Healthy Living - The Millet Way

A healthy balanced diet, clean water, regular exercise, plenty of sleep, non-smoking, moderate alcohol consumption, and keeping a check on your mental and physical health are all vital for a lifestyle that will benefit your health.

The one thing that we can control is what we put in our mouths. For the body to get the right nutrients to provide sustainable energy, you are gearing to lower your risk of getting serious lifestyle diseases, like heart disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, and cancers. Although there’s a huge hype about various dieting fads and numerous weight loss measures, not much has been mentioned about an age-old grain called Millet, which has a good source of protein, fiber, key vitamins, and minerals. The amazing health benefits of millet aid in protecting cardiovascular health, preventing the onset of diabetes, achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, and managing gut health.

A low-maintenance and drought-resistant grain, Millet has been around for thousands of years. It has been mentioned in the Old Testament ( bible ) and even in texts from Ancient Greek and Rome. It was fed to livestock but consumer interest has intensified in recent years. Even though it’s still a lesser-known grain, its rapid growth and the fact that it takes almost half the time as rice and wheat to mature with far better nutritional benefits make Millet the ideal crop.

In India, it’s already making its historic presence in rotis and chapatis which is an integral part of the Indian diet but not much has been known about the nutritional benefits of millet locally until research conducted by the Indian Institute of Millets Research, led by Dr. B. Dayakar Rao, who is making awareness amongst the curious. Extremely versatile, easy to digest, and readily available in India, Millet is easy to use in various recipes. After listening to Dr. Rao the other day, I can conclude that the amount of protein and fiber along with other essential nutrients found in Millet flour is far superior to any ordinary wheat.

With the majority of the Indian population living below the poverty line and having their nutritional needs severely compromised, the current government led by PM Modi is participating and making awareness in a bid to promote healthy eating. Millet is being looked at from an affordable perspective and to boost the nutritional requirements, it is considered a better option than standard rice and wheat. I am no scientist, nutritionist, or doctor but from the perspective of a foodie, I fully understand and appreciate the science behind this amazing health product.