Healthy And Delicious Millet Foods To Include In Your Diet

Introduction

Many ancient grains are making a comeback in the health and wellness industry these days. This is mainly due to the simple and pure nutritional benefits they offer. Millet is one such "Supergrain" gaining constant attention from fitness enthusiasts and health conscious crowd. There are different types of millet snacks and food products introduced every day to help people enjoy the consumption of these grains. Here you will find more information on some of the most healthy and delicious millet foods that you can add in your diet.

What Are Millets?

Millets are small seeded cereal grains that have been a part of many cultures and civilizations for centuries. They belong to the Poeceae or grass family and have been cultivated for thousands of years, mainly in Asia and Africa. Unlike refined grains, millets are highly nutritious whole grains. Different types of millets are grown across the world. Some of the common types are:

• Pearl Millets (Bajra) - This millet type is known for their high iron content and energizing properties. 

• Proso Millet - Packed with high amounts of proteins and essential amino acids.

• Foxtail Millet - An ideal candidate for controlling diabetes and in supporting heart health. 

• Finger Millet (Ragi) - Rich calcium content makes it ideal for maintaining bone health. 

• Barnyard Millet - Ideal for weight loss due to their low calorie content. 

• Kodo Millet - Ideal for digestion and in maintaining gut health.

• Little Millet - Ideal for brain functions due to the rich B vitamins content.
  

Above mentioned are some of the common millet variants consumed by people around the globe. Their taste, texture and nutritional benefits vary from one type to another. So, you can easily choose the right type of millet based food products based on your unique needs and goals. 

Best Millet Based Foods To Try

1. Millet Flour

One of the most common and sought after millet products is its flour. The high edibility and versatility of millet flour makes it an ideal replacement for wheat flour. From pancakes and breads to dessert and cookies, it is perfect for baking. Apart from enriching these foods with nutrients, millet flour also provides a very unique nutty taste to the baked goods. Due to its natural gluten free nature, millets are also considered as an ideal choice for people with gluten sensitivity and celiac disease. Millet flour can be used for preparing a variety of dishes like rotis, breads, porridge, smoothies, desserts and other crispy snacks. 

2. Millet Cereals

If you are looking for some simple ready to go options, millet cereals could be the best choice for you. They can be power packed breakfast options filled with nutrition. Due to the high fiber content of millets, you do not have to worry about feeling hungry just a few hours after your breakfast. You can eat them as flakes, puffs or granolas. Unlike the other cereals that are made using maida, millet cereals promote healthy digestion, and regulates the blood sugar levels due to its high fiber content. It’s versatility allows you to enjoy it with different types of toppings like fruits, nuts and seeds. 

3. Millet Porridge 

Millet porridge is a comforting and nutritious option you can consider for breakfast. In fact, unsweetened millet porridge is also given to toddlers as they are highly nutritious and also easy to digest. On the other hand, different types of millet porridges are also famous in Asian and African countries. With its high fiber and carbohydrate content, millet porridge generates energy throughout the day. They are also suitable for people with high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.

4. Millet Foods Through Noodles

Another fun way to enjoy millet is in the form of millet noodles. They are a perfect alternative to the traditional noodles as they are also gluten free. These noodles are made using different types of millets that will help you to have many vitamins and minerals without compromising on the taste. They can be used in Asian cuisines for preparing stir fries, soups and salads. 

5. Light and Crispy Ragi Chips - Creative Millet Foods

If you are looking for some crispy snacks that you can enjoy without compromising on your health, the light and crispy ragi chips from Healthy Master could be the best option. deUp fried nlike the traditional chips, the light and crispy variations is a great way to enjoy all the nutrients that millets offers without compromising on your health. They are low in calories and suitable for people with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease.

It does not matter which form of millet you want to include in your snack routine, they are healthy snacks that you can rely on. They provide an extremely good supply of nutrients to you on a day to day basis. Being gluten free and low in glycemic index also makes them ideal for people with any dietary preferences. 

Noteworthy Benefits of Millet Foods

• Millets are an excellent source of minerals like iron, magnesium and phosphorus.

• They regulate blood sugar levels and promote healthy digestion. 

• They provide sustained energy and keep you full for a longer period of time. 

• With limited calories and fats, these snacks are also suitable for people looking for weight management. 

• Millets are ideal for people who are looking for pure plant based protein.

Conclusion

Above mentioned are some of the best millet foods and snacks you can add in your diet. As you can see above, unlike the snacks that are made using refined flour and sugar, millet snacks are very nutritious and perfect for any dietary needs. All you have to do is to choose the right type of snacks you need from Healthy Master to enjoy the goodness of millets everyday. 

FAQs

1. How can I include millets in my diet?
   You can include millets in your diet in various forms like millet flour, noodles, cereals, snacks or in the form of different beverages.

2. What are the 5 common types of millets?
   The 5 common types of millets are pearl, proso, foxtail, finger and barnyard millets. 

3. Does millet come under the rice category?
   No, millets do not come under the rice category. They belong to the Poeceae family. 

4. Can I eat millets in the form of snacks?
   Yes! We at Healthy Master have made different types of millet based snacks to help people enjoy them in tasty and creative ways. 

5. Where can I order millet snacks?
   You can easily order millet snacks from the official website Healthy Master or other e-commerce sites like amazon and flipkart.