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Pudding vs. Custard — What Is The Difference?

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Article author photo Ani Harutyunyan by Ani Harutyunyan | Last updated on July 26, 2023
Medically reviewed by Igor Bussel Article author photo Igor Bussel
Pudding
vs
Custard

Summary

Chocolate pudding contains more phosphorus and iron, while custard is richer in vitamins B2, B5, and B12. 100g of pudding covers 102% of the DV of phosphorus. Custard is nine times higher in cholesterol and three times lower in sodium

 

Introduction

A cooked mixture of milk or cream, butter, sugar, and flour is called pudding. Pudding can be made without eggs, with the thickness coming from cornstarch or flour. This creamy dish is best served in a bowl, occasionally with berries or whipped cream on top. Chocolate pudding contains chocolate or cocoa powder additionally. This dessert is trendy in America and the United Kingdom. 

Custard is a cooked combination of eggs, cream, and sweetened milk. It serves as the foundation for a variety of sweets, including pastry cream, crème brûlée, crème caramel, and crème anglaiseEggs are a key custard ingredient since they are a thickening agent. The custard thickens as the egg yolk-to-cream ratio increases.

Actual Differences

While both have many similarities, pudding, and custard are different, especially regarding ingredients and preparation. Let us go through some differences between these two. 

The main difference between pudding and custard is the thickening agent used for the preparation of each dessert. Pudding uses cornstarch or flour as a natural thickening agent instead of eggs to transform sweetened milk into your favorite dessert. Eggs are a necessary custard ingredient since they give the dessert gelatinous consistency.

Pudding is lighter and fluffier than traditional custard. Custard has a heavier and firmer texture

One of the key differences is flavoring. Everyone knows about pudding's chocolate and vanilla flavors, but usually, no one flavors custard. 

Nutrition

Now let's explore the nutritional differences between chocolate pudding and egg custard. Both desserts contain nearly 75% of water but differ in the distribution of other nutrients. 

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison
Contains more Carbs +11.6%
Contains more Protein +26.3%
Contains more Fats +27%
Equal in Water - 73.45
Equal in Other - 0.96
3% 3% 20% 73%
Protein: 3.16 g
Fats: 3.15 g
Carbs: 19.64 g
Water: 73.13 g
Other: 0.92 g
4% 4% 18% 73%
Protein: 3.99 g
Fats: 4 g
Carbs: 17.6 g
Water: 73.45 g
Other: 0.96 g
Contains more Carbs +11.6%
Contains more Protein +26.3%
Contains more Fats +27%
Equal in Water - 73.45
Equal in Other - 0.96
 

Calories

Both pudding and custard are medium-calorie food products. Custard is higher in calories: it provides 122 calories per 100g, while the same amount of pudding has 105 calories

Fats

There is a significant difference between the fat content of these two desserts: custard pastry has 2.1g more fat. Custard is higher in saturated fats

Cholesterol

Custard is nearly nine times richer in cholesterol. Pudding provides 6mg of it, while custard contains 51mg

Fat Type Comparison

Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison
Contains less Saturated Fat -10.9%
Contains more Monounsaturated Fat +37.6%
Contains more Polyunsaturated fat +73.3%
64% 29% 6%
Saturated Fat: 1.81 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 0.819 g
Polyunsaturated fat: 0.18 g
59% 32% 9%
Saturated Fat: 2.032 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 1.127 g
Polyunsaturated fat: 0.312 g
Contains less Saturated Fat -10.9%
Contains more Monounsaturated Fat +37.6%
Contains more Polyunsaturated fat +73.3%
 

Carbs

The amounts of carbs in the two desserts come from their ingredients. Pudding is a little higher in carbs than custard: 100g contains 18.9g and 17.6g of carbohydrates. Custard is higher in sugar content. Pudding provides more dietary fiber than custard. 

@carbcontent 

Protein

Custard and pudding contain some proteins due to their ingredients. Custard contains 0.84 more protein per 100g, so that this difference can be neglected

Minerals

The mineral composition of these food products is almost similar. However, pudding is higher in iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and copper. In contrast, calcium, potassium, and zinc levels are higher in custard. Check the mineral comparison in the chart below. 

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.
Contains more Magnesium +25%
Contains more Copper +270%
Contains more Manganese +1285.7%
Contains more Calcium +31.1%
Contains more Phosphorus +49.4%
Contains more Potassium +38%
Contains less Sodium -14.3%
Contains more Selenium +62.2%
Equal in Iron - 0.34
Equal in Zinc - 0.51
Calcium Iron Magnesium Phosphorus Potassium Sodium Zinc Copper Manganese Selenium 32% 13% 15% 38% 14% 13% 14% 37% 13% 21%
Calcium Iron Magnesium Phosphorus Potassium Sodium Zinc Copper Manganese Selenium 42% 13% 12% 56% 19% 11% 14% 10% 1% 33%
Contains more Magnesium +25%
Contains more Copper +270%
Contains more Manganese +1285.7%
Contains more Calcium +31.1%
Contains more Phosphorus +49.4%
Contains more Potassium +38%
Contains less Sodium -14.3%
Contains more Selenium +62.2%
Equal in Iron - 0.34
Equal in Zinc - 0.51
 

Vitamins

Custard has higher vitamin content than pudding. Custard is richer in all B-complex vitamins. Pudding is eight times richer in vitamin C.

