Pistachio pudding is a rich and creamy dessert. You can purchase it in instant and stove-top varieties. And you can enjoy it simply as pudding or use it in a pie or other dessert recipe. However you eat your pistachio-flavored dessert, it is high in sugar and should be reserved for special occasions. Any nutritional value you get will come from the milk you use to make it.
Calories and Fat
The calories and fat in your food is an important consideration when it comes to developing a healthy menu plan. Too much of either can cause unhealthy weight gain, and too much fat can also lead to heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Pistachio pudding mix is a good choice in terms of fat, because it has only 0.5 g of total fat per serving. There are 80 calories in a serving of pistachio pudding mix. Prepared, pistachio pudding will contain more calories and fat, depending on the type of milk you use to make it.
Sugar
The main problem with pistachio pudding mix is the amount of sugar it contains. Eating too much sugar will give you a quick energy boost followed by a dramatic drop in energy. You may wind up feeling tired after you've had your dessert. Sugar contributes to tooth decay and unhealthy weight gain, as well. A serving of pistachio pudding mix has 16 g of sugar.
Sodium
Pistachio pudding mix is a sweet treat, but it has a surprising amount of added sodium. The average diet already has far too much sodium, and choosing desserts high in sodium will increase your intake even more. High-sodium diets raise your risk of developing kidney disease, heart problems, high blood pressure and stroke. A serving of pistachio pudding mix has 360 mg of sodium, which is equal to 15 percent of your daily limit if you're following a 2,000-calorie diet.
Additional Nutrients
While pistachio pudding mix does not have much in the way of vitamins and minerals, the milk you add will increase its nutritional value. One serving of pistachio pudding with the milk added will provide about 15 percent of your daily calcium needs. The milk will also provide a small amount of protein and vitamin A.
References
- LIVESTRONG.com Daily Plate: Pistachio Pudding and Pie Filling Mix
- MayoClinic.com; Added Sugar: Don't Get Sabotaged by Sweeteners; April 2011
- MayoClinic.com; Sodium: How to Tame Your Salt Habit Now; March 2011
- Harvard School of Public Health: Fats and Cholesterol: Out With the Bad, In With the Good
- USDA Nutrient Database: Nutrient Data Laboratory
- Amazon.com: Jell-O Instant Pudding & Pie Filling, Pistachio, 3.4-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 24)
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