Apple Strudel vs. Apple Pie — Health Impact and Nutrition Comparison

by Jack Yacoubian | Last updated on July 27, 2023

Medically reviewed by Astghik Baghinyan

Summary

Apple strudel and apple pie are pastries that are a variety of one another. Apple strudel is slightly higher in calories and sugars, and hence, it also has a higher glycemic index value than apple pie.

In contrast, apple pie is higher in sodium when compared to apple strudel.

These desserts should be consumed in moderation to keep the risks of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases at lower levels.

Table of contents

Introduction

Nutritional Content Comparison

Macronutrients and Calories

Calories
Carbs
Proteins
Fats

Vitamins

Minerals

Glycemic Index

Acidity

Health Impact

References

Introduction

Apple strudel is a sweet apple filling covered with puff pastry that can have any shape. In comparison, apple pie is usually made in tin foil dishes and has top and bottom crusts.

The filling that is present in both these desserts is similar. The dough parts of these pastries are different. A puff pastry covers apple strudel, and the pie is usually made with a pie crust.

This article will compare these pastries' nutritional content and general health aspects.

Nutritional Content Comparison

The nutritional differences here are depicted for apple strudel and commercially prepared apple pie (unenriched flour).

The serving sizes for both are usually one piece. Depending on the size of the strudel/pie, the weights of the slices will, of course, differ. One piece of apple strudel is usually about 71 grams. In comparison, one slice of apple pie is about 117 grams.

However, to keep the comparison between the two simple, we will sometimes refer to 100-gram servings of each in this section.

Macronutrients and Calories

As can be seen from the macronutrient comparison charts below, apple pie and apple strudel have similar macronutrient compositions. The predominant macronutrients in both are carbs and water. Apple pie consists of 52% water and 34% carbs, while apple strudel consists of 44% water and 41% carbs.

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison

Apple pie

Protein: 1.9 g

Fats: 11 g

Carbs: 34 g

Water: 52.2 g

Other: 0.9 g

Apple strudel

Protein: 3.3 g

Fats: 11.2 g

Carbs: 41.1 g

Water: 43.5 g

Other: 0.9 g

Contains more WaterWater

+20%

Contains more ProteinProtein	+73.7%
Contains more CarbsCarbs	+20.9%

~equal in Fats ~11.2g

~equal in Other ~0.9g

Calories

Apple strudel is slightly higher in calories compared to apple pie.

Per 100-gram serving, apple strudel contains 274 calories, whereas apple pie contains 237 calories.

Carbs

Both apple pie and apple strudel are high in carbs, specifically sugars.

Apple strudel contains 41g of carbs per 100g. In comparison, apple pie contains a slightly lower amount, 34g.

Proteins

Apple strudel and apple pie have negligible amounts of proteins. Per 100-gram serving, apple strudel provides 3 grams of protein, while apple pie provides 2 grams.

Fats

The amount of fat in both pastries is similar.

Per 100-gram serving, they both contain nearly 11g of fat.

Vitamins

Apple strudel is richer in vitamins B12, fotale, and E. In comparison, apple pie is richer in vitamins B1, B2, and B3.

In this diagram, we can visualize their vitamin distributions.

Vitamin Comparison

Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.

Apple pie

Apple strudel

Contains more Vitamin CVitamin C	+88.2%
Contains more Vitamin AVitamin A	+313.3%
Contains more Vitamin B1Vitamin B1	+235%
Contains more Vitamin B2Vitamin B2	+532%
Contains more Vitamin B3Vitamin B3	+240.3%

Contains more Vitamin B5Vitamin B5	+126.9%
Contains more Vitamin B6Vitamin B6	+21.1%
Contains more Vitamin B12Vitamin B12	+2100%
Contains more FolateFolate	+600%

~equal in Vitamin D ~0µg

Minerals

Apple pie is richer in iron, but it is also higher in sodium when compared to apple strudel. In contrast, apple strudel contains slightly higher amounts of potassium and an adequate amount of selenium, which is completely absent in apple pie.

In this diagram, we can visualize their distributions.

Mineral Comparison

Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.

Apple pie

Apple strudel

Contains more IronIron	+188.1%
Contains more CopperCopper	+53.3%

Contains more MagnesiumMagnesium	+28.6%
Contains more CalciumCalcium	+36.4%
Contains more PotassiumPotassium	+129.2%
Contains more ZincZinc	+18.8%
Contains more PhosphorusPhosphorus	+37.5%
Contains less SodiumSodium	-49.2%

~equal in Manganese ~0.19mg

Glycemic Index

The glycemic index (GI) is a rating system used to understand the relative ability of foods containing carbohydrates to raise blood glucose levels after consumption.

The GI of apple pie is lower than the glycemic index of apple strudel.

The GI of apple pie is 41, which is considered a low value; meanwhile, the GI of apple strudel is 59, which is considered a medium value.

You can check the GI values for the other foods by visiting our glycemic index chart.

Acidity

One way to understand the acidity of foods is through their potential renal acid load (PRAL) value, which shows how much acid or base the given food produces inside the organism.

