Calories in Custard Pudding: Nutritional facts for Custard Pudding Types

One hundred grams of custard pudding contains 144 calories.

One kilogram (1,000 g) of custard pudding provides 1,440 calories.

One 100 g serving of Shih An Farm Custard Pudding contains 144 kcal. One 137 g prepared serving of Custard Pudding Mix contains 220 kcal. One 115 g serving of Sainsbury's apple and custard pudding contains 132 calories.

Custard pudding provides health benefits like minor bone support and rapid energy provision due to its dairy base and carbohydrate content. This dessert is a common treat in European and Asian households. A list of the health benefits of custard pudding are shown below.

• Supports Bone Density: The milk used in traditional recipes provides calcium and phosphorus necessary for skeletal maintenance.
• Provides Quick Energy: The simple carbohydrates from refined sugar deliver glucose directly to the bloodstream.
• Aids Muscle Repair: The whey, casein, and egg proteins help support tissue repair.
• Supplies Fortified Vitamins: Dairy based puddings offer Vitamin D, which assists in calcium absorption.
• Soothes the Digestive Tract: The smooth, easily digestible texture is often tolerated by individuals recovering from stomach illnesses.
• Delivers Essential Amino Acids: Eggs provide a complete amino acid profile required for basic metabolic functions.

Custard pudding has been known to cause unwanted effects like blood sugar spikes and weight gain due to its high refined sugar content. A list of the downsides of custard pudding are shown below.

• Causes Blood Sugar Spikes: The high concentration of sucrose causes rapid insulin release.
• Promotes Weight Gain: The combination of dairy fats, egg yolks, and simple sugars makes the dessert calorie dense.
• Triggers Lactose Intolerance: The reliance on cow's milk causes gastrointestinal distress, bloating, and gas in individuals with lactose sensitivity.
• Contains Egg Allergens: The reliance on whole eggs makes the dessert unsafe for those with egg allergies.

Traditional custard puddings are not considered healthy because they contain high amounts of added sugars and lack dietary fiber. While they provide trace amounts of calcium and protein, the metabolic cost of the refined sugar outweighs the benefits. A study by Johnson et al. (2014), "Added sugars and cardiovascular disease risk," confirms that diets high in added sugars from desserts increase the risk of heart disease. They are a dessert item that should be consumed strictly in moderation.

The calories in custard pudding change based on the sweetener used and the fat content of the liquid base. Standard Dairy Custard Pudding contains 144 calories per 100 g. If the dessert is a Japanese Purin, the energy increases to 150 calories per 100 g because it relies heavily on whole eggs and added caramel syrup. A Sugar Free Custard Pudding drops significantly to 80 calories per 100 g because artificial sweeteners replace the calorie dense sucrose. When soy milk is used to create a Vegan Custard Pudding, the value sits at 110 calories per 100 g due to the lower fat content of plant milk compared to whole dairy milk and egg yolks.

There are no existing main dishes with custard pudding due to its sweetness.

Custard pudding’s origin traces back to the Middle Ages in Europe, where early cooks recognized the binding properties of eggs mixed with milk. The technique of baking this mixture in pastry crusts created the first custard tarts. As European culinary influence spread globally, French techniques evolved the dish into Creme Caramel. Latin American countries adapted the dessert as Flan, while Japan embraced it in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as Purin. Today, commercial food science has allowed the dessert to be mass produced into shelf stable mixes recognized globally.