Pudding snack packs are a popular portable snack or dessert option. With flavors like chocolate, vanilla, tapioca, and pistachio, they offer something for everyone’s taste buds. But how many calories are actually in one of these sweet treats? Let’s take a detailed look at the calorie count for different pudding snack pack brands and flavors.
What is a Pudding Snack Pack?
A pudding snack pack is a pre-packaged plastic cup of ready-to-eat pudding. The pudding comes in a variety of flavors like chocolate, vanilla, tapioca, pistachio, butterscotch, and more. The cups are around 4 ounces in size and come with a peel-off foil lid. Most brands also include a small plastic spoon for eating the pudding right out of the cup.
Pudding snack packs are shelf-stable so they do not require refrigeration. Their portable size makes them an easy grab-and-go snack for home, work, school, or on the go. They are often marketed as a healthy snack alternative with real milk and no high fructose corn syrup. Popular brands of pudding snack packs include Jell-O, Kozy Shack, Hunt’s, and Snack Pack.
Nutritional Profile of Pudding Snack Packs
The main nutrients found in a pudding snack pack are:
- Carbohydrates – primarily from added sugars; amount varies by flavor
- Protein – from the milk ingredients
- Fat – from milk ingredients and oils
- Vitamins & Minerals – calcium, vitamin D (in fortified products)
Some key factors that affect the nutrition content per serving:
- Milk type – brands use whole milk, lowfat milk, skim milk, cream
- Added sugars – sugar content varies widely by flavor
- Thickeners – starches like corn starch or tapioca starch
- Fats – from milk, cream, hydrogenated oils in some products
- Artificial colors & flavors – in flavored varieties like chocolate, pistachio
The calorie content largely comes from the carbohydrates (sugars) and fats. The protein contributes minimally to calories. Let’s analyze specific nutrition facts of popular brands.
Calories in Jell-O Pudding Snack Packs
Jell-O is one of the most popular brands of instant pudding snack packs. Here are the nutrition facts for their pudding cups:
Jell-O Chocolate Pudding Snack Pack
- Serving size: 1 cup (4oz)
- Calories: 160
- Total fat: 5g
- Total carbs: 28g
- Protein: 3g
The chocolate flavor has 160 calories per snack pack. The calories come mostly from the 28g total carbohydrates, which include 24g sugar. There is also 5g fat. The protein contributes minimally to calories.
Jell-O Vanilla Pudding Snack Pack
- Serving size: 1 cup (4oz)
- Calories: 120
- Total fat: 2.5g
- Total carbs: 23g
- Protein: 3g
The vanilla pudding has 120 calories in one snack pack. There is 23g carbohydrates including 21g sugar. The fat content is lower compared to chocolate at just 2.5g per serving.
Jell-O Sugar Free Chocolate Pudding Snack Pack
- Serving size: 1 cup (4oz)
- Calories: 60
- Total fat: 2g
- Total carbs: 9g
- Protein: 3g
The sugar-free chocolate pudding only has 60 calories per cup. With no added sugar and lower fat, the calorie density is significantly less than the regular chocolate pudding.
Calories in Kozy Shack Pudding Snack Packs
Kozy Shack is another popular brand of pre-packaged pudding cups. Here is the nutrition data for their pudding snack packs:
Kozy Shack Chocolate Pudding
- Serving size: 1 cup (4oz)
- Calories: 160
- Total fat: 4g
- Total carbs: 29g
- Protein: 3g
The Kozy Shack chocolate pudding has 160 calories per 4 ounce cup. The calories are primarily from 29g total carbs including 25g sugar. There is 4g fat and 3g protein.
Kozy Shack Vanilla Pudding
- Serving size: 1 cup (4oz)
- Calories: 130
- Total fat: 2g
- Total carbs: 25g
- Protein: 3g
The vanilla flavor contains 130 calories per snack pack. It has 25g total carbohydrates including 23g sugar. The fat content is lower at 2g.
Kozy Shack Sugar Free Vanilla Pudding
- Serving size: 1 cup (4oz)
- Calories: 70
- Total fat: 0.5g
- Total carbs: 15g
- Protein: 3g
With no added sugar, the sugar-free Kozy Shack vanilla pudding only has 70 calories per serving. The carb content is lower at 15g total carbs. There is minimal fat at 0.5g.
Calories in Hunt’s Pudding Snack Packs
Hunt’s is a popular brand for canned fruits and snacks. Here is the calorie breakdown for their pudding snack pack options:
Hunt’s Classic Chocolate Pudding
- Serving size: 1 cup (4oz)
- Calories: 160
- Total fat: 5g
- Total carbs: 28g
- Protein: 3g
The Hunt’s chocolate pudding has 160 calories per 4 ounce cup. Each serving contains 28g total carbohydrates with 24g sugar. There is 5g fat and 3g protein.
Hunt’s Vanilla Pudding
- Serving size: 1 cup (4oz)
- Calories: 130
- Total fat: 3g
- Total carbs: 25g
- Protein: 3g
The vanilla pudding has 130 calories per snack pack. It contains 25g total carbs including 23g sugar, along with 3g of fat and 3g protein.
