Couscous Nutrition Benefits and Facts

Nutritional summary

Couscous is a starchy grain product that serves as a low-fat source of energy and is a staple carbohydrate in Mediterranean and North African dietary patterns .
Whole-grain varieties of couscous are particularly recommended because they contain higher levels of fibre (which aids in waste removal) and B vitamins (which help the body release energy from food) .
Combining couscous with legumes, such as chickpeas, is a long-standing cultural practice that provides a complementary amino acid profile, which is especially useful for meeting protein needs in vegetarian diets .
While couscous is naturally low in fat, many pre-packaged or flavoured versions can be high in added salt and sugar, making plain varieties or those with lower-salt stocks a more controlled choice .

Interesting fact

Despite its grain-like appearance and usage, couscous is technically a form of pasta, traditionally handmade by sprinkling durum wheat with water and rolling it into tiny pellets.

Standout nutrients

ELITE

SOURCE

Copper

ELITE

SOURCE

Manganese

ACE

SOURCE

Magnesium

ACE

SOURCE

Thiamin (Vitamin B1)

364

kcal per 100g

Protein12.0g

Fat2.10g

Carbs76.9g

Fiber3.60g

Sugar2.30g

Fat breakdown

Polyunsat0.84g

Monounsat0.26g

Saturated0.30g

Seasonality

Not available

Diet

VeganVegetarianPescatarianDairy FreeLow Fodmap

Sustainability

Lighter footprint

Wheat-based products generally have a low environmental footprint compared to animal proteins and rice.

Confidencemedium

Storage

Airtight Container

6–12 months

Store dry in a cool, dark place

Refrigerate

3–5 days

Applies to cooked couscous

Flavour

Data & Sources

Harmonized from 1 validated source

McCance & Widdowson

1 contributing source food

Claim citations

Starchy foods and carbohydrates - NHS

[3]www.nhs.uknhs.uk

Quick chicken couscous - Recipes - Healthier Families - NHS

[4]www.nhs.uknhs.uk

Mediterranean-Type Dietary Pattern and Physical Activity - PMC - NIH

[5]pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Couscous with chicken and peas - Recipes - Healthier Families - NHS

[7]www.nhs.uknhs.uk

Defining a Healthy Diet: Evidence for the Role of Contemporary ...

[9]pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dietary Protein and Amino Acids in Vegetarian Diets—A Review - PMC

[11]pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Coverage

Nutrients

FoodCompass

46.5

Version

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