For a meal for one, start by comparing the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g of dry couscous, rather than treating ‘reduced sugar’ as a type of couscous. Then choose according to your priority: plain couscous if you want to check the ingredients at a glance, semi-wholewheat or wholewheat if you’re comparing fibre, or cooking bags if portioning matters more. ‘No added sugars’ does not mean ‘reduced in sugars’, and the contents of a bag won’t necessarily be the right amount for your meal.
You want to distinguish the amount shown in the nutrition information from the claims ‘no added sugars’ and ‘reduced in sugars’. Compare dry couscous per 100 g, then check the ingredients in your toppings separately.
You want to prepare an appropriate amount without having to measure it out of a large pack every time. The weight of a cooking bag can be a useful guide, which you can adjust to suit the rest of your meal.
You’re choosing between classic, semi-wholewheat and wholewheat couscous. Check the fibre content of each product rather than judging its composition by its name alone.
When choosing couscous for a meal for one, start with what matters most to you: checking the sugars, portioning or fibre. Then check the dry portion and what you plan to serve with it.
| Factor | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars and claims | Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g of dry product and read the exact wording of any claim on the packaging. | If I’m keeping an eye on the sugars in my meal, I want to distinguish the figure for the couscous from a claim about the product. Around 45% of consumers make checking sugars and claims their priority. |
| Portioning and preparation | Check the weight of the bag or the recommended portion, as well as the preparation instructions. | If I want to prepare my meal without measuring out a large quantity, I prefer to know exactly how much to use from the start. Portioning and convenience come ahead of other factors for around 33% of consumers. |
| Type of couscous and fibre | Check whether the couscous is classic, semi-wholewheat or wholewheat, then compare the fibre per 100 g. | When I choose couscous for its fibre, the figure for the specific product matters more to me than its name alone. This is the main priority for around 22% of consumers. |
These claims don’t mean the same thing. The DGCCRF points out that nutrition claims are governed by European Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. Couscous with no added sugars does not automatically carry a claim that it is reduced in sugars.
Read the exact wording on the pack and compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure on the same per-100 g basis.
The figure shown for the couscous does not cover the sauce, dried fruit or other accompaniments served with it.
Compare the couscous products first, then check the nutrition information for any added ingredients separately.
The Tipiak cooking bags featured by Carrefour France each contain 100 g. The product information for Auchan medium couscous recommends 80 to 100 g of dry product per person for a complete meal.
Check the weight of the bag and adjust the amount you prepare to suit your meal, rather than relying on the number of bags alone.
The wheat couscous products featured here contain gluten; information about possible traces varies between products.
If you need to avoid an ingredient or allergen, check the ingredients list and any statements on the packaging of the product you buy.
These products offer points of comparison for format, ingredients and nutrition information. The features mentioned don’t apply to every product from each brand.
Worth considering if you’re choosing between a pack of plain medium couscous and cooking bags.
Two products to compare separately if you’re looking at portions and figures per 100 g.
A retailer where you can compare different types of couscous according to the semolina you’re looking for.
A plain medium couscous product to compare with other durum wheat semolina options.
Another plain medium couscous product to compare packaging information with.
These products let you compare a bagged format, wholewheat couscous, plain medium couscous and pearl couscous. For a meal for one, compare the packaging and the label of each product before deciding how much to prepare.
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The bagged format makes portioning easier when you’re preparing a meal for one. Each bag contains 100 g, so decide how much to cook according to the other items on your plate. This wheat couscous contains gluten.
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This wholewheat version is a good option if you’re comparing types of semolina and fibre rather than individual portions. Measure out the amount you want from the 1 kg pack. ‘Wholewheat’ does not mean the product carries a ‘reduced in sugars’ claim. Contains gluten.
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This plain couscous in a large pack can be portioned to suit the meal you’re making. Compare its ‘of which sugars’ figure with those of other dry couscous products per 100 g; don’t assume this means it carries a sugar-reduction claim. Contains wheat and gluten; may contain traces of soya.
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This plain medium couscous lets you choose how much dry product to prepare for one person. If sugars are your main consideration, check the nutrition information for this specific product; a figure on its own isn’t enough to establish a ‘reduced in sugars’ claim. Contains gluten.
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If you’re considering pearl couscous rather than medium couscous, check that it’s the shape you want before comparing packs. The 900 g pack means measuring out the amount you need for a meal for one. Contains gluten.
No. The amount shown in the ‘of which sugars’ line does not, by itself, amount to a sugar-reduction claim. The DGCCRF points out that nutrition claims are governed by European Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. Read the exact wording on the product, then compare figures per 100 g on the same basis.
For its medium couscous product, Auchan France recommends 80 to 100 g of dry product per person for a complete meal. Use this as a guide, taking into account your accompaniments and the instructions on the pack you buy, rather than assuming one amount will suit every meal.
No. The Tipiak cooking bags featured by Carrefour France weigh 100 g each. Check whether this amount suits your planned meal before cooking a whole bag.
Not if it’s made from durum wheat semolina: the wheat products featured by Auchan France contain gluten. Carrefour France also features a maize couscous labelled gluten-free. Check the ingredients and allergen statements for the exact product before choosing it.
Keep it away from moisture and heat. Tipiak recommends transferring the contents of an opened pack to an airtight container, if possible. Also follow the storage instructions and date shown on your pack.