Is couscous gluten free? The Real Answer, Revealed

It may have crossed your mind, "Is couscous gluten free?"  Many people have spoken about it as a healthy alternative to pasta and sometimes rice. Nevertheless, for it to be gluten-free, there are many guidelines that it would have to meet.  You may have asked yourself, "Does it meet the standard requirements of being considered gluten-free?"

Well, this article is here to peel away your wonderment and give an answer to that question you've been waiting for, "Is couscous gluten free?"

According to the FDA website, if a food is deemed gluten-free, it consists of little to no gluten ingredients at all. This is for the benefit of those with health issues that are affected by gluten products.  It is widely known that individuals with celiac disease can tolerate these low amounts of gluten in foods while still maintaining their health.  These labels help individuals to better determine the foods that will contribute to their health and overall well-being.

What is gluten and is couscous gluten free?

The FDA defines gluten on their website as, a type of protein found in rye, wheat, barley, and other variations of the same grains.  It goes on to explain that gluten is typically found in foods like pasta, bread, cereal, cake, and many others. Then, the question arises again, "Is couscous gluten free? What do you know about gluten-free products so far?  Are any of those items classified within the ingredients of couscous?

Well, let's examine the components that couscous consists of.  Couscous is made from grains of durum wheat.  Do you remember how the FDA defined gluten?  They clearly stated that gluten is found in rye, wheat, barley, and other variations of the same grains.

Once again, is couscous gluten free?  It inherently contains an element that consists of wheat grain.  Is couscous gluten free?  Unless otherwise specified, it is always safe to assume that couscous products are not gluten-free.  They are, by definition, made of wheat, which naturally has gluten within its compounds.

Nevertheless, there are couscous products available that can be made with a gluten-free ingredients.  Therefore, when in doubt about whether a product is gluten-free or not, be sure to read the label or ask questions accordingly.  Err on the side of safety.

When it comes to couscous, gluten-free products can be considered far and few between.  Even though they are not very common, gluten-free couscous products do, in fact, exist.  Some of the food brands that carry these products are by Lundberg Family Farms, Wholesome Kitchen, and Goldbaum's.  All of these companies carry couscous that is produced with gluten-free ingredients with great nutritional value.  Each brand produces a comparable alternative to couscous, only gluten-free.  Their products can be found online and in selected grocery stores.

As it pertains to eating couscous in restaurants, it is essential to always think of safety first.  Especially, if you have celiac disease or are non-celiac, with gluten-sensitivity, you must eat later and ask questions first.  Is couscous gluten-free?  Be sure to consult the waiter to see if the couscous they serve is, indeed, gluten-free.  It is better to know for sure than to simply make assumptions and, in turn, compromise your health.  Brown rice and quinoa can also be used as great substitutes.

There are quite a few gluten-free couscous options to choose from.  Find the one that best suits your needs!

The defining moment has arrived!  Your gluten-free options of couscous have become clear.  What should you do now?  Choose the one that best suits you!  It may not be as easy as it sounds, in fact, it may be more of a process than an instantaneous decision.

It's up to you to give it a try.  Give it time if necessary.  You may even choose to do a little research on the various companies and their gluten-free couscous products before moving forward.  Regardless of your approach, this is a journey and it's worth starting today!  If you are used to enjoying couscous and your dietary needs include gluten-free foods, things have not changed entirely.  You can still enjoy couscous!  There are gluten-free alternatives of the exact same food now available at your fingertips!

Company	Couscous Alternative Products	Flavors or Variations Offered
Lundberg Family Farms	Gluten-free roasted brown rice couscous	Plain and Mediterranean
Wholesome Kitchen	Millet-based couscous	Plain, Garden Vegetable and Fruit & Nut
Goldbaum’s	Israeli couscous, made of potato starch, egg whites, and tapioca starch	Plain/Original

Is it possible to locate couscous that is gluten-free?

1. Where can you find couscous that is, in fact, made of gluten-free products?
2. What are gluten-free alternatives to couscous?
3. Should I eat the couscous served in restaurants?
4. Do gluten-free couscous products offer the same nutritional value or better than other leading products?