Couscous vs Quinoa

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vizsla99
vizsla99 Posts: 66 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Just curious what everyone's thoughts are on these two foods. I saw couscous at the store today and noticed it was about half the price of quinoa. Seemed like it had pretty similar nutritional info.

Any thoughts?
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Replies

  • WBB55
    WBB55 Posts: 4,131 Member
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    quinoa, 100%, no question.

    If quinoa is too expensive, try making 50% quinoa and 50% brown rice. Brown rice is practically free.
  • carryingon
    carryingon Posts: 609 Member
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    Yes, my friend made a quinoa brown rice combo and it was so delicious!
  • Shadowknight137
    Shadowknight137 Posts: 1,243 Member
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    Never understood the whole interest in quinoa - sure, it's quite tasty, but waaaaay overpriced.
    I'm coeliac, so cous-cous is off limits.

    IMO, go for white rice - or at the very least, basmati. Much cheaper, and just as "healthy" as brown rice.
  • rockerbabyy
    rockerbabyy Posts: 2,258 Member
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    i like them both, and rotate them throughout the week along with potatoes, rice, breads and other pastas.
    however, nutritionally speaking, quinoa is wayy better
  • vizsla99
    vizsla99 Posts: 66 Member
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    I found this online at a nutrition data site:

    Couscous
    http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/cereal-grains-and-pasta/5699/2

    Quinoa
    http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/cereal-grains-and-pasta/10352/2

    Help me understand why quinoa is WAY superior?
  • rockerbabyy
    rockerbabyy Posts: 2,258 Member
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    couscous is basically just tiny pasta.
    quinoa is a grain (though ive read some debate as to if its an actual grain or a seed) that is high in protein, fiber, potassium and other minerals. it contains all 9 essential amino acids.
    http://skipthepie.org/cereal-grains-and-pasta/couscous-cooked/compared-to/quinoa-cooked/#nut
  • PrivateVenue
    PrivateVenue Posts: 41 Member
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    Quinoa all the way. It is expensive, but it's a complete protein. Meaning that it's missing nothing! It's not a grain so it doesn't turn into sugar as soon as you eat it.
  • KarenJanine
    KarenJanine Posts: 3,497 Member
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    I found this online at a nutrition data site:

    Couscous
    http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/cereal-grains-and-pasta/5699/2

    Quinoa
    http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/cereal-grains-and-pasta/10352/2

    Help me understand why quinoa is WAY superior?

    This is interesting as quinoa is often pushed as a high protein food but this shows cous cous to be pretty similar. Being in the UK I tend to avoid quinoa because:

    a) it is expensive having travelled half way round the world from South America = poor carbon footprint etc.

    b) its the staple grain of the Bolivians and Peruvians and the increasing popularity of it among western countries has pushed up the prices so they can't afford to eat it in their own country anymore
  • benol1
    benol1 Posts: 867 Member
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    Quinoa - definitely.
    Its a whole grain and far superior to cous cous.
  • issyfit
    issyfit Posts: 1,077 Member
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    I just made some quinoa--cooked it in the rice cooker. I like it because it picks up the flavor of whatever dish you add it to so it's very versatile.
  • dzuli823
    dzuli823 Posts: 115 Member
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    couscous is basically just tiny pasta.
    quinoa is a grain (though ive read some debate as to if its an actual grain or a seed) that is high in protein, fiber, potassium and other minerals. it contains all 9 essential amino acids.
    http://skipthepie.org/cereal-grains-and-pasta/couscous-cooked/compared-to/quinoa-cooked/#nut

    ^this. Couscous is made from semolina, which is a type of wheat that pasta is made from. If you're going to do couscous, opt for whole wheat if you can find it. Quinoa is exactly what the above post says. It has much more calcium and iron and other minerals than couscous does, as you'd expect from any pasta.

    I use both, but quinoa in bulk is more affordable.
  • happydaze71
    happydaze71 Posts: 339 Member
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    Cous cous is a very refined product, quinoa is whole food all the way baby!!
  • evileen99
    evileen99 Posts: 1,564 Member
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    Quinoa is the rare plant protein that is a complete protein, just like meat. MUCH better for you than couscous.
  • wibutterflymagic
    wibutterflymagic Posts: 788 Member
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    Eat whichever one you like.
  • mommyshortlegs
    mommyshortlegs Posts: 402 Member
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    Think of couscous as the pasta it is, and quinoa as the grain it is, and the choice is simple.
  • cktb4him
    cktb4him Posts: 56
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    Cous-cous is not the same nutritionally as Quinoa. It's like eating white rice! High glycemic and your body will process it more easily. It's yummy, though! Quinoa has more protein and fiber and is more filling and harder for your body to break down to use. It's more of a sub for brown rice with added protein! Just my 2 cents!
  • RabidCarrot
    RabidCarrot Posts: 50 Member
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    Think of couscous as the pasta it is, and quinoa as the grain it is, and the choice is simple.

    ^^this^^
  • jha1223
    jha1223 Posts: 141 Member
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    I like them both. Reasons why quinoa may be more expensive have already been listed.

    My advice is to check for a store brand. I found ours (Simple Truth @ Bakers) and it was half the price of any national brand.
  • Linda_Darlene
    Linda_Darlene Posts: 453 Member
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    Quinoa for me as well. It is so versatile and has much better nutrition balance than couscous.
  • KANGOOJUMPS
    KANGOOJUMPS Posts: 6,472 Member
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    quinoa is better for you,i like them both tho.

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