Luqaimat vs Donuts: Calories, Nutrition & Which Is Better?
A 5-piece serving of luqaimat (~100g) has about 280 calories, while one glazed donut (~60g) has about 254 calories. The two fried treats are remarkably close in calories for their typical servings, though luqaimat's date-syrup drizzle and donut's sugar glaze sweeten them in different ways.
🍩 Luqaimat
Calories per 100g: ~280 kcal
Per 5 pieces (~100g): ~280 kcal
Protein: 4g · Carbs: 36g · Fat: 14g (per 100g)
Fiber: 1g per 100g
Best for: a traditional Emirati sweet, Ramadan iftar dessert
🍩 Donut (Glazed)
Calories per 100g: ~424 kcal
Per 1 glazed donut (~60g): ~254 kcal
Protein: 5g · Carbs: 51g · Fat: 23g (per 100g)
Fiber: 1g per 100g
Best for: a quick grab-and-go sweet treat
Luqaimat vs Donuts: side-by-side comparison
| Factor | Luqaimat | Donut (Glazed) | Better choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories (per 100g) | ~280 kcal | ~424 kcal | Luqaimat (per gram) |
| Calories (typical serving) | ~280 kcal (5 pieces) | ~254 kcal (1 donut) | Roughly equal |
| Protein (per 100g) | 4g | 5g | Donut (marginal) |
| Carbs (per 100g) | 36g | 51g | Luqaimat |
| Fat (per 100g) | 14g | 23g | Luqaimat |
| Fiber (per 100g) | 1g | 1g | Tie |
| Typical serving size | 5 pieces (~100g) | 1 glazed donut (~60g) | — |
| Weight loss suitability | Better — easy to stop at 2-3 pieces | Harder — one donut is a fixed larger unit | Luqaimat |
| Muscle gain suitability | Occasional treat only | Occasional treat only | Neither |
| Best use case | Shared dessert, Ramadan iftar | Individual quick sweet snack | Depends on setting |
Values come from the CalorieMetrica nutrition database. Homemade portions vary by recipe, brand and cooking method — the same data behind the Food Compare tool and Meal Planner.
Calories: luqaimat vs donuts
Per 100g, donuts are considerably more calorie-dense at about 424 kcal versus luqaimat's 280 kcal, since donuts pack more sugar and fat into their yeasted dough and glaze. Luqaimat, though also deep-fried, is a lighter dough that's typically drizzled with date syrup rather than a thick sugar glaze.
In typical servings, though, the two end up nearly identical — a standard 5-piece luqaimat serving is about 280 kcal, while a single glazed donut comes to roughly 254 kcal. The practical difference is portion control: luqaimat's small individual dumplings make it tempting to eat more than five, while a donut is a fixed, single unit that's easier to count.
Nutrition comparison
Donuts hold a very slight protein edge (5g vs 4g per 100g), but neither dessert should be considered a protein source. Luqaimat pulls ahead on fat content (14g vs 23g per 100g), since its dough and date-syrup finish are lighter than a donut's sugar glaze and often richer batter.
Carbohydrate content follows a similar pattern, with donuts higher at 51g per 100g compared to luqaimat's 36g. Both are fried, sugar-forward treats meant for occasional enjoyment rather than regular eating. Check your daily sugar budget with the Macro Calculator.
Which is better for weight loss?
Luqaimat has a practical edge for weight loss simply because it's easier to portion — stopping at 2-3 pieces (roughly 110-170 kcal) is a realistic way to enjoy the flavor without committing to a full serving.
A donut, being a single fixed unit, is harder to 'half-eat' in most social settings, so if you order one, you're likely eating the full 254 kcal. Track your daily total with the TDEE Calculator.
Which is better for muscle gain?
Neither fried dessert contributes meaningfully to a muscle-building diet — both are low in protein and high in fried fat and sugar, which doesn't align well with typical bulking or cutting macro targets.
If either treat fits into a high-calorie training day, enjoy it after your protein and fiber targets are already met. Check your numbers with the Protein Calculator.
Which is healthier overall?
Both luqaimat and donuts are fried, sugar-coated treats best kept as occasional indulgences rather than everyday foods. Luqaimat's date-syrup finish offers a slightly more traditional, less processed sweetness compared to a donut's refined sugar glaze, but the overall nutritional profile of both is similar.
Frequency and portion size matter more than which fried treat you pick. If you manage diabetes or cholesterol, keep portions small for either and follow your clinician's guidance on fried and sugary foods.
Luqaimat and donuts in Gulf and Western food culture
Luqaimat is a beloved Emirati and wider Gulf dessert, especially popular during Ramadan iftar spreads, traditionally served warm and drizzled with date syrup or honey. Donuts, a Western bakery classic, have become a global grab-and-go treat available everywhere from American diners to Gulf shopping malls.
Both foods have found their way onto the same dessert tables in UAE and Saudi cities today, reflecting how global and local sweets increasingly sit side by side. See more in UAE Calorie Calculator.
Practical meal examples
Lighter dessert choice (~170 kcal): 3 pieces of luqaimat (~168 kcal) instead of a full 5-piece serving.
Ramadan iftar treat (~280 kcal): 5 pieces of luqaimat (~280 kcal) drizzled with date syrup, shared at the iftar table.
Occasional sweet stop (~254 kcal): 1 glazed donut (~254 kcal) as a standalone treat, balanced by lighter meals that day.
Build any of these in the Meal Planner.
FAQs: Luqaimat vs Donuts
Which has fewer calories, luqaimat or donuts?
Per 100g, luqaimat is lower (~280 kcal) than donuts (~424 kcal). But per typical serving, a 5-piece luqaimat serving (~280 kcal) and one glazed donut (~254 kcal) are nearly identical in calories.
Is luqaimat healthier than donuts?
Luqaimat is slightly lower in fat and uses a more traditional date-syrup sweetener rather than refined sugar glaze, giving it a marginal edge, but both are fried, sugar-forward desserts best eaten occasionally.
Which has more sugar, luqaimat or donuts?
Donuts generally carry more carbohydrate (largely sugar) per 100g at 51g versus luqaimat's 36g, due to their sugar glaze and richer batter.
Can I eat luqaimat or donuts every day?
Neither is recommended as a daily habit since both are fried and high in sugar and fat. They're best enjoyed occasionally, especially luqaimat around Ramadan and celebrations.
Which is better for weight loss, luqaimat or donuts?
Luqaimat has a practical edge because its small pieces make it easier to portion to just 2-3 pieces, while a donut is typically eaten as one full, fixed-size unit.
Is luqaimat a traditional Ramadan food?
Yes, luqaimat is a very popular dessert during Ramadan iftar across the UAE and wider Gulf, traditionally served warm with date syrup or honey after breaking the fast.
Related pages
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Compare any two foods instantly in the Food Compare tool, build a full day around your choice in the Meal Planner, find your calorie target with the TDEE Calculator, or check protein needs with the Protein Calculator.
📊 Values are practical estimates from the CalorieMetrica database. Homemade portions vary with recipe, brand and cooking method. See Data Sources.