After all the long hours spent at the gym trying to stay in shape, it will be a great injustice to eat anything that will not contribute to moving the ministry forward. It is only wise that whatever you put into your mouth goes under close scrutiny, right? While flipping through the covers of a recipe magazine or binge-watching your favourite cooking show on Food Network, you come across a certain food with a strange name, couscous (ku·skus). Your curiosity sparks and the fitfam in you begin to ask questions: Is it healthy? Does it fit into my dietary plan? How many carbs does it contain? Read on, all the answers you seek lie in this post.

Couscous is a North African food that has gone ahead to become a staple in most countries across the world. This can easily be attributed to the fact that it is one of the easiest, fastest, most versatile side dishes around and also because it is considered a healthier alternative to rice, spaghetti, and noodles.

Here is a list of the health and nutritional benefits that can be derived from it:

• It is rich in Selenium – a powerful antioxidant that helps your body repair damaged cells and decreases inflammation
•  It may help lower cancer risk
•  It boosts the immune system
•  It is a good source of plant-based protein

You’ve probably made a mental note to add couscous to your shopping list but just before you do that, take a look at these:

Couscous is high in gluten: Couscous is a processed grain product made from little balls

of durum wheat or semolina flour, which is considered a high gluten product.

It could increase blood sugar levels: Individuals with blood sugar issues or diabetes are advised to avoid the consumption of couscous as it can cause spikes in blood sugar. To balance out your sugar levels, couscous should be consumed with other sources of protein or foods rich in soluble fibre.

It is low in essential nutrients: Couscous contains some fibre, potassium and other nutrients, although it’s not considered a good source. Whole grains such as quinoa, brown rice, and oats

are better sources of fibre than couscous. Also, fruits and plant-based foods such as avocado, bananas or potatoes are far better sources of potassium than couscous. The bottom line is that while it might have its nutritional benefits, it might not be the best carb choice for everyone.

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