Couscous is often considered a healthy alternative to pasta since it's made from whole-wheat flour. Other types of pasta are typically more refined.
Nutrition Comparison
Calorie-wise, couscous comes out on top. One cup of prepared couscous has 176 calories, compared to 216 calories in brown rice. Couscous also contains 2 grams of fiber per cup and 6 grams of protein.
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.
Some foodies consider this grain product to be a type of pasta, but the similarity is only superficial — couscous is made of crushed durum wheat semolina, not the ground type used for pasta.
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.
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.
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.
Couscous is often considered a healthy alternative to pasta since it's made from whole-wheat flour. Other types of pasta are typically more refined.
TRY COUSCOUS AS A DELICIOUS REPLACEMENT FOR PASTA OR RICE IN SALADS. Step beyond salads made with pasta or rice this summer and consider couscous, a pale, delicate grain that North Africans have served for centuries with a meat or vegetable stew on top.
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.
In terms of overall health, quinoa wins! With complete proteins, fiber, and loads of micronutrients, quinoa is the healthier choice. For those counting calories or low on time, couscous is a great option.
Couscous is a useful source of a number of vitamins and minerals, including immune-supportive selenium. This essential mineral acts as an antioxidant and plays an important role in thyroid function and thyroid hormone production.
Net carbs in 200 calories: 39g
With the second-highest number of carbs on this list, couscous may not be suitable for some low-carb diets. Still, it can be a useful grain for many, and there are many variations to give you options, including instant and whole grain.
While many believe that it is a type of grain, such as rice or barley, it is actually a type of pasta. (Hint: some grocery stores may stock couscous in the pasta section, but most will often stock it in the grain section, next to the rice). Couscous is pasta made from semolina flour mixed with water.
Pasta is high in carbohydrates and couscous has 69% less carbohydrates than pasta - couscous has 23.2g of total carbs per 100 grams and pasta has 74.7g of carbohydrates.
Moreover, we mustn't forget that couscous has been part of Italian food culture for many years. Every year since 1998, in the Sicilian village of San Vito Lo Capo (in the province of Trapani, in North-Western Sicily) the Cous Cous Fest takes place.
Rich in selenium – One cup of couscous will provide about 60 percent of the selenium you need per day to stay healthy. This powerful antioxidant helps to reduce inflammation and repair cells that may be damaged. It also plays a role in thyroid health.
It's not the pasta that you need to keep it check; it's the calorie-laden extras. Pasta is a fat-free, low-sodium food that can fit in almost any weight management plan. One-half cup of cooked pasta provides about 100 calories.
Whole-Wheat Pasta
Whole-wheat pasta is an easy-to-find nutritious noodle that will bump up the nutrition of your pasta dish. Made from whole grains, every cup of cooked pasta (140 grams) boasts 3 grams of fiber and 8 grams of protein per serving, per the USDA.
Couscous Calories
Couscous contains 176 calories per cooked cup (157g). Of those calories, 85% come from carbs, 14% from protein, and 1% from fat.
One pound (2 1/2 cups) of processed couscous, “pre-cooked” at the factory, can expand with proper steaming to 12 cups. If you don't steam it properly, beware: It will just go right on expanding in your stomach! Place the couscous in a fine sieve and set under cool running water until completely wet.