‘The grass is greener on the other side.’

You must have heard about the benefits of chia seeds, quinoa, and oats.

But do you know about the health benefits of bajra, jowar, and ragi?

In spite of being a native grain, consumption of millets has declined by 47% in India. Millets, being the most ancient grain, have been in consumption for over thousands of years. The mention of millets can be found in ancient Yajurveda texts and their consumption pre-dates the Indian Bronze Age (4500 BC)!

Millets were the original crops of India. Wheat was, in fact, introduced by the British and promoted by foreign countries. Slowly, wheat products became the gold-standard of food in India.

Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR) says more than 50% of India’s produce is being exported to other countries, while the domestic consumption of millets as food staples is declining due to various factors like –

–  growing urbanisation

–  low social status attached to millets

–  lack of awareness on nutrition values and health benefits

Let’s quickly look at SOME benefits:

• Millets grow like weeds, so most of them are naturally non-GMO and pesticide free; this makes them naturally organic.
• Millets are known for their high drought-tolerance, can be grown in areas with infertile soils, under non-irrigated conditions and have low carbon footprint.
• Millets aren’t genetically modified; hence, they are quick to cook.
• Millets give you more satiety, helping with weight loss. Millets release small quantities of glucose into your blood slowly so it keeps you full for a longer time, promotes gut health, and boosts immunity as it is a powerhouse of nutrition.
• Millets are packed with macronutrients like protein and fibre and also have traces of minerals and vitamins.
• Being high in calcium, iron, folate, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, vitamins, and antioxidants, millets are heart-friendly and diabetes friendly too.
• Millets are gluten-free and the only go-to option for gluten-allergic people. It is perfect for weight watchers or PCOD/PCOS women as it has a low glycemic index.

Millets are not only easily available but are also the most versatile grain that can be cooked in various forms. Here are some recipes to explore.

So instead of looking west for superfoods, let us look back into our traditional diets and uncover superfoods like millets. Because – the grass on our side is green, too, and it continues to grow in adverse conditions yet has only high nutritional output!

Thanks to clever marketing, millets have been considered a poor man’s food. It’s time to ensure that it is known as a healthy man’s food! Here’s a big nudge:

2023 has been declared the International Year of Millets by United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

The world is appreciating the green grass in India; where are we seeking inspiration?!

(This informative article is credited to SkyRoots.)