Pound Cake vs. Yellow Cake — Health Impact and Nutrition Comparison

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by Elen Khachatrian | Last updated on July 26, 2023

Medically reviewed by Astghik Baghinyan

Summary

Pound cake's ingredients are the same as yellow cake's, except they do not contain as much chocolate. Yellow cake provides slightly more calories and fat when compared to pound cake.

Pound cakes are much richer in almost all vitamins, especially B-complex vitamins. Specifically, pound cakes provide 4 times more Vitamin B1, as well as 3 times more Vitamin B2 and Vitamin B5. On the other hand, yellow cake contains 7 times more Vitamin E and 15 times more Vitamin K.

When it comes to minerals, yellow cake is richer, containing more iron, copper, and less sodium than pound cake.

Table of contents

Introduction

What's the Actual Difference?

Nutrition

Macronutrients and Calories

Calories
Fats
Carbohydrates
Fiber

Vitamins

Minerals

Glycemic Index

Acidity

Health Impact

References

Introduction

This article will discuss the main differences between yellow cake and pound cake. We will focus on the nutritional value and health impact of these cakes.

What's the Actual Difference?

Classic yellow cake is made from salt, flour, eggs, sugar, milk, butter, vanilla, and chocolate. It has a vanilla flavor and a tender and fluffy texture.

Pound cake's ingredients are the same as yellow cake's, except chocolate. It has a sweet and buttery taste and a dense, velvety texture.

Nutrition

The nutritional differences here are depicted for commercially prepared, butter pound cake and commercially prepared yellow cake with chocolate frosting.

The serving sizes for both are usually one piece. One piece of individually wrapped pound cake is 49 grams, while one piece of yellow cake is about 64 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, pound cake and yellow cake have similar compositions. The predominant macronutrients in both are carbs, making up about 55% of the entire composition.

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison

Pound cake

Yellow cake

Contains more Protein +58.2%

Contains more Water +15.6%

Contains more Other +13.3%

Contains more Fats +27.1%

Equal in Carbs - 55.36

Pound cake

Protein: 5 g

Fats: 13.96 g

Carbs: 53.64 g

Water: 25.87 g

Other: 1.53 g

Yellow cake

Protein: 3.16 g

Fats: 17.75 g

Carbs: 55.36 g

Water: 22.38 g

Other: 1.35 g

Contains more Protein +58.2%

Contains more Water +15.6%

Contains more Other +13.3%

Contains more Fats +27.1%

Equal in Carbs - 55.36

Calories

Both pound cake and yellow cake are very high in calories.

Per 100-gram serving, pound cake provides 353 calories, while the same serving of yellow cake provides only slightly more, 379 calories.

Fats

The yellow cake contains slightly more fat than the pound cake.

Per 100-gram serving, the yellow cake contains 18 grams of fat, while the pound cake contains 14 grams of fat.

Carbohydrates

Both yellow cakes and pound cakes are considered high-carb foods.

Yellow cake has 55.36g of carbs per 100g, and pound cake contains 53.64 carbs per 100g. If you have diabetes or you're controlling your blood glucose levels, be mindful of eating these cakes.

Fiber

The amount of fiber in yellow cake is slightly higher than in pound cake. It contains 1.5g of fiber per 100g, while pound cake contains 0.6g per same serving.

Vitamins

The vitamin content of pound cake is richer than that of yellow cake.

Pound cakes provide more B-complex vitamins than yellow cakes. Specifically, pound cakes provide 4 times more Vitamin B1, 3 times more Vitamin B2 and Vitamin B5, and 2 times more Vitamin B3 and folate. Moreover, it also contains some amounts of Vitamin B12, which is completely absent in yellow cake.

On the other hand, yellow cake contains 7 times more Vitamin E and 15 times more Vitamin K.

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.

Pound cake

Yellow cake

Contains more Vitamin A +826.9%

Contains more Vitamin D +300%

Contains more Vitamin B1 +302.3%

Contains more Vitamin B2 +167.7%

Contains more Vitamin B3 +101.9%

Contains more Vitamin B5 +193.9%

Contains more Vitamin B6 +∞%

Contains more Folate +90.9%

Contains more Vitamin B12 +∞%

Contains more Vitamin E +592.3%

Contains more Vitamin K +1376.5%

Pound cake

Yellow cake

Contains more Vitamin A +826.9%

Contains more Vitamin D +300%

Contains more Vitamin B1 +302.3%

Contains more Vitamin B2 +167.7%

Contains more Vitamin B3 +101.9%

Contains more Vitamin B5 +193.9%

Contains more Vitamin B6 +∞%

Contains more Folate +90.9%

Contains more Vitamin B12 +∞%

Contains more Vitamin E +592.3%

Contains more Vitamin K +1376.5%

Minerals

Yellow cake has more minerals than pound cake. It contains more iron, copper, and less sodium than pound cake.

The amount of copper is 2 times higher in yellow cakes when compared to pound cakes.

Both provide similar amounts of phosphorus, zinc, potassium, and selenium.

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.

Pound cake

Yellow cake

Contains more Calcium +46.9%

Contains more Iron +37.2%

Contains more Magnesium +150%

Contains more Potassium +25.5%

Contains less Sodium -17.8%

Contains more Copper +278.6%

Contains more Manganese +101.8%

Contains more Selenium +18%

Equal in Phosphorus - 138

Equal in Zinc - 0.42

Pound cake

Yellow cake

Contains more Calcium +46.9%

Contains more Iron +37.2%

Contains more Magnesium +150%

Contains more Potassium +25.5%

Contains less Sodium -17.8%

Contains more Copper +278.6%

Contains more Manganese +101.8%

Contains more Selenium +18%

Equal in Phosphorus - 138

Equal in Zinc - 0.42

Glycemic Index

The GI of pound cake is 54, whereas the GI of yellow cake is unknown. However, both cakes are high in carbs, so it is better to avoid too much consumption.

