Why should we eat millets

Why Should We Eat Millets

History of Millets

Millets are a group of highly variable small-seeded grasses, widely grown around the world as cereal crops or grains for human food and as fodder. In India, millets have been mentioned in some of the oldest Yajurveda texts, identifying foxtail millet (priyangava), Barnyard millet (aanava) and black finger millet (shyaamaka), thus indicating that millet consumption was very common, pre-dating to the Indian Bronze Age (4,500BC).

Even until 50 years ago millet was the major grain grown in India. From a staple food and integral part of local food cultures, just like many other things,  millets have come to be looked down upon by modern urban consumers as “coarse grains” – something that their village ancestors may have lived on, but that they had left behind and exchanged for a more “refined” diet. Unfortunately, this said refined diet lacks the nutrients critically important for us (food should be as local and wholesome as possible).

Benefits of Millets

Millet is a good source of carbohydrates and fibre like other grains. It is a good source of nutrients, minerals, vitamins and organic compounds that can boost human health in various ways.

The biggest advantage of millets is they ensure complete nutrition to every age group. It acts as a good substitute for commercial, branded and expensive food.

A quick look at the amazing benefits of millets

  • Millet is one of the healthiest grains to add to your diet if you want to protect your heart. It is a rich source of magnesium, an important mineral for BP, heart attack or stroke.
  • It is a great source of potassium.
  • It is a gluten-free whole grain. It has a low glycaemic index which has a positive effect in fighting against diabetics.
  • It aids in easy digestion.
  • It helps to prevent asthma symptoms.

Special recipes made of millets

  Millets are a healthy substitute for rice and act as a good carbohydrate to our daily food intake. Millets are a good addition to all types of food, breakfast, lunch or snacks. There are several recipes one can make using millets.

One of the most common recipes is millet porridge a.k.a Sathumaavu in Tamil. Various millets are combined along with healthy fats like dry fruits to make a healthy porridge for the entire family.

Millets can also be used to prepare the following:

-A good substitute for Rice/Wheat

-Millet Pongal/Upma

-Millet Salad

-Millet Fritters

-Vegan Millet Sushi

-Millet Patties

-Millet Pesarattu Dosa and the list is endless.

Why Indian Millets are famous?

Indian homegrown millets are from the soil that we are all used to consume food from. The typical Indian millets have enormous benefits.

India is the highest producer of Pearl millet / Bajra. It is very high in proteins and good for porridge and rotis.

The Finger millet also is known as Raagulu/Ragi/Nachani/Panji pullo from Karnataka has the highest calcium content.

Foxtail millet also is known as Korralu/Navane/Thinai/Rala/Thina/Kakum/Kang is the 2nd most produced in the world and has the highest mineral content of all millets.

Kodo Millet also popularly known as Arikelu/Arika/Varagu/Kodra/Koovaragu/Kodon/Kodri is high in fibre and is a good energy booster. It is ideal for diabetes and can be substituted for rice.

Little Millet/Samalu/Same/Samai/Vari/Chama/Kutki/Kuri has the highest fat content and is consumed commonly as bread, dosas, rotis & rice.

Barnyard Millet also called Udhalu/Oodhalu/Kuthiravaali/Bhagar/Varai grows faster and has the highest fiber & iron amongst its fellow millets.

Sorghum/Jowar is the hardy grain that is consumed all over India as Rotis & porridge because of its high protein + carbohydrates and energy composition.

So, Indian Millets equals to wholesome nutrition. Desiauthentic brings to you authentic organic Indian millets directly from farmers.

Purchase authentic Indian organic millets online from https://www.desiauthentic.com

 

 

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