Pauls Kids Custard Pouch Chocolate
Pauls Kids Custard Pouch Chocolate: independently scored 3.2/10 on Protein Score and 6.7/10 on Clean Score by ProteinScore.
2.5g protein per serve · 66 cal · 8.7g sugar · 49.7mg sodium · 70g serve.
Overview
This is a chocolate custard in a pouch, and it makes no apologies for it. The numbers tell a clear story: with 12.3g of sugar per 100g and just 3.6g of protein, it sits firmly in the dessert-snack camp. It's a world away from the high-protein Greek yoghurts and skyr pouches that now fill the chiller aisle, and that's the point. The ingredient list is what you'd expect for a long-life dairy snack. Milk and skim milk form the base, with sugar and cocoa providing the classic custard flavour. To get that smooth, spoonable texture that holds up in a pouch, the recipe leans on a modified starch thickener (1442) and a pair of stabilisers (407 and 415). It's a common trade-off for convenience, ensuring the product doesn't separate on the shelf or in a lunchbox. Compared to the brand's own high-protein offerings, the difference is stark. The Pauls PLUS+ Protein range delivers around three times the protein for a fraction of the sugar. This Kids Custard is more aligned with its direct sibling, the Kids Bluey Custard Pouch Vanilla, which has a tiny bit less protein and a touch more sugar. Against the broader yoghurt category, its protein is well below the 7.4g average, while its sugar is more than double the 5.7g average. Ultimately, we see this as a convenient, portion-controlled treat. It serves the need for a simple, mess-free pouch snack for kids who want flavour over function. If protein is your goal, you'll need to look elsewhere in the dairy aisle.
Protein Score: 3.2/10
Is this a high-protein snack for kids? The short answer is no. A single 70g pouch delivers just 2.5g of protein, a minimal amount that positions it as a light treat rather than a source of significant nutrition. This low density earns it a 2.2/10, a score that trails the field in the yoghurt category. The protein content of 3.6g per 100g sits below the benchmark for even a standard plain yoghurt (4-6g per 100g), and is a fraction of what you'd find in a typical Greek-style product. At just 3.8g of protein for every 100 calories, it doesn't offer much nutritional return for its energy content. This pouch isn't designed to compete with performance yoghurts. It's a custard snack, and the protein number reflects that. Shoppers looking for a genuine protein hit from the Pauls brand would be better served by the PLUS+ Protein range, which offers a much more substantial protein serve.
Clean Score: 6.7/10
The use of a thickener and two stabilisers is the trade-off for a smooth, consistent custard that doesn't separate in the pouch. With a total of nine ingredients, including three E-number additives, the product lands a 6.9/10 for its clean profile, which is below the category average. The additives are all common in processed dairy: a modified starch (1442) for thickness, plus carrageenan (407) and xanthan gum (415) to maintain texture. On the plus side, the list is free from artificial sweeteners, colours, and preservatives, which keeps the score from falling further. An ingredient count of nine is also slightly leaner than the typical yoghurt we see. This score reflects a moderately processed product, which is standard for this kind of convenient, long-life snack. It isn't a whole-food choice, but it successfully avoids the longer chemical lists found in many other flavoured treats. It's a practical option for parents who prioritise convenience and texture, and are comfortable with a handful of functional additives.
Wins
- Convenient 70g pouch format is ideal for kids' lunchboxes.
- No artificial sweeteners, colours or preservatives on the ingredient list.
- Made with real milk and cocoa for a classic custard flavour.
Watch outs
- Only 2.5g of protein per pouch, making it a very light snack.
- High in added sugar, with 8.7g in a small 70g serve.
- Contains thickeners and stabilisers to create its texture.
Ingredients
Milk, skim milk, sugar, thickener (1442), milk solids, cocoa (1.5%), stabilisers (407, 415 (from soy)), flavour.
9 ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the sugar in this custard added or natural?
- The majority of the sugar in this product is added, not naturally occurring from milk. The ingredients list shows sugar as the third ingredient, and the nutrition panel states 12.3g of sugar per 100g. While some of this is natural lactose from the milk base, the high total amount points to significant added sugar for sweetness. This places it firmly in the dessert or treat category. We'd consider it a sweet snack rather than a daily yoghurt.
- How does this compare to other Pauls yoghurts for protein?
- This custard has a much lower protein content than the brand's dedicated protein yoghurts. It contains just 3.6g of protein per 100g, whereas the Pauls PLUS+ Protein range offers around 10g per 100g. It is, however, very similar to its direct sibling, the Kids Bluey Custard Pouch in Vanilla, which has slightly less protein. This product is a treat, not a protein source. If you want a high-protein snack from Pauls, the PLUS+ range is the one to grab.
- Where can I buy Pauls Kids Custard pouches?
- Pauls Kids Custard pouches are widely available in major Australian supermarkets. They are catalogued at both Coles and Woolworths, typically found in the chilled dairy or kids' snacks section. Availability can vary by individual store location, but you can usually find them in most suburban and metropolitan stores. They may also be available direct from the brand or at other independent grocers.
- Is this a thick custard or a runny yoghurt?
- This is a thick, smooth custard, not a thin or runny yoghurt. The texture is created by using milk solids and a specific thickener (1442), along with stabilisers like carrageenan (407) and xanthan gum (415). These ingredients ensure it has a consistent, spoonable, dessert-like mouthfeel that doesn't separate in the pouch. It's designed to be squeezed directly from the pouch, with a texture that's rich enough to feel like a proper custard.
- Is Pauls an Australian brand?
- Yes, Pauls is a historic Australian dairy brand with a long presence in the local market. The brand is currently owned by Lactalis Australia, a subsidiary of a global company, but its products, including this custard, are manufactured in Australia. It's a familiar name in Australian supermarkets, offering a wide variety of milk, custard, and yoghurt products. For more detailed company history, the brand's own website is the best source of information.