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 yellow cakes and pound cakes are 1.8 and 3.7, respectively, meaning both values are acidic.

Health Impact

Both cakes are high in carbs, calories, and sodium. According to research, consuming highly processed foods high in simple carbohydrates may harm heart health and affect your blood sugar levels (1).

References

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33319568/

Author name: Elen Khachatrian

Education: Nutrition & Microbiology at YSU

Last updated: July 26, 2023

Medically reviewed by Astghik Baghinyan

Infographic

Infographic link

Fat Type Comparison

Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison

Pound cake

Yellow cake

Contains less Saturated Fat -17%

Contains more Monounsaturated Fat +138.9%

Contains more Polyunsaturated fat +38.3%

Pound cake

Saturated Fat: 4.811 g

Monounsaturated Fat: 3.02 g

Polyunsaturated fat: 3.419 g

Yellow cake

Saturated Fat: 5.793 g

Monounsaturated Fat: 7.214 g

Polyunsaturated fat: 4.728 g

Contains less Saturated Fat -17%

Contains more Monounsaturated Fat +138.9%

Contains more Polyunsaturated fat +38.3%

Carbohydrate type comparison

Carbohydrate type breakdown side-by-side comparison

Pound cake

Yellow cake

Contains more Starch +103%

Contains more Lactose +115.3%

Contains more Maltose +57.1%

Contains more Sucrose +19%

Contains more Glucose +72%

Contains more Fructose +87.9%

Pound cake

Starch: 17.36 g

Sucrose: 30.68 g

Glucose: 0.75 g

Fructose: 0.33 g

Lactose: 1.27 g

Maltose: 0.33 g

Galactose: 0 g

Yellow cake

Starch: 8.55 g

Sucrose: 36.51 g

Glucose: 1.29 g

Fructose: 0.62 g

Lactose: 0.59 g

Maltose: 0.21 g

Galactose: 0 g

Contains more Starch +103%

Contains more Lactose +115.3%

Contains more Maltose +57.1%

Contains more Sucrose +19%

Contains more Glucose +72%

Contains more Fructose +87.9%

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

All nutrients comparison - raw data values

Nutrient			Opinion
Net carbs	53.04g	53.86g
Protein	5g	3.16g
Fats	13.96g	17.75g
Carbs	53.64g	55.36g
Calories	353kcal	379kcal
Starch	17.36g	8.55g
Fructose	0.33g	0.62g
Sugar	33.36g	39.22g
Fiber	0.6g	1.5g
Calcium	47mg	32mg
Iron	1.48mg	2.03mg
Magnesium	8mg	20mg
Phosphorus	140mg	138mg
Potassium	149mg	187mg
Sodium	377mg	310mg
Zinc	0.43mg	0.42mg
Copper	0.042mg	0.159mg
Manganese	0.11mg	0.222mg
Selenium	5µg	5.9µg
Vitamin A	241IU	26IU
Vitamin A RAE	70µg	7µg
Vitamin E	0.65mg	4.5mg
Vitamin D	34IU	6IU
Vitamin D	0.8µg	0.2µg
Vitamin B1	0.173mg	0.043mg
Vitamin B2	0.249mg	0.093mg
Vitamin B3	1.615mg	0.8mg
Vitamin B5	0.485mg	0.165mg
Vitamin B6	0.036mg	0mg
Folate	42µg	22µg
Vitamin B12	0.36µg	0µg
Vitamin K	1.7µg	25.1µg
Tryptophan	0.041mg
Threonine	153mg
Isoleucine	0.204mg
Leucine	0.397mg
Lysine	0.198mg
Methionine	0.117mg
Phenylalanine	0.239mg
Valine	0.249mg
Histidine	0.117mg
Cholesterol	66mg	16mg
Trans Fat	0.192g	1.313g
Saturated Fat	4.811g	5.793g
Omega-3 - DHA	0.007g	0g
Omega-3 - EPA	0.001g	0g
Omega-3 - DPA	0.005g	0g
Monounsaturated Fat	3.02g	7.214g
Polyunsaturated fat	3.419g	4.728g
Omega-6 - Eicosadienoic acid	0.004g	0.004g
Omega-6 - Linoleic acid	2.895g	3.999g
Omega-6 - Gamma-linoleic acid	0.015g	0.026g
Omega-3 - ALA	0.372g	0.474g
Omega-6 - Dihomo-gamma-linoleic acid	0.008g	0.001g

Which food is preferable for your diet?

Low Fats diet

Low Carbs diet

Low Calories diet

Low Glycemic Index diet

is better in case of low diet


Low Fats diet
Low Carbs diet
Low Calories 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

25%

19%

Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score

26%

34%

Comparison summary

Which food contains less Sodium?

Yellow cake contains less Sodium (difference - 67mg)

Which food is lower in Cholesterol?

Yellow cake is lower in Cholesterol (difference - 50mg)

Which food is lower in glycemic index?

Yellow cake is lower in glycemic index (difference - 54)

Which food is lower in Sugar?

Pound cake is lower in Sugar (difference - 5.86g)

Which food is lower in Saturated Fat?

Pound cake is lower in Saturated Fat (difference - 0.982g)

Which food is richer in vitamins?

Pound cake is relatively richer in vitamins

Which food is cheaper?

The foods are relatively equal in price ($)

Which food is richer in minerals?

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.