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

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 strudel

3

Protein: 3.3 g

Fats: 11.2 g

Carbs: 41.1 g

Water: 43.5 g

Other: 0.9 g

Apple pie

1

Protein: 1.9 g

Fats: 11 g

Carbs: 34 g

Water: 52.2 g

Other: 0.9 g

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

Contains more WaterWater

+20%

~equal in Fats ~11g

~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 strudel

7

Apple pie

5

Contains more Vitamin EVitamin E	+∞%
Contains more Vitamin B5Vitamin B5	+126.9%
Contains more Vitamin B6Vitamin B6	+21.1%
Contains more Vitamin B12Vitamin B12	+2100%
Contains more Vitamin KVitamin K	+∞%
Contains more FolateFolate	+600%
Contains more CholineCholine	+∞%

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%

~equal in Vitamin D ~µg

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 strudel

7

Apple pie

2

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%
Contains more SeleniumSelenium	+∞%

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

~equal in Manganese ~0.182mg

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

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33195459/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5829813/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24532291/
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8077323/