Nutrition Diet: How many calories in a large chocolate pudding cup?

November 5, 2025 •

4 min read

A 5.5-ounce Super Snack Pack chocolate pudding cup contains 180 calories. Knowing precisely how many calories in a large chocolate pudding cup is vital for managing your daily intake and making informed, health-conscious decisions about your dessert choices.

Quick Summary

This guide breaks down the calorie content and nutritional facts of large chocolate pudding cups from different brands, comparing them to homemade recipes to inform your dietary choices and help with mindful snacking.

Key Points

Know the Serving Size: 'Large' pudding cup sizes differ significantly between brands, impacting the total calorie count. For example, a Snack Pack Super Size (5.5oz) has 180 calories.
Check the Nutrition Label: Always read the product's nutrition label to confirm specific calorie, sugar, and fat content, as this can vary by brand and product line.
High in Added Sugars: Commercial large pudding cups tend to be high in added sugars, providing little nutritional value and primarily offering empty calories.
Homemade Offers Control: Making your own pudding allows you to control sugar, fat, and ingredients, creating a healthier, customizable version.
Mindful Moderation is Key: Commercial large pudding cups are best consumed as an occasional treat rather than a daily snack to align with a balanced and healthy nutrition diet.

Understanding 'Large' Pudding Cups and Calorie Counts

The term "large" is subjective and varies significantly across different brands and even product lines. A large, ready-to-eat chocolate pudding cup is typically defined as a serving larger than the standard 3.25 to 4-ounce versions often found in multi-packs. For example, brands like Snack Pack offer a "Super Size" or "Family Pack" version that's roughly 5.5 ounces, while a typical Jell-O refrigerated pudding cup is closer to 3.875 ounces. This difference in size is the primary reason for calorie variation, as the larger cups contain more volume and, consequently, more calories, fat, and sugar.

For a specific, large commercial product like the Snack Pack Super Size Chocolate Pudding, the calories are 180 per 5.5-ounce cup. This figure can be a useful benchmark, but it's important to always check the nutritional label of the specific product you're purchasing. Variations in ingredients, such as the type of milk (whole vs. nonfat) or the presence of additional sugars, can cause slight differences in the final calorie count.

A Nutritional Breakdown of a Large Pudding Cup

Beyond just calories, a large chocolate pudding cup provides a snapshot of various macronutrients. Using the Snack Pack Super Size as a reference:

Total Fat: Around 3.5g, with 2g being saturated fat. For a 2,000 calorie diet, this accounts for about 10% of the daily recommended saturated fat intake.
Total Carbohydrates: Approximately 34g. This is the primary source of calories in the pudding.
Sugars: A significant portion of the carbohydrates, with 22g of total sugars, including 21g of added sugars. This represents a large percentage of the daily value for added sugars.
Protein: A modest 2g per cup. Pudding is not a significant source of protein.
Sodium: Around 190mg. This is a moderate amount for a single serving of dessert.

While a large chocolate pudding cup offers a delicious treat, its nutritional profile is primarily high in sugar and calories with minimal nutritional benefit. Moderation is key when incorporating this kind of snack into a balanced diet.

Comparison of Popular Chocolate Pudding Options

To better understand how choices impact your diet, here's a comparison of different popular pudding options based on data from search results:


Pudding Type	Serving Size	Calories (approx.)	Total Sugars (approx.)	Comments
Snack Pack Super Size	5.5 oz / 156g	180	22g	Large serving, high in sugar.
Jell-O Original	3.875 oz	120	19g	Smaller size, fewer calories.
Swiss Miss	4 oz (from 24oz pack)	150	22g	Similar sugar content to Snack Pack despite smaller size.
Homemade Pudding (Recipe avg.)	1/2 cup (approx. 4oz)	150-185	Variable	Control over ingredients, can be made healthier.

The Homemade Alternative: Healthier and Customizable

For those seeking greater control over their diet, a homemade chocolate pudding recipe is an excellent option. By making it yourself, you can significantly reduce the amount of added sugars and unhealthy fats. Recipes can be adapted to your dietary needs and preferences, offering a healthier indulgence without compromising flavor. Key benefits include:

Lower Sugar: Swap out some of the refined sugar for natural alternatives or simply reduce the amount. You can also use cocoa powder with no added sugar for more control.
Healthier Fats: Instead of palm oil or other processed fats found in some commercial versions, you can use low-fat milk or other healthier, natural milk options.
Ingredient Control: You avoid preservatives, high-fructose corn syrup, and artificial flavors. Use high-quality cocoa powder for a richer, more natural chocolate flavor.
Portion Control: Make your pudding in bulk and divide it into your preferred serving sizes, preventing overconsumption.

For a recipe and more ideas, consider exploring reputable cooking websites like Allrecipes for a 'Healthy Chocolate Pudding' recipe.

Integrating Chocolate Pudding into a Balanced Diet

Including a large chocolate pudding cup in your diet doesn't have to derail your health goals, but it should be done mindfully. For most people, it can be an occasional treat rather than a daily staple. Consider these tips for better integration:

Portion Control: Opt for a smaller pudding cup or a smaller portion of your homemade version.
Strategic Snacking: Time your pudding snack for when you'll use the energy, such as before a workout, to better utilize the sugar.
Balance Your Day: If you have a large pudding cup, balance the rest of your day's meals with nutrient-dense, low-sugar foods to compensate.
Active Lifestyle: Pair the occasional sweet treat with a consistent exercise routine to help manage your overall calorie intake and output.

Conclusion

So, how many calories in a large chocolate pudding cup? The answer varies by brand, but commercial 'super size' options typically contain around 180 calories and are notably high in sugar. While these can be enjoyed in moderation, a truly health-conscious diet prioritizes controlling intake and ingredients. For a more nutritious option that offers greater flexibility, consider making your own chocolate pudding from scratch. Ultimately, the best approach is to read labels carefully, practice portion control, and use commercial pudding cups as an occasional treat rather than a regular part of your daily nutrition diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Many commercial brands, including Snack Pack, explicitly state that their chocolate pudding cups are gluten-free. However, it's always best to check the product label for specific dietary information and allergen warnings to be certain.

Yes, several brands offer low-sugar or sugar-free pudding options. Alternatively, making homemade pudding gives you complete control to use less sugar or a healthier alternative sweetener to reduce the sugar content significantly.

Homemade pudding can range in calories depending on the ingredients used, but it's often comparable to or even lower than commercial versions. For example, a homemade recipe might have around 184 calories for a similar-sized serving, but it allows for healthier ingredient substitutions.

A 'large' pudding cup is simply a larger serving size than a 'regular' one. For instance, a Snack Pack 'Super Size' is 5.5 oz, while a 'regular' Snack Pack is smaller, typically around 3.25 oz. This means the larger cup will have more calories and other nutrients proportionally.

Pudding can be part of a weight loss diet when consumed in moderation and with mindful portion control. Opting for smaller servings, sugar-free versions, or homemade alternatives with reduced sugar can help manage calorie intake and satisfy cravings without derailing progress.

Sugar-free chocolate pudding cups will have a different calorie count, typically lower than regular versions because the sugar is replaced with artificial sweeteners. Always check the nutritional label for the specific calorie count, as it will still contain carbohydrates and potentially fat.

Due to their high sugar content and often moderate fat and calorie count, commercial large pudding cups are generally not considered a healthy snack. They are best treated as an occasional dessert rather than a staple in a health-focused nutrition diet. Opting for homemade versions or nutrient-dense snacks is a better daily practice.