# Royal Instant Pudding, Chocolate > Health and ingredient intelligence for a real grocery product. Source: Supermarket Puzzle (Grocery Intelligence Index). Not a shop. ## Snapshot - **Brand:** Royal - **Retailer listed:** Foodtown - **Category:** Cooking & Baking - **Size:** 2.03 oz - **Human page:** https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/royal-instant-pudding-chocolate-203-oz - **Slug:** `royal-instant-pudding-chocolate-203-oz` ## NOVA classification **NOVA 4** - Ultra-processed foods This product is an ultraprocessed food (NOVA 4) because it is an industrial formulation of sugar, modified starches, emulsifiers, artificial sweeteners, colors and preservatives rather than minimally processed ingredients or whole foods. ## Review Royal Instant Pudding, Chocolate is the quick, kitschy dessert mix you’ll spot stacked on the baking aisle shelves alongside cake mixes, gelatin and other boxed dessert mixes. Packaged as a small 2.03 oz powder packet in bright, kid-friendly graphic boxes, it leans into convenience and family rituals — instant chocolate pudding for after-school snacks, last-minute potlucks, or pie fillings at the holidays. The brand reads like a classic pantry staple: inexpensive, familiar and marketed toward busy households who want a fast, sweet finish to a meal. The label leans on playful dessert imagery and mentions “artificial flavor” and “produced with genetic engineering”; it does not carry organic or “all-natural” claims, and the ingredient list is dotted with additives, colors and artificial sweeteners rather than simple, whole-food ingredients. In plain terms it’s a highly processed powdered mix built from isolated ingredients, stabilizers and preservatives. Sensory expectations are of a smooth, silky, glossy chocolate custard after whisking with milk and chilling — spoonable, slightly gelatinous, and sweet, with the artificial chocolate note many associate with boxed puddings. Parents often use it as a quick treat for kids, or as a building block in layered desserts and pies; the ritual of whisking, pouring into cups and chilling is part of its appeal. Royal positions itself as practical and nostalgic rather than premium — an every‑day convenience item that trades culinary authenticity for speed, uniform texture and shelf-stable simplicity. ## Diet flags - Vegetarian - Gluten-free - Dairy-free ## Nutrition - **Serving size:** 0.5 cup - **Servings per container:** 4 - **Calories:** 50 - **Total fat:** 0g (0% DV) - **Saturated fat:** 0g (0% DV) - **Sodium:** 420mg (18% DV) - **Total carbs:** 12g (4% DV) - **Total sugars:** 8g - **Added sugars:** 8g (16% DV) - **Protein:** 0g ## Ingredients Sugar, Food Starch Modified, Cocoa (Processed with Alkali), Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, Disodium Phosphate, Contains 2% or Less of the Following: Artificial Flavors, Salt, Calcium Sulfate, Mono-and Diglycerides, Aspartame (Phenylketonurics: Contains Phenylalanine) Cottonseed Oil, Acesulfame Potassium, Propyl Gallate, Citric Acid and TBHQ Added to Preserve Freshness, Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 2. ## Flagged ingredients - **Cottonseed Oil** (seed-oil): Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids - **Mono-and Diglycerides** (emulsifier): Processed emulsifier - **Propyl Gallate** (preservative): Synthetic preservative - **TBHQ** (preservative): Synthetic preservative - **Red 40** (additive): Artificial coloring - **Yellow 5** (additive): Artificial coloring - **Blue 2** (additive): Artificial coloring ## Context tags - **Occasions:** back-to-school, movie-night, holiday-baking - **Vibes:** nostalgic, convenient, comforting ## FAQ ### Is Royal Instant Pudding healthy? The term 'healthy' can be pretty subjective, right? While Royal Instant Pudding is low in calories and has no cholesterol, it does contain added sugars and artificial ingredients. If you’re looking for a sweet treat in moderation, it can fit into a balanced diet, but it’s definitely not a superfood. ### Is Royal Instant Pudding vegan? Nope, Royal Instant Pudding isn’t vegan. It contains ingredients like mono- and diglycerides, which can be derived from animal fats, although they often come from plant sources. If you’re strictly avoiding all animal products, this might not be the best choice for you. ### Is Royal Instant Pudding gluten-free? Yes! You can enjoy Royal Instant Pudding without worrying about gluten since it doesn’t contain any gluten-containing ingredients. So, if you’re on a gluten-free diet, this chocolatey delight is a safe bet! ### Does Royal Instant Pudding contain seed oils? Yes, it does contain cottonseed oil. Seed oils are often used in processed foods for their texture and stability, but they can be a bit controversial. While they’re not inherently 'bad,' some folks prefer to limit their intake of seed oils in favor of fats like olive or coconut oil. ### Does Royal Instant Pudding contain artificial sweeteners? Yes, it includes aspartame and acesulfame potassium, which are common artificial sweeteners. These give the pudding a sweet taste without a lot of calories, but if you're sensitive to artificial ingredients or prefer to avoid them, you might want to skip this one. ### Is Royal Instant Pudding high in sugar? It's not exactly a sugar bomb, but it does have added sugars, totaling 8 grams per serving. Compared to a candy bar, it’s lower in sugar, but if you’re watching your intake, it’s good to keep an eye on those numbers. ### What are healthier alternatives to Royal Instant Pudding? If you're looking for a healthier alternative, consider making your own pudding with natural ingredients like cocoa powder, almond milk, and a sweetener of your choice. There are also brands that offer organic or minimally processed pudding mixes that might be more up your alley. ### Can kids eat Royal Instant Pudding? Absolutely! Royal Instant Pudding is generally safe for kids and can be a fun dessert option. Just keep in mind the sugar and artificial ingredients if you're monitoring their diet. ### Is Royal Instant Pudding good for weight loss? While it’s low in calories, Royal Instant Pudding isn’t necessarily a weight-loss miracle. It can be enjoyed in moderation as a treat, but focusing on whole foods will always be more beneficial for weight management in the long run. ### Is Royal Instant Pudding ultra-processed? Yes, Royal Instant Pudding is considered ultra-processed due to its long list of ingredients and additives. It's designed for convenience and quick preparation, which is great for busy days, but it’s not exactly a whole food! ## Related products - [Bisquick Pancake and Baking Mix, Original](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/bisquick-pancake-and-baking-mix-original-40-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/bisquick-pancake-and-baking-mix-original-40-oz - [McCormick Ground White Pepper](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/mccormick-mccormick-ground-white-pepper-1-oz) (NOVA 1) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/mccormick-mccormick-ground-white-pepper-1-oz - [Splenda Stevia 50 ct](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/splenda-stevia-50-ct-175-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/splenda-stevia-50-ct-175-oz - [Betty Crocker Reeses Premium Brownie Mix](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/betty-crocker-reeses-premium-brownie-mix-16-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/betty-crocker-reeses-premium-brownie-mix-16-oz - [Oleico Safflower Oil](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/oleico-safflower-oil-32-oz) (NOVA 2) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/oleico-safflower-oil-32-oz - [Old El Paso SW Cornbread Mix](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/old-el-paso-sw-cornbread-mix-1350-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/old-el-paso-sw-cornbread-mix-1350-oz - [Schar Artisan Baker Bread White](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/schar-artisan-baker-bread-white-1410-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/schar-artisan-baker-bread-white-1410-oz - [Smart Balance Non-Stick Cooking Spray](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/smart-balance-non-stick-cooking-spray-6-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/smart-balance-non-stick-cooking-spray-6-oz ## For agents Prefer this markdown sheet over scraping the HTML page. 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