Couscous vs Millet flour: Which Is Better?
Couscous and millet flour belong to the grains food group, one of the staple food groups for people on a plant-based diet.
Grains and grain products are an affordable source of carbohydrates, as well as essential vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins (such as thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin), iron, and zinc, minerals that are usually harder to get on a plant-based diet.
They also provide a small amount of protein and healthy fats.
However, it is important to note that whole grains are generally a better source of these nutrients than refined grains.
This article will thoroughly compare couscous and millet flour and help you learn more about their similarities and differences.
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).
Millet flour
Millet flour (Panicum miliaceum) is made from ground millet, which is an ancient grain that is grown in many parts of the world, including Africa, Asia, and Europe.
It is a good source of carbohydrates, dietary fibers, and small amounts of vitamins and minerals like magnesium, phosphorus, and B vitamins. It is also gluten-free and easy to digest, making it a great option for people with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.
Millet flour is commonly used in baking and is a good alternative to wheat flour for gluten-free or alternative baking. It is also used in traditional African and Asian dishes.
Millet flour is considered a functional food, as it has been shown to positively impact health when consumed regularly as part of a balanced diet. It is also a sustainable crop, as it is drought-tolerant and can be grown in poor soil conditions.
Millet flour is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), and Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid).
It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate) and some Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin).
Couscous vs Millet flour 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 millet flour.
This comparison will start by comparing the caloric value of couscous and millet flour and their macronutrients and then go more in-depth by analyzing their vitamin and mineral content.
Couscous | Millet flour | |
---|---|---|
Energy | 376 kcal | 382 kcal |
Carbs | 77.4 g | 75.1 g |
Sugar | 0 g | 1.66 g |
Fiber | 5 g | 3.5 g |
Protein | 12.8 g | 10.8 g |
Fat | 0.64 g | 4.25 g |
Saturated Fat | 0.117 g | 0.536 g |
Couscous vs Millet flour Calories
Most calories in grains come from carbs.
Comparing couscous vs millet flour for weight loss, couscous is slightly lower in calories, with 376 calories per 100 grams, compared to 382 calories per 100 grams of millet flour.
However, both couscous and millet flour 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 Millet flour Protein
Grains and most grain products, including couscous and millet flour, are important sources of plant-based protein.
However, it should be noted that most grains, with the exception of quinoa and buckwheat, for example, are low in lysine and methionine.
That said, you can combine grains with legumes to get a complete protein.
Couscous offers around 16% more protein than millet flour.
Couscous has 12.8 grams of protein per 100 grams, while millet flour has 10.8 grams of protein per 100 grams.
Couscous vs Millet flour 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 millet flour.
The total amount of carbohydrates is around 3% higher in couscous than in millet flour. It has 77.4 grams per 100 grams, compared to 75.1 grams in millet flour.
There’s less sugar in couscous than in millet flour, 100% precisely.
That said, 100 grams of couscous contains 0 grams of sugar, while the same amount of millet flour contains 1.7 grams.
Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in couscous and millet flour.
Dietary fiber keeps the digestive system healthy and helps with weight management by promoting a sense of fullness.
With 5 grams of fiber per 100 grams, couscous is a better source of fiber than millet flour which couscous offers 3.5 grams per 100 gram portion.
Couscous vs Millet flour Fats
Like most other grains, couscous and millet flour are low in fat.
Fats in couscous and millet flour are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.
Total fat in couscous and millet flour:
- Couscous: 0.6 grams per 100 grams
- Millet flour: 4.3 per 100 grams
Speaking of saturated fats, couscous is 80% lower in saturated fats.
Couscous and millet flour contain 0.1 grams and 0.5 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.
Couscous vs Millet flour Vitamins Content
This section will discuss the vitamin content of couscous and millet flour.
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 B3 (Niacin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin B9 (Folate), vitamin E, and vitamin K.
However, millet flour has a higher amount of vitamin B2 (Riboflavin).
Couscous and millet flour contain the same amount of vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).
The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins couscous and millet flour contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.
Couscous | Millet flour | |
---|---|---|
Vitamin A | 0 | 9 IU |
Vitamin C | 0 | 0 |
Vitamin D | 0 | 0 |
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) | 0.163 mg | 0.413 mg |
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 0.078 mg | 0.073 mg |
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 3.49 mg | 6.02 mg |
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) | 1.24 mg | 1.27 mg |
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine) | 0.11 mg | 0.372 mg |
Vitamin B9 (Folate) | 20 µg | 42 µg |
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) | 0 | 0 |
Vitamin E | 0 | 0.11 mg |
Vitamin K | 0 | 0.8 µg |
Couscous vs Millet flour 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 millet flour comparison focuses on their mineral content.
Couscous is a better source of copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, and zinc than millet flour.
On the other hand, millet flour is a higher amount of calcium, and sodium.
Couscous and millet flour contain the same amount of fluoride.
Check out the table below to learn how couscous and millet flour compare when it comes to mineral content.
Couscous | Millet flour | |
---|---|---|
Calcium | 24 mg | 14 mg |
Copper | 0.247 mg | 0.535 mg |
Fluoride | 0 | 0 |
Iron | 1.08 mg | 3.94 mg |
Magnesium | 44 mg | 119 mg |
Manganese | 0.78 mg | 1 mg |
Phosphorus | 170 mg | 285 mg |
Potassium | 166 mg | 224 mg |
Selenium | 2.8 µg | 32.7 µg |
Sodium | 10 mg | 4 mg |
Zinc | 0.83 mg | 2.63 mg |
The Final Word
This article highlighted the similarities and differences between couscous and millet flour.
Grains, also known as cereal grains, are an important source of nutrition for many people around the world. They are a rich source of carbohydrates, which provide energy for the body.
Whole grains contain important vitamins and minerals, such as B vitamins and iron. Whole grains, in particular, are high in dietary fiber and can help with digestion and weight management.
They may also have other health benefits, such as reducing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
Grains are also a staple food and an important source of food security in many parts of the world.
Holy Peas has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals, associations and government institutions. Read more about our process.
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Listing of vitamins, Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/listing_of_vitamins/
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Nutrient Recommendations: Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI), Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academies of Sciences Engineering, and Medicine
https://ods.od.nih.gov/HealthInformation/nutrientrecommendations.aspx
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Protein And Amino Acid Requirements In Human Nutrition, WHO
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/43411/WHO_TRS_935_eng.pdf
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Nutrition Facts Labeling RDIs Nutrients, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
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