Cuscous is a pale yellow semolina in the form of round balls. You can boil with water, milk or as garrison. It is a very valuable food, although in reality it is a sem i-bass product. What is Cuscous, its health benefits and its damages?
Cuscous: What is Cuscous?
Cuscous is a traditional food of the inhabitants of North Africa. It is believed that it originated in the twelfth century, although it can be very previous.
Wheat couscous (Couscous) is not exactly a cereal. Actually, it is a precooked dish that prepares quickly and easily. It looks like light yellow rice, but in structure and composition it resembles pasta.
It is made with thick ground wheat. Formerly it was a long and laborious process. The couscous was elaborated by women:
- They wet a small amount of water with semolina, coarse ground wheat.
- They sprinkled it with flour.
- They passed him through a sieve. The fell grains were sprayed again with water and battered in flour.
Then it was used to prepare various dishes.
Now, the elaboration process is much simpler. It is not necessary to spend a whole day with a strainer in the hands to create a tasty and healthy meal. The already prepared semolina is sold in stores.
The chemical composition of Cuscous
This cereal is lean. It is made from ground corn and water. However, it contains many useful and essential substances:
- VitaminsGroup B vitamins, E, K are the most important. They are necessary for the normal functioning of the nervous system, the synthesis of amino acids and hormones. Vitamin K intervenes in blood coagulation. Vitamin B5 improves immunity, helps with depression and insomnia.
- OLIGOEMENTS. It contains a lot of potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, etc. They are necessary to maintain hydrosaline balance, the cardiovascular system.
- Fatty acids. Regulate the organism’s work. Necessary for the creation of cell membranes, intervene in energy metabolism.
- Amino acids. In the cuscus, glutamic acid, proline, valine, cystine, isoleucine, etc. prevail etc. It is a valuable source of protein.
Couscous contains food fibers. They are not digested in the gastrointestinal tract, but improve the intestinal function.
Important: Cuscous, like other wheat cereals, contains gluten. It is not suitable for celiac.
Nutritional value and calories of couscous
Although couscous is lean, it is ideal for a balanced diet. It has a sufficient amount of AGL (proteins, fats, carbohydrates).
Nutritional value of boiled couscous (per 100 g of product)*.
| Name | Amount |
| Caloric value | 331 kcal |
| Fats | 1. 5 г |
| Dietary fiber | 1. 4 г |
| Proteins | 13 г |
| Carbohydrates | 68 г |
* Data may vary according to the manufacturer, since the couscous is made with different types of wheat. The exact specifications appear in the container.
Cuscous contains a significant amount of essential nutrients, so it is considered a healthy product.
The benefits of couscous
It is recommended by nutritionists and gastroenterologists. Cuscous is a valuable source of vitamins and minerals. It contains almost all types of amino acids.
Useful properties of couscous:
- Reduces cholesterol levels, essential to create HDL (high density lipoproteins) healthy;
- regulates the work of the digestive system;
- Potassium and zinc of Cuscous are important to the heart;
- copper, prevents joint diseases;
- It helps reinforce the immune system (group B vitamins);
- regulates sex hormones synthesis (tocopherol)
- Prevents the formation of renal calculations when regulating water-ex-metabolism.
It is recommended as a dietary food for various diseases. Cuscous can be consumed by young children and pregnant women. It is an adequate food for athletes. In case of certain diseases, its consumption must be limited or avoid it completely.
Is couscous to lose weight?
Cuscous is mainly composed of easy digestion carbohydrates that require little or no energy to be processed. Cuscous is a very caloric food. It is recommended with certain restrictions to lose weight:
- take into account the “calorie calculator” (coma only the minimum necessary);
- It is better breakfast couscous gachas (it will give you energy and all calories will be well spent);
- It is better to prepare it as garrison.
Cuscous is ideal for a balanced diet. It is important not to eat in excess and not forget physical activity.
For pancreatitis
In case of acute pancreatitis, fasting is usually recommended during the first days. You can start eating from the third day with light purees. Ausa porridge are added to the diet after 2 weeks.
For patients with pancreatitis, it is recommended that couscús be well cooked (it is not enough to pour boiling water, as recommended in most containers, but must be cooked over low heat for at least 5 minutes). In order not to overload the pancreas, it is better to chop it in the blender.
A delicious and healthy soup in vegetable broth is prepared, which patients with pancreatitis can take.
For diabetics
Cuscous is rich in simple carbohydrates. The glycemic index (IG) depends on the type of wheat used for its elaboration. The most common IG is 60.
It is a high value and diabetic patients should be careful when consuming this product.
You can eat, but rarely and in small quantities.
