Who is choosing

Shoppers comparing sugar and fat

You want ready-to-serve custard with an explicit reduction in both nutrients compared with its standard counterpart, rather than a reduced-fat claim alone.

Fat-first dessert buyers

Reducing fat is your main selection criterion, and you are willing to consider a carton even if it is not labelled reduced sugar.

Format-focused shoppers

You need to distinguish a ready-to-serve tin from a larger carton or an instant mix that requires preparation. Pack size and storage after opening also affect your choice.

What to check

If you are choosing custard for a low-fat diet, decide whether sugar reduction is also essential, then check the pack format before comparing products.

Concern What to check Who this matters to
Sugar and fat together Look for an explicit reduction in both, then read sugars and fat per 100g. A comparative claim does not mean sugar-free. If I want to reduce both in a ready-to-serve tin, a lighter-fat label alone will not settle the choice; about 50% of consumers put both sugar and fat reduction first.
Pack format Confirm whether the product is a tin, a ready-to-serve carton or a mix that needs preparation. Check the pack size against your intended servings. When I need custard straight from a tin, I do not want to pick up a mix that needs preparing; about 20% of consumers put format and serving convenience first.
Fat-first selection Compare fat per 100g, but read the sugars line separately before treating a lighter custard as reduced sugar. For shared desserts, I may accept a carton if reducing fat is my main aim, even without a reduced-sugar claim; about 30% of consumers put fat reduction first.

Buying pitfalls

  • Reading “lighter” as “reduced sugar”

    Sainsbury's lists 11.8g sugars per 100g for its Lighter Custard carton, although it describes the product as having 50% less fat than its standard custard.

    If both nutrients matter to you, compare the fat and sugars lines per 100g rather than using the lighter-fat claim as a shortcut.

  • Reading “30% less sugar” as sugar-free

    Ambrosia's comparison is with its standard Devon Custard. ASDA Groceries lists 7.4g sugars per 100g for the Light 400g can.

    Use the reduction claim to identify the comparison, then use the nutrition panel to assess the amount in the product you would buy.

  • Overlooking the difference between tins, cartons and mixes

    A ready-to-serve carton is not a tin, while Tesco's no-added-sugar instant custard is a powder mix that requires preparation.

    Choose the format you can use before comparing pack sizes or nutrition claims.

  • Forgetting allergens and storage after opening

    The Ambrosia Light can contains milk. Ambrosia instructs shoppers to remove leftovers from the opened can, refrigerate them and consume them within three days.

    Check the current pack's allergen statement and choose a size that fits the stated storage instructions.

Brands for reference

Ambrosia

Its Light Devon Custard range includes a ready-to-serve 400g can for shoppers who want a tin and reductions in both sugar and fat.

  • Ambrosia says the 400g Light can has 30% less sugar and 30% less fat than its standard Devon Custard; ASDA Groceries lists 7.4g sugars and 2.0g fat per 100g.
  • The comparison does not mean sugar-free. The custard contains milk, and leftovers need refrigeration after opening.

Tesco

Its Light Custard carton offers a fat-first ready-to-serve option; its no-added-sugar instant mix is a separate product format.

  • Tesco describes its Light Custard 1kg carton as having 40% less fat than its standard ready-to-serve custard.
  • A fat-reduction claim does not establish a sugar reduction. The instant mix is a powder rather than ready-to-serve tinned custard.

Sainsbury's

Its ready-to-eat Lighter Custard 500g is a carton to consider when fat reduction takes priority over the requested tin format.

  • Sainsbury's describes it as having 50% less fat than its standard custard.
  • It is not described as reduced sugar; Sainsbury's lists 11.8g sugars per 100g. It also contains milk.

Joybuy product selections

These Ambrosia selections cover a 400g tin for shoppers who need tinned custard and a larger ready-to-serve carton for those who can use a different format.

Ambrosia Low Fat Custard 400g tin

Ambrosia Low Fat Custard 400g Tin

Consider this ready-to-serve tin when reductions in both sugar and fat matter. ASDA Groceries lists 7.4g sugars and 2.0g fat per 100g for the matching Ambrosia Light can, while Ambrosia describes both as 30% lower than in its standard Devon Custard. It contains milk; after opening, remove leftovers from the can, refrigerate them and consume them within three days.

View on Joybuy
Ambrosia Light Devon Custard 1kg carton

Ambrosia Light Devon Custard 1kg Carton

Consider this ready-to-serve carton if a larger pack suits you and a tin is not essential. Ambrosia describes the 1kg Light Devon Custard as having 30% less sugar and fat than its standard Devon Custard; check the current pack's per-100g figures for your comparison. It contains milk, and opened custard should be refrigerated and consumed within three days.

View on Joybuy

Questions about custard

Does “30% less sugar” mean the tin is sugar-free?

No. Ambrosia's claim compares its Light 400g can with standard Ambrosia Devon Custard, and ASDA Groceries lists 7.4g sugars per 100g for the Light can. Read the nutrition panel for the amount in the product itself.

Can I use these lighter custards if I have a milk allergy?

The Ambrosia Light can and Sainsbury's Lighter Custard contain milk, so they are not milk-free choices. Check the allergen statement on the current pack before buying, as formulations can change.

How should I store an opened custard tin?

For the Ambrosia Light 400g can, remove any remaining custard from the can, refrigerate it and consume it within three days, following Ambrosia's instructions. Check the pack instructions for a different product or format.