Why Millets Are Becoming India's Superfood Again

For years, polished rice and wheat did take the centre stage while millets were considered to be the food choices of our grandparents. But the time is changing, nowadays it is quite common to see the cafes serving millet bowls and parents preferring millets for their younger ones. Even the The UN even recognized 2023 as the International Year of Millets to acknowledge their nutritional significance, sustainability, and contribution to world food security.

But why the sudden hype around these ancient grains?

Here it wouldn’t be wrong to say that the hype has always been there; its just that we just did not notice. With increasing usage of social media and fitness culture millets are gaining popularity as “millet superfood” for their better nutritional values and verssatatlity. So, let understand a little more about millet and understand the real reasosn of their sudden popularity.

Why Are Millets Being Called A Superfood?

We all have heard the word superfood a lot of times in instagram reels. But this term definitely deserve attention when it comes to millets as naturally they are rich in multiple nutrients like - fiber, protein, iron, magnesium, antioxidants and many more.

As per the Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR) millets are considered "nutri-cereals", since their nutritional value exceeds that of many other grains.

The Science Behind Millet Benefits

There is a reason why nutritionists keep on emphasizing the importance of millets.

According to a systematic review in Frontiers in Nutrition, consuming millets regularly can help in:

Regulating blood glucose levels
Heart health
Creating a feeling of fullness
Improving gut health via dietary fibre

Moreover, an Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR) review indicates that millets are a good source of slowly digestible carbohydrates and dietary fibre.

Although no food alone can act like a cure-all, consuming millets as part of a healthy diet can definitely help you out.

1. Millets Help You Stay Fuller For Longer

Do you feel hungry one hour after having breakfast? It is because your diet is mostly composed of refined carbohydrates, which get digested in no time.

The presence of fiber content in millets helps to slow down digestion and ensures satiety. When combined with fat and protein-rich foods, you get a long-lasting meal option.

This is why The Cinnamon Kitchen Berry & Banana Millet Granola makes for a perfect breakfast option. It can be eaten along with yogurt, fresh fruits or even straight from the pack.

2. They're Naturally Gluten-Free

One of the major reasons for the increasing popularity of millets is that they are naturally gluten free.

While not all individuals require gluten-free diets, many individuals looking for a low-gluten diet can appreciate the benefits of grains that are both tasty and healthy.

All the products offered by The Cinnamon Kitchen are made from millet-containing grains in our 100% gluten-free kitchen environment.

3. Better For Your Gut

The health of the gut is currently one of the hottest topics when it comes to nutrition, and rightly so as a healthy gut plays an important role in digestion, immunity and overall well-being of an individual.

Millets contain dietary fibers which are really important for gut microbiota. So, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that selecting whole grains over refined grains is a simple way of ensuring better nutrition.

4. A Sustainable Grain For The Future

Not only do millets benefit us, but they also benefit the environment.

When compared to most conventional crops, millets tend to be:

More water-efficient
Suited to dry conditions
Require few inputs
Climate-resilient

This is one reason why the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) continues to recommend the growing of millets across the world.

Millets offer more than nutrition; they also offer sustainability.

5. Surprisingly Versatile

The one thing that people always assume about millets is that they are hard to prepare.

The truth is that millets are quite versatile and can be incorporated into many different things, including:

Breakfasts
Granola
Cookies
Crackers
Bread
Cakes
Smoothies
Energy bars

We have managed to incorporate our millets into snacks and desserts that people love at The Cinnamon Kitchen. Our bakery website also features a range of millet-based baked treats, from brownies and cookies to granola and other wholesome snacks.

Our Berry & Banana Millet Granola is perfect for breakfast, while our Crispy Millet Pita offers an oven-baked alternative to conventional chips. Even our Cacao & Walnut Millet Brownie brings millets into dessert without compromising on indulgence.

Easy Ways To Eat More Millets

Incorporating millets into your diet does not have to mean totally remodeling your kitchen.

Ideally, it should be done slowly.

You could:

Substitute refined foods with millets.
Put millet granola in yogurt or bowl smoothies.
Eat millet bread with almond butter.
Consume millet crackers with hummus.
Switch from one refined food a day to a millet product.

Small and steady changes can create big impacts.

Common Myths About Millets

1. Millets Aren’t Tasty

Well, that’s not true, as it all depends on the recipe. We at Cinnamon Kitchen use millets in cookies, granola, and various other snacks and desserts, which are healthy and tasty..

2. Millets Are Suitable Only For Old People

Wrong! Millets are rich in various nutrients and Vitamins necessary for all age groups. Also it is always better if you introduce millets during the early years of child development.

3. Millets Inclusion in Daily Life Is Complex

Many people consider it quite difficult to include millets in daily life, but the reality is quite the opposite, as you do not need very complex recipes. Also nowadays, ready-to-eat foods have made their inclusion very convenient.

Millets are not a fad at The Cinnamon Kitchen. Millets are one of the ingredients that we have always relied on. From our Berry & Banana Millet Granola, Crispy Millet Pita to our Millet Brownies and even our gluten-free products, we ensure that we choose our ingredients wisely to produce tasty yet functional products. Since healthy food doesn’t have to be boring.

Conclusion

The comeback of millets is not merely a fleeting fad among foods. Rather, they mark the revival of food choices which have long fed families across India. High in fiber, naturally free of gluten, and highly flexible, millets are every bit deserving of their moniker of “millet superfood”.

From starting your day with some millet granola, munching on a crisp millet snack in the middle of the day to having some millet based dessert later on in the day, every little change adds up to healthier eating. Sometimes, the answer to a healthier diet lies in our past.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can millets be eaten every day?

Yes. You can have them regularly with variation in types of millets to help increase your diversity of meal choices.

2. Which millet has the highest protein?

Foxtail millet, proso millet and pearl millet have relatively high levels of protein. You can combine millets with other foods like legumes, dairy or nuts for balance.

3. Are millets suitable for children?

Sure, you can easily add millets in porridge, pancakes or baking or even snacks.

4. How should millets be stored?

Grains of millet and millet products should be stored in airtight containers away from sunlight and kept in a dry and cool place.

5. Can millets replace rice and wheat completely?

Of course, but it is generally suggested that you eat various kinds of whole grains instead of just one kind of grain in order to get the best of all.