Whole Wheat CousCous

[sakura58]

Hey everyone! I'm happy to see the new form up! yeah!

I've seen couscous on a couple SBD recipes. I love how easy it is to cook and flavor. But the whole wheat couscous box that I have reads that it is 45g carbs, 0 sugar, and 7g of that is fiber... isn't this high? Maybe I am not getting it...

Anyone Anyone? Thanks!

[doreen T]

hi sakura58, and Welcome :)

Um, couscous isn't really an ideal choice, whether whole or white, because it's a highly processed grain-based starch. As well .. grain-based foods and cereals, and starchy vegetables are instructed to be used sparingly during the main weightloss Phase 2.

For South Beach, it's recommended that you select foods which rate below 50 on the Glycemic Index scale ... couscous rates 61 for the type you have to cook, up to 69 for the quick-cooking instant type.

Perhaps bulgur or cracked whole wheat berries might be a better choice to have on occasion. This requires longer cooking, but rates 46 on the GI scale. You could make several servings, then freeze individual portions to reheat quickly for a meal. Bulgur has 33.8g carbs / 8g fiber per 1 cup cooked.

Another option would be to reduce the portion size. That would effectively reduce the glycemic load. As well, if you have it as part of a meal with some meat and low-GI vegetables or a salad with olive oil, this will reduce the glycemic impact further.


Hope that helps :rose:


Doreen

[sakura58]

Thank you doreen!
I usually eat quinoa (hope that's ok)... but I've been seeing sbd recipes with couscous in it, lately. Well, I'm ok with it because I do like the quinoa much better!