Understanding Your Treat: How many calories are in a Krispy cream donut?

November 4, 2025 •

3 min read

The iconic Krispy Kreme Original Glazed doughnut contains approximately 190 calories per serving in the US, making it a relatively lighter option compared to other variants. Understanding how many calories are in a Krispy cream donut and its nutritional context can help you enjoy it as part of a balanced nutrition diet.

Quick Summary

This article examines the calorie count and nutritional content of Krispy Kreme doughnuts, with a focus on the Original Glazed. It compares the calorie counts of various flavors and provides strategies for balancing such treats within a healthy dietary pattern.

Key Points

Calorie Content Varies: The Original Glazed Krispy Kreme donut has about 190 calories, but other flavors can have significantly higher counts due to fillings and toppings.
Nutritional Deficiencies: Doughnuts are a source of refined carbohydrates, saturated fats, and added sugars, offering very little nutritional value in terms of fiber and protein.
Consider the 'Big Picture': Your overall diet is more important than a single food item. An occasional treat can be part of a healthy diet if most of your intake comes from nutrient-dense, whole foods.
Practice Mindful Indulgence: To enjoy a treat without guilt, practice mindful eating by savoring each bite and paying attention to your body's satisfaction cues.
Balance and Compensate: Offset the calories from a treat by making healthier choices at other meals or increasing your physical activity level for the day.
Look Beyond Just Calories: Focus on balancing your intake of fats and sugars, as recommended by health organizations like the WHO and AHA, rather than just counting total calories.

The Calorie Breakdown of an Original Glazed Doughnut

For many, the Original Glazed doughnut is the quintessential Krispy Kreme experience. A standard Original Glazed doughnut in the U.S. contains approximately 190 calories. While this figure provides a quick snapshot, a deeper look reveals more about its nutritional makeup:

Total Fat: Approximately 11 grams, with 5 grams of that being saturated fat. The World Health Organization recommends limiting saturated fat intake, as these dense fats can increase cholesterol levels and raise the risk of heart disease.
Total Carbohydrates: Around 22 grams, sourced primarily from flour and sugar. These are considered refined carbohydrates, which can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar levels.
Sugars: About 10 grams of sugar, with the majority being added sugars from the dough and signature glaze. The American Heart Association advises limiting added sugar intake to reduce health risks.
Protein: A minimal 3 grams, which provides little to no lasting satiation.
Fiber: A negligible amount, typically less than 1 gram. Unlike whole foods, processed items like doughnuts lack the fiber necessary for healthy digestion and feeling full.

How Other Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Compare

While the Original Glazed is a baseline, Krispy Kreme's menu features a wide variety of flavors and fillings, with significantly different calorie counts. To make an informed choice, it's helpful to see how popular options stack up against each other. You can always check the company's website for the most current nutritional information, like the data available on the UK site.

Krispy Kreme Calorie Comparison Table


Doughnut Flavor	Approximate Calories (US)	Approximate Total Fat (g)	Approximate Sugars (g)
Original Glazed	190	11	10
Chocolate Iced Glazed	240	12	14
Chocolate Iced with Kreme Filling	350	19	23
New York Cheesecake Doughnut	320	-	-
Apple Fritter	350	-	-
Glazed Chocolate Cake	250	-	-
Glazed Raspberry Filled	290	-	-

The Broader Nutritional Context of Doughnuts

Doughnuts, regardless of the brand, are a form of ultra-processed food. This means they are engineered to be hyper-palatable, rich in sugars and unhealthy fats, and contain minimal nutritional value. The potential health implications of frequently consuming such items include an increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. A key takeaway from nutrition experts is that the overall dietary pattern is far more important than any single food item. A donut on its own is not inherently 'bad,' but it should not displace more nutritious, whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.

Strategies for Fitting Treats into a Healthy Diet

Enjoying a Krispy Kreme donut or other treats can absolutely be part of a balanced and healthy diet. The key lies in moderation and mindful consumption. Here are some strategies:

Practice Mindful Eating: Savor every bite and pay attention to the flavors and textures. This can increase satisfaction and reduce the urge to overeat. By eating slowly and without distractions, you are more likely to recognize when you feel satisfied, not stuffed.
Balance Calories: Account for the donut's calorie count within your daily intake. If you have a donut, you might opt for a lighter, more nutrient-dense meal for dinner, like a large salad with grilled chicken.
Compensate with Exercise: If you're physically active, you may find it easier to balance out the higher calorie count of a treat. This doesn't mean you have to run a marathon, but a brisk walk can make a difference.
Control Portion Sizes: Opt for a single Original Glazed donut instead of a filled or specialty one. This is an easy way to enjoy the flavor with a lower calorie count.
Plan Your Indulgence: Restrict treats to occasional or special events. Don't make them a daily habit. If you know you'll be having a donut on a particular day, plan your other meals accordingly.

Conclusion: Moderation is Key

So, how many calories are in a Krispy cream donut? The answer depends on the flavor, with the Original Glazed containing around 190 calories. While delicious, Krispy Kreme donuts are high in sugar and fat, and low in essential nutrients. The ultimate lesson from a nutrition diet perspective is that all foods can fit into a healthy lifestyle, but balance and moderation are essential. By understanding the nutritional facts and practicing mindful eating, you can enjoy these treats without compromising your overall health goals. The occasional indulgence is harmless, but prioritizing whole, nutrient-dense foods should always be the foundation of your diet.

Here is a good resource for checking the most accurate nutritional facts for Krispy Kreme doughnuts: Krispy Kreme Nutritionals

Frequently Asked Questions

A Krispy Kreme Chocolate Iced Glazed donut typically contains about 240 calories.

No, Krispy Kreme donuts are not considered healthy. They are high in sugar and unhealthy fats and contain minimal fiber or nutrients, so they should be consumed in moderation as a treat.

The Original Glazed donut is one of the lowest-calorie options on the Krispy Kreme menu, with approximately 190 calories.

You can fit a Krispy Kreme donut into your diet by enjoying it in moderation, controlling your portion size, and balancing the calories with other nutrient-dense foods and physical activity throughout the day.

A Krispy Kreme Original Glazed donut contains approximately 10 grams of sugar, with most of it coming from added sugars.

Healthier alternatives include fresh fruit, a small portion of dark chocolate, or homemade baked goods where you can control the ingredients and sugar content.

To help manage sugar cravings, try drinking plenty of water, incorporating fiber and healthy fats into your diet, or engaging in a physical activity like a short walk.