while glazes and fillings contribute heavily to the sugar load. Let's compare the general nutrition of a few common types:


Doughnut Type	Cholesterol (mg)	Total Fat (g)	Saturated Fat (g)	Trans Fat (g)	Sugar (g)
Plain Glazed (Medium)	~19	~15	~6	~0.3	~15
Cake-Type (Medium)	~17	~11	~1.7	Unknown	~10
Chocolate-Frosted Cake (Large)	~35	~18	~4.6	Unknown	~13
Yeast-Leavened with Creme Filling	~7	Varies	Varies	Varies	Varies

Note: Nutritional values can vary significantly by brand and size.

The Bigger Nutritional Picture: Beyond Just Cholesterol

While the amount of dietary cholesterol in a single doughnut might seem low, it's the combination of ingredients that creates a nutritional problem. High sugar intake, particularly from added sugars, is linked to weight gain, inflammation, and an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes. The typical doughnut's composition—refined flour, high sugar, and unhealthy fats—offers very little in terms of fiber, vitamins, or minerals, making it a high-calorie, low-nutrient food.

Making Healthier Choices and Enjoying Treats in Moderation

Enjoying a doughnut occasionally is not the same as making it a daily habit. Context is everything. If you follow a balanced diet rich in whole foods, an occasional indulgence is unlikely to have a major impact on your overall health. For those who love doughnuts, there are ways to make more informed choices.

Prioritize a Balanced Diet: Base your regular meals on heart-healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats (e.g., avocados, olive oil, nuts). This ensures your body gets the necessary nutrients and fiber to help manage cholesterol levels effectively.
Opt for Homemade: Making doughnuts at home gives you control over the ingredients. You can bake them instead of frying and use healthier alternatives like whole wheat flour, natural sweeteners, and unsaturated oils.
Choose Wisely at the Bakery: When purchasing from a bakery, be aware that large, heavily-filled or frosted doughnuts will be higher in calories, sugar, and fat. A smaller, plain glazed doughnut is a more moderate choice. Some brands have worked to remove or reduce trans fats, but it's always best to check the nutritional information if available.
Don't Overlook Other Fats: Remember that saturated fats, found in butter and some shortenings, and especially trans fats, are the more critical components to watch for heart health. Processed foods, including many commercial doughnuts, are major sources of these unhealthy fats.

Conclusion

While a single doughnut contains some dietary cholesterol, it's not the primary concern for most people's heart health. The real issue is the high concentration of sugar and unhealthy fats, including saturated and potential trans fats, that come from deep-frying and processing. A healthy diet focuses on the overall eating pattern rather than demonizing single foods. Enjoying a doughnut as a rare treat rather than a regular part of your diet is a sensible approach. By focusing on a balanced, whole-food diet most of the time, you can effectively manage your cholesterol and overall heart health while still leaving room for life's occasional, small indulgences.

Resources

American Heart Association: Provides comprehensive guidelines on healthy eating to manage blood cholesterol and support cardiovascular health. https://www.heart.org/en/news/2023/08/25/heres-the-latest-on-dietary-cholesterol-and-how-it-fits-in-with-a-healthy-diet
Cleveland Clinic: Offers detailed information on cholesterol and nutrition, highlighting the greater impact of saturated and trans fats over dietary cholesterol. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/16867-cholesterol--nutrition-tlc
Better Health Channel: Discusses healthy eating tips for managing cholesterol, including reducing unhealthy fats and increasing fiber intake. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/cholesterol-healthy-eating-tips

Frequently Asked Questions

Eating doughnuts can increase your blood cholesterol, but this is primarily due to their high content of saturated and trans fats, not the dietary cholesterol they contain. Unhealthy fats, especially trans fats, are known to raise 'bad' LDL cholesterol levels more significantly than dietary cholesterol.

Dietary cholesterol is the cholesterol found in foods from animal sources, such as eggs and meat. Blood cholesterol, or serum cholesterol, is produced by your liver and circulates in your blood. While dietary cholesterol has a minor influence, unhealthy fats like saturated and trans fats have a much greater impact on your blood cholesterol levels.

The amount of cholesterol varies by doughnut type and recipe. Cake-style doughnuts, which use eggs and butter, often contain more dietary cholesterol than yeast-leavened varieties, though the total fat content from frying is a more significant concern.

Many commercially produced and fried doughnuts were historically high in trans fats, as they were often fried in partially hydrogenated oils. While the FDA has banned these oils, some trans fat may still be present due to the frying process. It is important to read labels, but opting for homemade or non-fried options is the safest way to avoid them.

Baking doughnuts is a much healthier option than frying. Frying adds large amounts of unhealthy fats, while baking eliminates this. When baking, you can also control the type and amount of fat used, leading to a much lower overall fat and cholesterol content.

To enjoy doughnuts without negatively impacting your heart health, focus on moderation and context. Enjoy them as an occasional treat rather than a frequent one. Prioritize a heart-healthy diet rich in whole foods, fiber, and healthy fats most of the time to balance out indulgences.

Yes, you can make healthier doughnuts at home by modifying the recipe. Use whole wheat flour, reduce sugar, bake instead of fry, and use healthy unsaturated oils like avocado or coconut oil. You can also explore vegan recipes that eliminate dietary cholesterol entirely.