Hunt’s Sugar Free Vanilla Pudding
- Serving size: 1 cup (4oz)
- Calories: 60
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbs: 12g
- Protein: 3g
With no added sugar, the sugar-free vanilla pudding only provides 60 calories per serving. It has 12g total carbohydrates, no fat, and 3g protein.
Calories in Snack Pack Pudding Cups
Snack Pack is a popular brand name for pre-packaged puddings. Here are the nutrition facts for their pudding snack packs:
Snack Pack Chocolate Pudding
- Serving size: 1 cup (4oz)
- Calories: 170
- Total fat: 5g
- Total carbs: 29g
- Protein: 3g
The Snack Pack chocolate pudding contains 170 calories per 4 ounce cup. Each serving has 29g total carbohydrates including 25g sugar. There is 5g fat and 3g protein.
Snack Pack Vanilla Pudding
- Serving size: 1 cup (4oz)
- Calories: 140
- Total fat: 3g
- Total carbs: 26g
- Protein: 3g
The vanilla pudding has 140 calories per snack pack. It provides 26g total carbohydrates with 24g sugar, along with 3g fat and 3g protein.
Snack Pack Sugar Free Vanilla Pudding
- Serving size: 1 cup (4oz)
- Calories: 70
- Total fat: 0.5g
- Total carbs: 15g
- Protein: 3g
With no added sugar, the sugar-free vanilla pudding only contains 70 calories per cup. It has 0.5g fat, 15g total carbs, and 3g protein.
Comparing Calories by Flavor
Looking across brands, here is an overview of the calorie ranges for different pudding snack pack flavors:
| Flavor | Calories per 4oz Cup |
|---|---|
| Chocolate | 160-170 |
| Vanilla | 120-140 |
| Sugar Free Chocolate | 60-70 |
| Sugar Free Vanilla | 60-70 |
As shown, chocolate flavors tend to be higher in calories with 160-170 calories per serving. Vanilla flavors are moderately lower in calories with 120-140 per cup. The sugar free versions are lowest in calories, with only 60-70 calories for both chocolate and vanilla varieties.
Factors Affecting Calorie Content
There are a few key factors that impact the calorie content in different pudding snack pack products:
Sugar Content
The amount of added sugar is the primary driver of calories. Heavily sweetened flavors like chocolate have more calories from the extra sugar. Sugar free varieties are lowest in calories since they use non-nutritive sweeteners.
Milkfat Content
Full fat dairy products like whole milk and cream add more fat and calories than lowfat or nonfat versions. Vanilla pudding tends to be lower in fat and calories compared to chocolate.
Portion Size
Larger snack packs with bigger portion sizes will have more calories. The standard 4 ounce portion has 120-170 calories depending on flavor. Larger cups with more pudding increase calories proportionally.
Additives & Mix-ins
Ingredients like thickeners, emulsifiers, and artificial flavors add minimal calories. Some snack packs have mix-in ingredients that increase calories like cookies, sprinkles, and swirls of frosting.
Pudding Snack Packs Calorie Chart
For a quick at-a-glance view, here is a calorie chart for the most popular pudding snack pack flavors and brands:
| Brand | Flavors | Calories (per 4oz cup) |
|---|---|---|
| Jell-O | Chocolate | 160 |
| Vanilla | 120 | |
| Sugar Free Chocolate | 60 | |
| Kozy Shack | Chocolate | 160 |
| Vanilla | 130 | |
| Sugar Free Vanilla | 70 | |
| Hunt’s | Chocolate | 160 |
| Vanilla | 130 | |
| Sugar Free Vanilla | 60 | |
| Snack Pack | Chocolate | 170 |
| Vanilla | 140 | |
| Sugar Free Vanilla | 70 |
Tips for Enjoying Pudding Snack Packs
Here are some tips to keep in mind when enjoying pudding snack packs:
- Check the nutrition label and choose lower calorie options if you are limiting calories.
- Sugar free varieties are significantly lower in calories.
- Stick to the standard 4 ounce portion size to control calories.
- Pair with fruit or other protein foods to make a balanced snack.
- Pudding can be part of a healthy diet, but watch your overall calorie intake for the day.
- Refrigerate after opening for best texture and to prevent spoilage.
- Buy multiple cups and pre-portion for grab-and-go convenience.
General Calorie Guidelines
As a general rule of thumb:
- Regular chocolate pudding cups = 160-170 calories
- Regular vanilla pudding cups = 120-140 calories
- Sugar free pudding cups = 60-70 calories
Of course, calorie needs vary depending on age, gender, activity level, and individual health goals. Refer to the nutrition label on your specific product for the most accurate information.
The Bottom Line
Pudding snack packs offer a convenient portable treat in flavors like chocolate and vanilla. Calorie content ranges from 60-170 calories per standard 4 ounce serving depending on flavor, brand, and whether it is sugar free. Chocolate varieties tend to be higher in calories than vanilla. Sugar free pudding is lowest in calories. Check the nutrition label and stick to suggested serving sizes to keep calories in check.