For intestines
Cuscous is contraindicated in celiac patients due to its gluten content (it affects 1% of the population). Food grain proteins damage the villi of the intestine with this disorder. This prevents the absorption of nutrients, especially vitamins. In adults, this pathology is manifested by:
- fatigue;
- weakness;
- steatorrhea (pale and greasy feces);
- excessive weight loss;
- hypo and avitaminosis.
Cuscous is also undesirable in case of acute intestinal inflammation. A strict diet is recommended during this period.
If there are no such pathologies, couscous is essential for the normal functioning of the digestive system. You have to know if the couscous is spooky or laxative before consuming it.
It all depends on how it is cooked:
- When boiled for a short time, food fibers are not destroyed. In this case, couscous increases intestinal peristalsism and is a natural laxative. These porridge are recommended to patients suffering from constipation.
- Instead, creamy porridge and soups are tightening. The boiled cuscous is recommended in case of diarrhea.
It is not necessary to sel f-medicate. In case of intestinal diseases, follow a diet recommended by a gastroenterologist.
You can eat couscous after poisoning.
After poisoning it is recommended to take liquid soups, porridge that do not load the stomach and, nevertheless, provide the necessary substances to the body. Cuscous meets these requirements and, therefore, is included in the diet. The main thing is that
- It must be a vegetable soup with semolina or a sem i-kid porridge;
- It is not necessary to salt and pepper food;
- Fruits or vegetables should be added to the porridge only boiled and well crushed.
Coma in small doses after poisoning, but at least 6 times a day. You must consult with your doctor the appropriate diet after poisoning.
During breastfeeding
Cuscous is not prohibited during breastfeeding. It is very digestive and contains many nutrients that help increase breastfeeding. As with other foods, it should be consumed with caution and in small portions. That day no other food should be introduced, to make sure that the baby is not allergic to couscous.
For pregnant women
Cuscous porridge are easy to digest and do not overcome the stomach. Pregnant women are recommended because it is:
- It is necessary for the healthy development of the child (vitamin E is especially essential);
- Reduce toxicosis symptoms
- Increase blood hemoglobin
- reinforces the immune system;
- It provides energy.
Cuscous has an inconvenience: it is rich in calories. Its consumption must be limited, especially in the third quarter. During this period, the diet must be balanced. The number of calories allowed is 3200-3400.
For children
As a complementary food, couscous should not be introduced before 8-9 months and only on the recommendation of the pediatrician. It is important to remember that it contains gluten. Celiacy in infants is manifested by:
- rickets;
- Development delays;
- hypotension;
- abdomen swelling;
- muscle hypotrophy.
In this case, the Cuscous is contraindicated. It can also cause allergic reactions.
If the child normally tolerates wheat porridge, the cereal is beneficial. It:
- It favors intellectual development;
- It contains essential vitamins and oligoelements;
- It is rich in protein necessary for muscle development.
It is advisable to give couscous for breakfast. Fruit is added, which makes it even more nutritious. Thanks to the substances it contains, the student is easier to deal with intellectual tasks. Gachas are good for physical development. It is also a valuable source of energy.
For athletes
Couscous is rich in protein. It contains a large number of essential amino acids. Athletes should consider a protein diet, especially if they want to increase their muscle mass.
Without protein only with physical activity you can not get a beautiful sculpted muscles.
In addition, Cuscous is full of trace elements and vitamins. This healthy porridge is energizing and active throughout the day.
Cuscous after training
Cuscous porridge is recommended after strenuous physical activity. Is:
- Do not overload the stomach
- It helps to increase muscle mass;
- An essential source of nutrients.
Cuscous after training helps recover more quickly.
Couscous in traditional medicine
Wheat cereals are good for health. That is why they are used a lot in traditional medicine.
Cuscous decoctions are recommended for pathologies treatment
- myocardial infarction
- apoplexy;
- ferropenic anemia;
- urogenital system diseases;
- arthritis.
It is used to make compresses for skin conditions. It is advisable to consult a dermatologist before performing such experiments.
Cuscous porridge are good for the diseases of the digestive system.
The substances that make up the cereal have a positive effect on the psych o-emotional state. Cuscous helps fight depression, apathy and insomnia.
The cuscous in cosmetology
Sem i-finished wheat is used in cosmetology. It is used to make facial exfoliants. They improve the status of the skin and make it firmer.
For it:
- Cereals mix with an egg yolk.
- The mixture is applied in the face for 20 minutes.
- Clarify gently.
Cereals detoxify the skin. The mixture nourishes the skin with vitamins and minerals.
Use cuscous for brittle nails boiled cereals. Peach and almond oil are added. Put on the nails, wrap with cellophane or wear polyethylene gloves. Wash after 20 minutes.
The regular remedy application helps restore the structure of the nail plate, makes it less brittle.
Damage and contraindications
Cuscous is tasty and healthy. It is rich in nutrients, it is ideal for a balanced diet, but for some diseases it is forbidden to eat, or eat only in limited amounts.
