QuickTrip, often shortened to QT, is a popular gas station and convenience store chain primarily located in the Midwestern and Southern United States. QT is known for its wide selection of food and beverage items, including its freshly made doughnuts. For many people looking to grab a quick bite on the go, a QT doughnut is an easy and tasty option. However, for those watching their calorie intake, the number of calories in a QT doughnut may be an important consideration.
Types of Doughnuts at QT
QT offers several varieties of doughnuts, ranging from simple glazed doughnuts to more decadent options with icings, fillings, and toppings. Some of the most popular doughnut choices at QT include:
– Glazed – A classic doughnut coated in a sweet glaze topping.
– Chocolate glazed – A glazed doughnut with chocolate glaze rather than regular glaze.
– Sprinkles – A glazed doughnut topped with rainbow sprinkles.
– Powdered – A doughnut dusted with powdered sugar.
– Chocolate cake – A chocolate doughnut without icing or filling.
– Jelly filled – A doughnut filled with fruity jelly or preserves.
– Cream filled – A doughnut filled with sweetened cream.
– Maple bar – A doughnut with maple flavored icing and often topped with bacon crumbles.
– Apple fritter – A doughnut with apple pie filling inside and streusel topping.
Nutritional Information on QT Doughnuts
The specific calorie count and other nutritional information for QT doughnuts can vary depending on the variety. QT does not providenutrition facts online for all of their doughnut options. However, some basic data is available:
– A standard glazed doughnut lists 330 calories and 18 grams of fat.
– The chocolate glazed doughnut contains 340 calories and 20 grams of fat.
– The jelly filled doughnut has 420 calories and 22 grams of fat.
So a regular glazed or chocolate glazed doughnut from QT contains around 330-340 calories. Filled doughnuts or more decadent options likely contain even more calories, possibly over 400 calories per doughnut.
Comparing QT Doughnut Calories to Other Doughnut Chains
How does the calorie count of a QT doughnut compare to doughnuts from other popular shops? Here’s a look at calories for a basic glazed doughnut at some top chains:
– Dunkin’ Donuts – 220 calories
– Krispy Kreme – 190 calories
– Tim Hortons – 260 calories
– Starbucks – 250 calories
– Winchell’s Donuts – 340 calories
Among major doughnut sellers, QT’s calorie count is on the higher end but fairly average. Many standard glazed doughnuts from popular shops contain 300-350 calories. So the 330 calories for a QT glazed doughnut is right within that expected range.
Factors Affecting Doughnut Calories
Several factors impact the number of calories in any given doughnut:
Type of Doughnut
The basic doughnut recipe alone contains calories from ingredients like flour, sugar, oil, etc. But icings, fillings, toppings, and more elaborate doughnut types can significantly increase calorie count. An apple fritter or Boston cream doughnut often has two to three times as many calories as a simple glazed doughnut.
Size of the Doughnut
Larger doughnuts mean more dough, icing, and other ingredients – and therefore more calories. For example, a “jumbo” glazed doughnut at Krispy Kreme has 360 calories while their regular glazed doughnut is only 190 calories.
Ingredients and Preparation Methods
The specific types and amounts of ingredients in the dough, icing, fillings as well as frying methods, can result in calorie differences between recipes, even for doughnuts that look the same. Most chains have their own unique doughnut recipes.
Add-ons and Customization
Optional toppings like sprinkles, crushed cookies, coconut, nuts, etc. add extra calories on top of the base doughnut. When you customize by adding multiple toppings, you multiply the calories.
Tips for Healthy Doughnut Eating
For doughnut lovers trying to maintain balanced nutrition, there are some tricks to keeping doughnut calories under control:
Stick to Plain Varieties
Avoid fancy fillings, icings, and toppings that pile on calories. Opt for plain doughnuts dusted with powdered sugar or cinnamon if you want flavor without lots of extra calories.
Choose Mini or “Hole” Doughnuts
Many shops now offer bite-size doughnuts or “doughnut holes” with around 100 calories per piece, allowing you to satisfy a craving with less.
Split a Doughnut with a Friend
Cut calories by only eating half a doughnut and sharing the rest. Even just a half or two small bites may do the trick.
Balance with Healthy Choices the Rest of the Day
Don’t deprive yourself of an occasional treat. Just be mindful of balancing it out with nutritious choices for other meals and snacks that day. Moderation is key.
Watch Portion Sizes and Frequency
Limit yourself to one doughnut and avoid having them multiple days in a row to keep calories in check. It’s easy to overindulge when doughnuts are always on hand.
Healthier Doughnut Alternatives
If you want a sweet, doughnut-like treat with fewer calories, consider these options:
Baked Doughnuts
Baked doughnuts typically have 30-40% fewer calories than fried. Many grocery stores sell baked doughnuts, or you can bake your own.
Doughnut Holes
As mentioned earlier, snack-size doughnut holes tend to be lower calorie thanks to less dough. Choose a plain variety.
Protein Doughnuts
Protein-enriched, lower carb doughnuts have emerged, some with as few as 120 calories. They have more protein and fiber.
Muffin Tops
Muffin tops or doughnut muffin tops are just the doughy top portion, but have less calories than a whole doughnut.
Healthified Homemade Versions
Make doughnuts at home using less oil, whole grain flour, fruit purees, etc. to create a healthier treat.
The Bottom Line on QT Doughnut Calories
A plain glazed or chocolate glazed doughnut from the QuikTrip convenience chain contains around 330-340 calories. More elaborate doughnuts with fillings, toppings, and icings can range from 350 up to over 400 calories each at QT.
Though QT’s calorie counts are fairly typical, there are lower calorie options at some other popular doughnut sellers. Customizing doughnuts, choosing jumbo sizes, and picking decadent varieties adds calories quickly.
Watch your portion size, pick plainer doughnuts, share with others, and balance intake throughout your day if you want to occasionally indulge in these sweet, fried treats while maintaining overall healthy nutrition. And consider baked or protein doughnuts for lower calorie alternatives.
