If you enjoy a doughnut in the morning or at the end of the day, you've probably heard of Krispy Kreme. The popular doughnut joint has millions of fans across the world, but most of the items on the menu aren't suitable for someone living with diabetes. Krispy Kreme, which was founded more than 80 years ago in the midst of the Great Depression, has proven that it doesn't need stores on every corner to remain one of the world's most treasured brands.

Even though most people believe Krispy Kreme started in North Carolina, it actually started somewhere else. In the early 1930s, Vernon Rudolph, fresh out of college, went to work at his uncle’s general store in Paducah, Kentucky. However, after a few years, the family decided to sell up, relocate to Nashville, and open a doughnut-only shop in the hopes of attracting more customers.

Vernon wanted to strike out on his own after working for his family in Nashville for a few years. He began looking for a spot to begin his own doughnut store in 1937. What factors did he consider when deciding where to go? He was influenced by his favorite cigarette brand, Camel, which was based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He concluded that if Camel could do it, why couldn't he? The rest is history.

Packaged snacks and baked products like cookies, doughnuts, and snack cakes are high in refined carbohydrates, which induce a rapid rise in blood sugar and can lead to weight gain if consumed in large quantities. Krispy Kreme has expanded its meal offering beyond doughnuts in several parts of the United States. The bad news is that the majority of the new items are basically sugar calories, mostly bagels, the same nutrient-deficient, carb-heavy diet that the bakery has traditionally specialized in.

At Krispy Kreme, the rule of thumb is to stay away from anything loaded with custard, cream, or jam. The closest you'll get to a square meal is a plain round doughnut, but that still has too many carbs and sugar for someone with diabetes, so you may want to share it with a friend. However, if you can't resist the temptation, here's what you can try (in moderation) at Krispy Kreme if you're watching your blood sugar intake.

Whole Wheat Doughnut

Opt for a whole wheat doughnut instead of a glazed crème-filled doughnut. The whole-wheat version contains 180 calories and 11 grams of fat, which is less than half of the crème-filled option's 350 calories and 20 grams of fat. The whole-wheat doughnut saves calories and fat, but it also has less than half the sugar (10g to 24g), no sodium, 2g of fiber (compared to none in the crème-filled doughnut), no cholesterol, and 19g of carbohydrates. The doughnut with the crème filling comprises 34 grams of carbs and 24 grams of sugar. The Whole Wheat Doughnut is a healthier, less-fattening alternative to some of Krispy Kreme's typical snacks. When you've got a doughnut craving, go for the whole-wheat variety.

Original Glazed Doughnut

The Original Glazed doughnut is not the healthiest breakfast, but it has 10 grams of sugar. This is lower than other items on the Krispy Kreme menu, like the Apple Fritter, for example. The Apple Fritter has 28 grams of carbs and a whopping 400 calories.

Bran and Honey Doughnut

The Bran & Honey Doughnut, the newest addition to the Krispy Kreme menu, was created with fitness enthusiasts in mind. There's no glaze, fillings, or extra toppings, but a small tub of honey is included on the side. It still has 75 grams of carbs, but it's lower in fat than other options on the menu. It's a good idea to have just half of it and skip the honey altogether.

Glazed Chocolate Cake Doughnut Holes

When you don't want to consume a complete Krispy Kreme doughnut, doughnut holes are a terrific low-calorie alternative. It has 170 calories per four holes and 16 grams of sugar per serving, which is not that much (these are still doughnuts, after all).

Drinks

The good news is that you can enjoy multiple low-carb beverages at Krispy Kreme. All the coffee and tea options have 0 grams of carbs and sugar. You can also try some of their iced coffees, as they come with 2.7 grams of carbs per serving. However, you should stay away from the hot chocolate because it has 8.7 grams of carbs even before you add any sugar to it.

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