Late-night dessert eaters comparing fat
If you want ready-made custard with a lower-fat formulation, compare fat, energy and sugars per 100g, then consider how much you will pour. Ambrosia publishes these figures for its light tin.
Who this suits
Cupboard-dessert planners
Ambrosia says its unopened light tin should be stored in a cool, dry place. Once opened, remove any remaining custard from the can, refrigerate it and use it within three days.
One-person and small-household shoppers
A 400g tin may leave custard to store after one serving. Ambrosia states three portions for its light can; if a fixed serving matters more than a tin, Tesco also lists light custard in 150g pots.
What to check before buying
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fat and other nutrition figures | Compare fat, energy and sugars per 100g, then check the amount you expect to serve. | For a late-night dessert, I want to look beyond the low-fat wording before deciding how much to pour. About 50% of consumers put fat and the other nutrition figures first. |
| Portions and leftovers | Check the pack size and stated portions, plus instructions for storing custard after opening. | When dessert is just for one, I need a pack whose remainder I can use in time. Roughly 33% of consumers prioritise portion size and leftovers. |
| Ready-to-serve convenience | Confirm the tin is ready to serve and follow its directions if you want it warm. | If supper is unplanned, I want custard I can keep in the cupboard and serve without making it from scratch. Around 17% of consumers place serving convenience first. |
Common buying mistakes
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Reading “low fat” as the whole nutrition picture
Ambrosia lists 7.4g sugars per 100g for its light tin. The nutrition of a dessert also depends on the amount served and anything served with the custard.
Check fat, energy and sugars per 100g, then use the serving information on the pack to assess the portion you expect to eat.
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Picking a light custard without checking the format
Light custard is sold in pots and cartons as well as tins. Tesco lists light 150g pots and a 1kg carton, but neither is a tin for this cupboard-staple choice.
Check the format and net quantity before choosing between an unopened cupboard tin, fixed-size pots or a larger carton.
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Leaving leftovers in the opened can
Ambrosia instructs shoppers to remove leftover light custard from the can, refrigerate it and use it within three days.
Transfer the remainder to a covered food-safe container and note when you opened the tin if you may not use it straight away.
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Assuming a shelf-stable tin is dairy-free
Ambrosia’s light custard contains milk-derived ingredients, including skimmed milk, buttermilk and whey. The tinned format does not make it suitable for someone with a milk allergy.
Read the ingredients and allergen statement on the pack, particularly when buying for someone who needs to avoid milk.
Relevant custard brands and formats
Ambrosia
Ambrosia lists a Ready To Serve Light Devon Custard in a 400g can, alongside light custard in other formats.
- For the can, Ambrosia lists 2.0g fat, 78kcal and 7.4g sugars per 100g. The manufacturer says it has 30% less fat and sugar than its standard Devon Custard.
- It contains milk. Ambrosia states three portions per can and instructs shoppers to refrigerate leftovers and use them within three days.
Tesco
Tesco lists light custard in 150g pots and a 1kg ready-to-serve carton for shoppers considering a format other than a tin.
- Tesco lists 1.6g fat and 90kcal per 100g for the light pots, and 1.5g fat and 86kcal per 100g for the light carton.
- These examples are pots and a carton, not low-fat tinned custard. Check the pack size and storage instructions for the format you choose.
Low-fat tinned custard on Joybuy
This Joybuy selection is a ready-to-serve, low-fat tinned custard for a late-night dessert.
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Ambrosia Low Fat Custard 400g
For a late-night dessert kept in the cupboard before opening, this 400g tin is ready to serve hot or cold. Ambrosia lists 2.0g fat, 78kcal and 7.4g sugars per 100g. It contains milk; remove leftovers from the can, refrigerate them and use them within three days. Check the serving information on the pack before calculating a portion.
Questions about low-fat tinned custard
Does low fat mean this custard is low in sugar or energy?
No. Ambrosia lists 7.4g sugars and 78kcal per 100g for its Light Devon Custard can, alongside 2.0g fat per 100g. Check the nutrition panel and the amount you intend to serve rather than relying on the low-fat wording alone.
Is Ambrosia light tinned custard suitable for someone with a milk allergy?
No. The Ambrosia light tin contains skimmed milk, buttermilk and whey, and identifies milk as an allergen. Check the physical pack’s ingredient and allergen information before serving it.
How should I store an opened tin of Ambrosia light custard?
Remove any remaining custard from the can, refrigerate it and use it within three days, as Ambrosia instructs. A covered food-safe container makes the remainder easier to store.
What does the date on a tin of custard mean?
Check whether the pack says “best before” or “use by”: GOV.UK explains that best-before dates concern quality, while use-by dates concern safety. Follow the date and storage instructions on the particular pack, including its directions after opening.