Based on our calculations, the PRAL values of apple strudel and apple pie are -0.7 and 0.1, respectively.

Health Impact

Since these pastry dishes are packed with sugars and carbs that tend to cause spikes in glucose, frequent sugar spikes, unmonitored calories, and carbs are associated with increased risks of cardiovascular and metabolic health problems (1).

It is a common myth nowadays to classify carbs as bad macronutrients. This concept is wrong; carbs are essential. In addition to that, glucose spikes are also a normal phenomenon. The main problem is uncontrolled weight gain due to the overconsumption of calories. Thus, moderately eating one of these pastries will not only make you happy and satisfied, but it will also energize and fuel you to get along with your daily tasks efficiently (2, 3).

Being watchful of your caloric intake and eating moderate portions is key to maintaining a healthy life (4).

References

Author name: Jack Yacoubian

Education: Haigazian Medical University

Last updated: July 27, 2023

Medically reviewed by Astghik Baghinyan

Infographic

Infographic link

Fat Type Comparison

Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison

Apple pie

Saturated Fat: Sat. Fat 3.797 g

Monounsaturated Fat: Mono. Fat 4.388 g

Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 2.198 g

Apple strudel

Saturated Fat: Sat. Fat 2.044 g

Monounsaturated Fat: Mono. Fat 3.267 g

Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 5.315 g

Contains more Mono. FatMonounsaturated Fat

+34.3%

Contains less Sat. FatSaturated Fat	-46.2%
Contains more Poly. FatPolyunsaturated fat	+141.8%

Comparison summary table

Pay attention to the rightmost column. It displays the amounts side by side, giving a clearer understanding of the difference.


Lower in Sodium
Lower in Saturated Fat
Rich in minerals
Lower in Cholesterol
Lower in Sugar
Lower in Glycemic Index
Lower in price	Equal
Rich in vitamins	Equal

All nutrients comparison - raw data values

Nutrient			Opinion
Calories	237kcal	274kcal
Protein	1.9g	3.3g
Fats	11g	11.2g
Vitamin C	3.2mg	1.7mg
Net carbs	32.4g	38.9g
Carbs	34g	41.1g
Cholesterol	0mg	6mg
Magnesium	7mg	9mg
Calcium	11mg	15mg
Potassium	65mg	149mg
Iron	1.21mg	0.42mg
Sugar		25.75g
Fiber	1.6g	2.2g
Copper	0.046mg	0.03mg
Zinc	0.16mg	0.19mg
Phosphorus	24mg	33mg
Sodium	266mg	135mg
Vitamin A	124IU	30IU
Vitamin A	29µg	6µg
Vitamin E		1.42mg
Manganese	0.182mg	0.19mg
Selenium		6.1µg
Vitamin B1	0.134mg	0.04mg
Vitamin B2	0.158mg	0.025mg
Vitamin B3	1.123mg	0.33mg
Vitamin B5	0.119mg	0.27mg
Vitamin B6	0.038mg	0.046mg
Vitamin B12	0.01µg	0.22µg
Vitamin K		2.9µg
Folate	4µg	28µg
Choline		17.4mg
Saturated Fat	3.797g	2.044g
Monounsaturated Fat	4.388g	3.267g
Polyunsaturated fat	2.198g	5.315g
Tryptophan	0.026mg	0.039mg
Threonine	0.054mg	0.119mg
Isoleucine	0.073mg	0.147mg
Leucine	0.129mg	0.257mg
Lysine	0.07mg	153mg
Methionine	0.032mg	0.067mg
Phenylalanine	0.088mg	0.151mg
Valine	0.084mg	0.164mg
Histidine	0.038mg	0.076mg
Omega-3 - DHA		0.001g

Which food is preferable for your diet?

Low Calories diet

Low Fats diet

Low Carbs diet

Low Glycemic Index diet

is better in case of low diet


Low Calories diet
Low Fats diet
Low Carbs diet
Low Glycemic Index diet

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Vitamins & Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score

The summary scores indicate the extent to which this food can fulfill your daily vitamin and mineral requirements if you consume 3 servings, consisting of 100 grams of each (an approximation of 3 serving sizes).

Vitamins Daily Need Coverage Score

10%

12%

Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score

15%

14%

Comparison summary

Which food contains less Sodium?

Apple strudel contains less Sodium (difference - 131mg)

Which food is lower in Saturated Fat?

Apple strudel is lower in Saturated Fat (difference - 1.753g)

Which food is richer in minerals?

Apple strudel is relatively richer in minerals

Which food is lower in Cholesterol?

Apple pie is lower in Cholesterol (difference - 6mg)

Which food is lower in Sugar?

Apple pie is lower in Sugar (difference - 25.75g)

Which food is lower in glycemic index?

Apple pie is lower in glycemic index (difference - 18)

Which food is cheaper?

The foods are relatively equal in price ($)

Which food is richer in vitamins?

It cannot be stated which food is richer in vitamins. See the charts below for detailed information. See the charts below for detailed information. See the charts below for detailed information.