It is not recommended for:
- Celiacía;
- Acute pancreatitis;
- Intestinal inflammation (ileitis, colitis, crohn disease, etc.);
- perforated peptic ulcer;
- an exacerbation of peptic ulcer disease;
- acute gastritis;
- Mellitus diabetes;
- Allergy to wheat proteins.
You should consult a specialist before including couscous in your diet. For some diseases, even the way to prepare food makes a difference.
How to prepare couscous
The easiest way to prepare couscous is to pour boiling water in proportion 1: 1, cover well and let stand for 10 minutes. Season with salt and spices to taste.
Preparation instructions may vary according to the manufacturer. Different types of wheat are used for couscous and special techniques are applied. That is why it is advisable to read the container instructions before cooking.
In addition to the classic method, it is possible to use other options to prepare tasty and healthy dishes:
- cook porridge with milk instead of water;
- Add fruit, sugar (if a diet is followed, it should be taken into account when calculating calories)
- cook soups;
- Guisar with vegetables.
Ausa porridge alone are healthy and tasty, but you can diversify your diet making them different meals. They are not only tastier, but also healthier. For example, couscous does not contain vitamin A, but carrots yes. If you get the porridge with fried carrots in olive oil, they will contain carotene, which will be assimilated by the body.
Here are the recipes of the most popular dishes created with wheat cuscus.
Soup with couscous
A tasty and dietary soup dish with couscous and chicken.
To prepare it, it is better to take a steak. Other parts of the chicken can also be used. If you want to follow a healthy diet, take off your skin, since it is not very healthy. Divide meat into portions.
- Boil 500 g of chicken meat in 2 liters of water. Boil for about an hour over low heat so that the water boils slightly. Remove the foam periodically.
- While the broth is cooked, prepare vegetables. Grate the carrots (60 g) with a medium graceful and finely chop the onion (1 median). If there are no contraindications, it is better to fry them in a little vegetable oil.
- Peel and cut 250 g of potatoes.
- If frying before adding the potatoes, throwing the onion and carrot in the soup. Boil for 10 minutes. Then add the potatoes. Thus it is guaranteed that the vegetables are well cooked.
- If there are no contraindications, first the potatoes prepared in the boiling broth are thrown. Cook for 20 minutes. Add salt and spices to taste.
- Then put the onions and fried carrots.
- Add 50 g of cuscous. Take the soup to boil and turn off the fire. Cover well and let stand for 10 to 15 minutes.
The soup is ready. Test and season with fresh herbs (dill, parsley) before serving.
Garrison of couscous and vegetables
This garnish is served with fish and meat dishes. To prepare it
- In a little vegetable oil (better olive or corn), fry the carrots cut into dice (1 median).
- Add the finely chopped onion (1 medium onion).
- Cut a small and young zucchini with immature seeds into dice. Add to carrots and roasted onion.
- Finely pica 1 large red pepper and add it to the onion and carrots.
- Chop 3 medium tomatoes and add them to cooking garrison.
- Pour 1 tablespoon of couscous into the pan with the vegetables. Suter slightly with vegetables.
- Pour 1 tablespoon of water, preferably chicken broth.
- Test and season with salt and condiments. The best is ground black pepper, saffron and paprika.
- In the end, add 2 finely chopped or chopped garlic cloves.
This dish can be used not only as garrison, but also as an independent dish.
I tabulated with cuscous
The tabulé is a salad. It prepares like this:
- Cueza 200 g of couscous in slightly salted water following the instructions. The couscous should crumble.
- Cut the fresh cucumber, tomato and sweet pepper into fine dice.
- Add fresh herbs. Choose according to your preferences. In the tabulé, parsley, dill (3-5 twigs), onions of green (5 feathers) is usually added. For lovers – mint, basil.
Mix all the ingredients. Gill the salad with a little lemon juice and vegetable oil.
The taste and quality of the dishes depend on the correct conservation of the oatmeal. Therefore, before using it you have to check the expiration date and if it is dry or has broken down.
How to keep the couscous
The expiration date and conservation conditions appear in the container. The homemade couscous should be consumed immediately.
It must be kept in a dry and dark place.
Reviews
Opinions about couscous depend on the manufacturer. It is better to choose reliable and tested brands.
Here are examples of positive opinions:
Lina Bubamara: “Cuscous is a tasty and dietary meal in 5 minutes. I did not like the smell and taste of normal porridge. I have found a wonderful use for the cuscous. I cook it with vegetables. It is delicious and healthy.
Yanalera: “We tried couscous as guest. Now we cannot stop. It is one of the most tasty and cheap dishes.”
Negative comments refer to unscrupulous producers, breach of storage conditions.
Cuscous, if there are no contraindications for this cereal, is an excellent option for tasty and healthy food.
