Bagel Nutrition Facts

Calories in Bagels and Tips for Healthy Eaters

bagel nutrition
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Are you a bagel lover? Nothing tastes better than a toasted bagel in the morning or a hearty bagel sandwich for lunch in the afternoon. With so many flavors and styles to choose from, bagels are a convenient and versatile food. But bagel nutrition has changed over the years because of the way they are made. So be sure to check your favorite bagel calorie count before you build your meal.

Bagel Calorie Counts and Nutrition

Plain Bagel Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 bagel
Per Serving% Daily Value*
Calories 289 
Calories from Fat 15 
Total Fat 1.7g3%
Saturated Fat 0.2g1%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.7g 
Monounsaturated Fat 0.1g 
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 561mg23%
Potassium 106.05mg3%
Carbohydrates 56.1g19%
Dietary Fiber 2.4g10%
Sugars 0g 
Protein 11g 
Vitamin A 0% · Vitamin C 0%
Calcium 2% · Iron 21%
*Based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Most plain bagels are very low in saturated fat. They usually contain no cholesterol or sugar and are a good source of thiamin.

But your bagel calorie count and nutrition can vary depending on the brand that you buy. For example, Lender's Plain New York Style Bagels (frozen) only provide 230 calories but are made with high fructose corn syrup. As a result, you'll consume three grams of sugar with each bagel that you eat.

Another issue to think about when you buy a bagel is the size of the product. Bagels have gotten bigger over the years. According to the National Institutes of Health, 20 years ago a standard bagel was just three inches in diameter and had 140 calories. Now a typical plain bagel in many delis and bakeries can measure up to six inches in diameter and can add 350 calories to your daily calorie count. And even though many smart bagel eaters split the food with a friend, half bagel calories are now higher as well.

Different varieties of bagels also provide different nutrition. For example, calories in a cinnamon raisin bagel are much higher because of the extra sugar and fruit. A Cinnamon Swirl and Raisin Bagel at Panera provides 320 calories, 66 grams of carbohydrate and 11 grams of sugar.

Often savory bagels don't fare any better.

A cheddar pesto bagel at Bruegger's provides 420 calories, 10 grams of fat and 9 grams of sugar.

Health Benefits of Bagels 

Your favorite bagel may be a source of refined carbohydrates. That means that the grains used to make the products have been processed by a food manufacturer so that the whole grain is no longer intact. The refining or milling process removes dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. In general, nutritionists recommend that you limit your intake of refined grains.

You can usually tell if a food is refined if the label says that it is enriched. Enriched products are those that have had some nutrients added back in during production. But these foods are still often lacking fiber—an important nutrient in a balanced diet.

And what about whole wheat bagels? One whole wheat bagel is equivalent to eating about 4-6 slices of bread, which means it is very carbohydrate dense and can raise blood sugars. For that reason, they're not usually recommended for people with diabetes.

Selecting and Storing Your Bagels

Knowing that not all bagels are created equal, be mindful of the kind you're buying and its portion size. Ask about their freshness to be sure you're not buying day (or two!) old bagels.

When you do buy a few, keep them fresh by storing at room temperature in a plastic bag. You might think that refrigerating will make them last longer, but the opposite is usually true. You can freeze them for up to 4 months, however, and them warm them up in the oven when you're ready to enjoy them again.

How to Make Your Bagel More Healthy

If you are trying to cut back on carbs or limit your intake of refined bread products, there are a few things you can do to make your bagel-based meal more healthy.

  • Make an open-face sandwich. You don't have to use both halves of the bagel when you make a sandwich. Skip the upper part and simply top your bagel bottom with lean meats and veggies.
  • Scoop out your bagel. If you like having both a top and a bottom bagel, then scoop out the middle. Use a spoon and remove the soft middle part. Build your sandwich around the bagel crust.
  • Go whole grain. Even though whole wheat bagels still provide more calories and carbs, a whole grain choice is still better than a refined product because you get the dietary benefits of fiber.
  • Toppings matter too! Even though bagel calories matter, the calories in your topping will add up as well. And a bigger bagel will require more toppings. So watch what you layer on top. Skip the butter and the high-calorie cream cheese. Go for healthy veggies, hummus or make a healthy bagel pizza with fresh ingredients.

A Word From Verywell

Bagels have landed on the no-no list for many diet-conscious eaters. But at Verywell, we don't believe in "good foods" and "bad foods." Almost any food can be included in a nutritious diet if you eat it in moderation and include it in a comprehensive plan for healthy living. Keep bagels on the menu at your house if you enjoy them. But balance the bagel with other nutritious foods that include fiber, protein, and healthy fats to keep your smart eating plan on track.