A healthier alternative to white rice Couscous provides more protein and a greater contribution of vitamins and minerals than the equivalent portion of white rice.
While couscous and white rice have almost the same amount of calories per 100 grams, couscous contains more protein and higher amounts of vitamins and minerals so can be considered a healthier option in those departments. Both grains can support weight loss when incoporated into a balanced, healthy diet.
Weight Loss Aid
Couscous is actually superior to rice and quinoa when it comes to grains as it has less than 200 calories in each cup. Which is less than 10% of the daily calorie intake suggested for adults. This makes it the perfect alternative for people trying to lose weight mainly through dieting.
While neither ingredient is considered low-carb, they do share their differences. Compared to brown and white rice, couscous usually contains slightly lower carbs per serving. However, when comparing our Traditional Pearl Couscous with our Wild and Brown Rice Mix, the number of carbohydrates is the same.
Quinoa, hands down. The similarities are deceptive… Quinoa is a complete protein, can be part of a gluten-free diet, has more nutrients and double the fibre of couscous. And, when cooked, it has a lower GI, so it should help to keep you feeling fuller for longer.
The selenium in couscous can also give your immune system a boost. This antioxidant helps reduce inflammation and boosts immunity by lowering oxidative stress in your body ( 2 ).
Couscous has less Folate, Vitamin B1, Iron, Vitamin B2, Manganese, Phosphorus, Vitamin B12, and Copper than Pasta. Pasta covers your daily need of Folate 12% more than Couscous. Couscous has less Cholesterol.
While couscous edges out brown rice in protein, brown rice has the advantage with other nutrients. Selenium, manganese, niacin, copper, and phosphorus is more abundant in brown rice than it is in couscous.
It is commonly agreed that foods containing simple carbohydrates with no fiber or those that are rich in protein with no carbohydrates are absorbed rapidly and are considered easy to digest foods. This is where couscous comes in.
Whole-grain couscous is a good source of fiber. Fiber is good for you in a lot of ways. It can stop your blood sugar from spiking and can keep you fuller longer. It also can help lower cholesterol, which can reduce your chances of heart disease.
Couscous Calories
Couscous contains 176 calories per cooked cup (157g). Of those calories, 85% come from carbs, 14% from protein, and 1% from fat.
Vegetables, such as riced cauliflower, riced broccoli, and chopped cabbage, are low-calorie and low-carb alternatives packed with nutrients. Plus, many whole-grain options, including bulgur, freekeh, and barley, can add a nutty, earthy taste and chewy texture to your dishes.
Couscous may not be listed among the so-called “superfoods,” but it's well worth adding to your pantry. Couscous is a pantry staple in many kitchens around the world, and for good reason.
Couscous is a good source of fiber, an essential nutrient for diabetics because of its glucose-lowering effect. You can get as much as 2.2 g of fiber from just a cup of cooked couscous. It is also a rich source of protein and offers minimal fat, at 5.95 g and 0.251 g per cup, respectively.
Oats are among the healthiest grains on earth. They're a gluten-free whole grain and a great source of important vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. Studies show that oats and oatmeal have many health benefits. These include weight loss, lower blood sugar levels, and a reduced risk of heart disease.
Both rice and potatoes are great thanks to their fat content being less than 1g, which makes them perfect candidates for weight-loss foods. Vitamin-wise, rice is a great source of vitamin B spectrum, while potatoes have gotten their good reputation in vitamin C content as one of the highest amongst vegetables.
5. Couscous. Couscous is a processed grain product that's typically made from semolina flour or durum wheat. A staple in many Middle Eastern and Moroccan dishes, couscous is relatively low in carbs, with around 34.5 grams of net carbs in each 1 cup (157 gram) serving of cooked couscous ( 16 ).
It's both! 'Couscous is a processed grain derived from durum wheat semolina,' says Karine. 'And it consists mainly of carbohydrates – roughly 23g of carbohydrates per 100g of prepared couscous. '
Couscous is generally a healthful food that you can feel comfortable including as part of a well-balanced diet. It's naturally low in fat, can be a good source of fiber (the whole wheat version), and provides some protein, B vitamins, and minerals (1).