Consumers comparing nutrition labels
If fat is your main consideration, compare the figures per 100g rather than treating “low fat” and “reduced fat” as interchangeable. Check sugars separately, then consider how much custard you intend to serve.
Who these formats suit
Consumers wanting one defined snack
An individual pot provides a set amount. With a multi-serving tin, serving custard into a bowl lets you decide on your portion before putting the remainder away.
Consumers planning to use a larger pack
A tin or carton can work when you expect to serve custard again. Check the pack's instructions for storing it after opening and how soon to use the remainder.
What matters when choosing
For a late-night snack, settle on the format you will use, then compare nutrition on the same basis and plan for any custard left in the pack.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fat and sugars | Compare both figures per 100g, then check the serving you would eat. Tesco Groceries lists 2.0g fat and 7.4g sugars per 100g for Ambrosia Low Fat Custard 400g, versus 1.5g fat and 11.3g sugars per 100g for Tesco Reduced Fat Custard 500g. | If I am choosing custard chiefly for its fat figure, I still want to know how its sugar figure compares before deciding on a portion. About 42% of consumers would make nutrition comparison their primary concern. |
| One-snack portions | Check the pack size and stated serving. Tesco Groceries lists an individual 150g Ambrosia Light pot; the Ambrosia Low Fat tin holds 400g. | When I want just one snack, a pot saves me from measuring custard out of a larger pack. For about 33% of consumers, a defined portion would come first. |
| Leftovers | Read the instructions for the particular pack after opening. Tesco Groceries says to refrigerate its Reduced Fat Custard 500g carton and use it within three days. | I might choose a larger tin or carton if I expect to eat the remainder soon, but I need a way to store it as directed. Handling leftovers would be the main concern for about 25% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Reading “reduced fat” as “low fat”
A reduced-fat statement compares a product with a reference product. Tesco Groceries describes its Reduced Fat Custard 400g as having 54% less fat than Tesco's standard 400g can; that comparison is different from the “low fat” wording on Ambrosia's tin.
If the wording matters to your choice, check the claim on the current pack and compare the actual fat figures per 100g.
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Assuming less fat also means less sugar
Tesco Groceries lists 7.4g sugars per 100g for Ambrosia Low Fat Custard 400g and 11.3g per 100g for Tesco Reduced Fat Custard 500g, despite the latter's lower listed fat figure.
Read fat and sugars on the same per-100g basis, then look at the amount you plan to eat.
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Treating a whole tin as one serving
The Ambrosia Low Fat Custard tin contains 400g, which may be more than you intended for one midnight snack.
Serve the amount you want into a bowl and follow the pack's directions for any remainder.
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Overlooking allergens and storage
The listed Ambrosia and Tesco custards contain milk ingredients. An opened multi-serving pack also needs handling according to its own storage instructions.
Check the physical pack's allergen information before eating, and follow its instructions for storing and using leftovers.
Brands to consider
Ambrosia
Ambrosia offers a ready-to-eat Low Fat Custard 400g tin and a separately portioned Light Devon Custard 150g pot.
- Tesco Groceries lists 2.0g fat and 7.4g sugars per 100g for the 400g low-fat tin; it can be served hot or cold.
- The tin is a multi-serving format and contains milk ingredients. Check the current label before serving.
Tesco
Tesco's ready-to-serve Reduced Fat Custard appears in a 400g tin and a 500g carton.
- Tesco Groceries lists 1.7g fat and 7.4g sugars per 100g for the 400g tin, and 1.5g fat per 100g for the 500g carton.
- The 500g carton lists 11.3g sugars per 100g. Tesco instructs shoppers to refrigerate it after opening and use it within three days.
Bird's
Bird's Low Fat Instant Custard is a make-at-home alternative, not ready-to-eat tinned custard.
- Bird's says its sachets require water and make three servings each.
- It needs preparation, so it does not offer the same serve-straight-from-the-pack convenience as a tin or pot.
Joybuy custard selections
These Ambrosia options cover a 400g low-fat tin for a ready-to-eat snack and a larger 1kg Light pack if you plan to serve custard on more than one occasion.
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Ambrosia Low Fat Custard 400g
Choose the ready-to-eat tin if you want custard you can serve as a late-night snack without preparing it from powder. Tesco Groceries lists 2.0g fat and 7.4g sugars per 100g for this 400g product. It contains milk; check the current pack label and portion out the amount you want.
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Ambrosia Light Devon Custard 1kg
Consider this larger pack if you expect to serve custard again after your first snack. Its 1kg format is not a tin and requires you to decide how much to serve each time. Check its own nutrition, milk-allergen and after-opening storage information on the current pack.
Common questions
Does low-fat custard also have less sugar?
Not necessarily. Tesco Groceries lists 2.0g fat and 7.4g sugars per 100g for Ambrosia Low Fat Custard 400g, while Tesco Reduced Fat Custard 500g lists 1.5g fat and 11.3g sugars per 100g. Compare both figures per 100g and check the portion you intend to eat.
Can I eat low-fat tinned custard cold?
Ambrosia Low Fat Custard 400g can be served cold, so heating is not necessary for that product. If you prefer it warm, follow the instructions on its pack.
What should I do with custard left after opening?
Follow the instructions on the particular pack. Tesco Groceries directs shoppers to transfer unused Tesco Reduced Fat Custard to a non-metallic container, cover it, refrigerate it and use it within three days of opening.
Does “low fat” tell me whether a custard contains milk?
No. The listed Ambrosia and Tesco lower-fat custards contain milk ingredients. Check the allergen information on the physical pack each time, as ingredients can change.