Couscous vs Black Beans: How To Choose?

Although couscous and black beans belong to different food groups, while couscous belong is a grain, and black beans belong to legumes food group, and it’s not that common to compare foods from different groups, people are often interested in these comparisons as well.

That’s why we decided to create an in-depth article that compares couscous and black beans, their nutritional values, similarities, differences, macronutrients, and micronutrients – vitamins and minerals.

Generally speaking, foods from grains and legume food groups are both high in carbs and protein and valuable addition to a plant-based diet.

Now, let’s see how couscous and black beans compare specifically.

Couscous

Couscous (Couscous) is a type of pasta made from small, round granules of semolina, which is the coarsely ground endosperm of durum wheat.

It is a good source of carbohydrates and small amounts of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals like iron and B vitamins, depending on the ingredients used in the dish’s preparation.

Couscous is a staple food in North Africa and the Middle East and is traditionally served as a side dish or as a base for stews and salads. It is also gluten-free and easy to digest.

Couscous can be enjoyed in various ways. It can be cooked in different sauces, with herbs and spices, and can also be used in salads and soups. It can also be paired with vegetables and lean protein sources such as legumes and in moderate portions.

Couscous is an excellent source of Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid).

It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), and Vitamin B3 (Niacin) and some Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).

Black Beans

Black beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) are a type of legume that are native to Central and South America.

They are a popular ingredient in many vegan and vegetarian dishes due to their high protein and fiber content and rich, nutty flavor.

Black beans are also a good source of antioxidants. They have been shown to have a number of potential health benefits, including reducing the risk of certain types of cancer and helping to lower cholesterol levels.

They are easy to incorporate into a wide range of recipes and can be enjoyed in dishes such as black bean soup, burritos, and salads.

Black Beans are an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).

They also contain a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine) and some Vitamin K.

Couscous vs Black Beans Nutrition

Now that we’ve described the origin, taste, and usage of these foods, we can move to the most interesting part – comparing couscous vs black beans.

This comparison will start by comparing the caloric value of couscous and black beans and their macronutrients and then go more in-depth by analyzing their vitamin and mineral content.

Couscous vs Black Beans Calories

Most calories in raw grains and legumes come from carbs. Peanuts are an exception here, but they are often considered a nut instead of a legume because of their nutritional profile.

Comparing black beans vs couscous for weight loss, black beans are slightly lower in calories, with 341 calories per 100 grams, compared to 376 calories per 100 grams of couscous.

However, both couscous and black beans can and should be a part of a healthy diet, and neither one shouldn’t be avoided if you’re looking to lose weight.

Couscous vs Black Beans Protein

Legumes and most legume products, including couscous and black beans, are important sources of plant-based protein.

Black Beans offer around 41% more protein than couscous.

Black Beans have 21.6 grams of protein per 100 grams, while couscous has 12.8 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Couscous vs Black Beans Carbs

Counting carbs can be important for some people for different reasons, including blood sugar control, weight management, or athletic performance.

It’s also important for people on a keto diet, so let’s compare the carbs content in couscous and black beans.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 19% higher in couscous than in black beans. It have 77.4 grams per 100 grams, compared to 62.4 grams in black beans.

There’s less sugar in couscous than in black beans, 100% precisely.

One handful of couscous (28 grams) contains 0 grams of sugar, while the same amount of black beans contains 0.6 grams.

Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in couscous and black beans.

Dietary fiber keeps the digestive system healthy and helps with weight management by promoting a sense of fullness.

With 4.3 grams of fiber per portion, black beans are a better source of fiber than couscous which offer 1.4 grams per portion.

Couscous vs Black Beans Fats

Like most other grains and legumes, with the exception of lupins and peanuts, couscous and black beans are low in fat.

Fats in couscous and black beans are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.

Total fat in couscous and black beans:

• Couscous: 0.6 grams per 100 grams
• Black Beans: 1.4 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, couscous is 75% lower in saturated fats.

Couscous and black beans contain 0.1 grams and 0.4 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Couscous vs Black Beans Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of couscous and black beans.

Vitamins are micronutrients, meaning we need only a small amount. However, they are very important for many processes in our bodies.

Couscous has a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin B9 (Folate), vitamin E, and vitamin K.

However, black beans have a higher amount of vitamin B3 (Niacin), and vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid).

Couscous and black beans contain the same amount of vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins couscous and black beans contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.

Couscous vs Black Beans Minerals Content

Minerals are important for our body to function properly. We need only a small amount of minerals, so they are called micronutrients.

Some minerals, like iron, calcium, zinc or, iodine, are relatively hard to get on a plant-based diet, so it’s important to choose your foods thoughtfully. This part of the couscous and black beans comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Couscous is a better source of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, and zinc than black beans.

On the other hand, black beans are a higher amount of sodium.

Couscous and black beans contain the same amount of fluoride.

Check out the table below to learn how couscous and black beans compare when it comes to mineral content.

The Final Word

Couscous and black beans are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.

Both couscous and black beans are high in specific vitamins and minerals, and including them in your diet will give you the most benefits they offer.

Antioxidants found in grains and legumes can help to protect cells from damage and may reduce the risk of certain diseases and the effects of aging.

Additionally, the fiber and other nutrients in these foods can support the health of the digestive system and may even help to prevent certain digestive cancers.

Legumes and grains are a versatile food that can be incorporated into any meal of the day, including breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They can be served hot or cold, making them a convenient and tasty addition to a variety of dishes.