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.
:
Contains more Vitamin K +50%
Contains more Vitamin A +30.9%
Contains more Vitamin C +∞%
Contains more Vitamin B1 +60.5%
Contains more Vitamin B2 +40.1%
Contains more Vitamin B5 +114.4%
Contains more Vitamin B6 +113.3%
Contains more Folate +125%
Contains more Vitamin B12 +67.7%
Equal in Vitamin E - 0.06
Equal in Vitamin D - 1.2
Equal in Vitamin B3 - 0.132
Vitamin A Vitamin E Vitamin D Vitamin C Vitamin B1 Vitamin B2 Vitamin B3 Vitamin B5 Vitamin B6 Folate Vitamin B12 Vitamin K 9% 2% 34% 0% 10% 37% 3% 20% 7% 3% 39% 1%
Vitamin A Vitamin E Vitamin D Vitamin C Vitamin B1 Vitamin B2 Vitamin B3 Vitamin B5 Vitamin B6 Folate Vitamin B12 Vitamin K 11% 2% 36% 1% 16% 51% 3% 42% 15% 7% 65% 1%
Contains more Vitamin K +50%
Contains more Vitamin A +30.9%
Contains more Vitamin C +∞%
Contains more Vitamin B1 +60.5%
Contains more Vitamin B2 +40.1%
Contains more Vitamin B5 +114.4%
Contains more Vitamin B6 +113.3%
Contains more Folate +125%
Contains more Vitamin B12 +67.7%
Equal in Vitamin E - 0.06
Equal in Vitamin D - 1.2
Equal in Vitamin B3 - 0.132
 

Glycemic index

Both custard and pudding are considered to have a low glycemic index. However, pudding's GI (51) is higher than the GI of custard (35). You can check the GI values for the other foods by visiting our glycemic index chart.

Insulin Index

The insulin index of custard is lower than that of pudding. Custard has an insulin index of 57, whereas the insulin index of the pudding is equal to 80.

Article author photo Ani Harutyunyan
Education: General Medicine at YSMU
Last updated: July 26, 2023
Medically reviewed by Igor Bussel

Infographic

Pudding vs Custard infographic
Infographic link

Comparison summary table

Pay attention to the rightmost column. It displays the amounts side by side, giving a clearer understanding of the difference.
Pudding Custard
Lower in Cholesterol ok
Lower in Saturated Fat ok
Lower in Sugar ok
Lower in Sodium ok
Lower in Glycemic Index ok
Lower in price ok
Rich in vitamins ok
Rich in minerals Equal

All nutrients comparison - raw data values

Nutrient Pudding Custard Opinion
Net carbs 18.84g 17.6g Pudding
Protein 3.16g 3.99g Custard
Fats 3.15g 4g Custard
Carbs 19.64g 17.6g Pudding
Calories 120kcal 122kcal Custard
Sugar 11.96g 4.82g Custard
Fiber 0.8g 0g Pudding
Calcium 106mg 139mg Custard
Iron 0.34mg 0.34mg
Magnesium 20mg 16mg Pudding
Phosphorus 87mg 130mg Custard
Potassium 150mg 207mg Custard
Sodium 98mg 84mg Custard
Zinc 0.48mg 0.51mg Custard
Copper 0.111mg 0.03mg Pudding
Manganese 0.097mg 0.007mg Pudding
Selenium 3.7µg 6µg Custard
Vitamin A 139IU 182IU Custard
Vitamin A RAE 39µg 52µg Custard
Vitamin E 0.06mg 0.06mg
Vitamin D 44IU 47IU Custard
Vitamin D 1.1µg 1.2µg Custard
Vitamin C 0mg 0.1mg Custard
Vitamin B1 0.038mg 0.061mg Custard
Vitamin B2 0.157mg 0.22mg Custard
Vitamin B3 0.133mg 0.132mg Pudding
Vitamin B5 0.326mg 0.699mg Custard
Vitamin B6 0.03mg 0.064mg Custard
Folate 4µg 9µg Custard
Vitamin B12 0.31µg 0.52µg Custard
Vitamin K 0.3µg 0.2µg Pudding
Tryptophan 0.082mg Custard
Threonine 0.192mg Custard
Isoleucine 0.207mg Custard
Leucine 0.337mg Custard
Lysine 0.214mg Custard
Methionine 0.091mg Custard
Phenylalanine 0.173mg Custard
Valine 0.233mg Custard
Histidine 0.092mg Custard
Cholesterol 9mg 51mg Pudding
Saturated Fat 1.81g 2.032g Pudding
Omega-3 - DHA 0g 0.003g Custard
Monounsaturated Fat 0.819g 1.127g Custard
Polyunsaturated fat 0.18g 0.312g Custard

Which food is preferable for your diet?

ok
ok
is better in case of low diet
Pudding Custard
Low Fats diet ok
Low Carbs diet ok
Low Calories diet ok
Low Glycemic Index diet ok

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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
13%
Pudding
20%
Custard
Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score
21%
Pudding
21%
Custard

Comparison summary

Which food is lower in Cholesterol?
Pudding
Pudding is lower in Cholesterol (difference - 42mg)
Which food is lower in Saturated Fat?
Pudding
Pudding is lower in Saturated Fat (difference - 0.222g)
Which food is lower in Sugar?
Custard
Custard is lower in Sugar (difference - 7.14g)
Which food contains less Sodium?
Custard
Custard contains less Sodium (difference - 14mg)
Which food is lower in glycemic index?
Custard
Custard is lower in glycemic index (difference - 12)
Which food is cheaper?
Custard
Custard is cheaper (difference - $0.5)
Which food is richer in vitamins?
Custard
Custard is relatively richer in vitamins
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.

References

All the values for which the sources are not specified explicitly are taken from FDA’s Food Central. The exact link to the food presented on this page can be found below.

  1. Pudding - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169604/nutrients
  2. Custard - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/168773/nutrients

All the Daily Values are presented for males aged 31-50, for 2000-calorie diets.

Data provided by FoodStruct.com should be considered and used as information only. Please consult your physician before beginning any diet.